Indigenous Literacy Story Series

The Indigenous Literacy Story Series seeks to shift perceptions of literacy and education in tribal nation communities, provide evidence of literacy success and innovation in tribal nation communities, establish the College Fund as a resource and leader in literacy resources, and encourage innovation and collaboration within TCUs, across TCUs, and between Native inservice teachers.
This story series features guest writers from the College Fund, TCUs, and Native educators in the field.

Indigenous Literacy is:

A means of expressing and sustaining connection, culture, and sovereignty. 

The ability to communicate (tell stories, speak, write, create, teach, or demonstrate) and comprehend (listen, read, sense, interpret, view, learn, or practice). 

A starting point for Native people to co-create their environment in ways that are grounded in – and sustaining of – Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways of knowing. 

Relational and intergenerational, supporting kinship with each other, ancestors, and the land. 

Essential to thriving Indigenous communities.

Featured Stories

Seeing, Honoring, and Celebrating Our Two-Spirit Relatives

Seeing, Honoring, and Celebrating Our Two-Spirit Relatives

This Pride Month, the American Indian College Fund honors Two-Spirit relatives by exploring their cultural significance, resilience, and resurgence in Native communities. Featuring voices from Sitting Bull College, the blog highlights how 2SLGBTQ+ students and faculty are creating safe spaces, reclaiming identity, and strengthening community through visibility, advocacy, and tradition.

Iḷisaġvik College (IC) Program Keeps Arctic Cultural Knowledge Alive

Iḷisaġvik College (IC) Program Keeps Arctic Cultural Knowledge Alive

Iḷisaġvik College’s Native arts program is helping Alaska Native students in the Arctic Circle preserve and revitalize Iñupiaq cultural knowledge. Through hands-on learning, cultural camps, and curriculum development, students gain skills in traditional art forms, healing practices, and land-based knowledge while ensuring these traditions are documented and passed down to future generations.

Circle of Hope Spring 2026

| Spring 2026 |Circle of Hope Holding Onto HopeDear Friends and Relatives,As I write this, I’m filled with so much gratitude and hope as we wrap up the College Fund fiscal year and begin planning for the 2026-27 academic year. While this year has been a journey of ups...

Democracy is Something That Makes Us Heard and Part of a Community

Democracy is Something That Makes Us Heard and Part of a Community

In this student perspective, a Nebraska Indian Community College scholar explores how Indigenous governance systems have long practiced democratic principles, from the Iroquois Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace to tribal council decision-making today. The blog highlights how Native traditions of community voice, consensus-building, and shared responsibility continue to shape democracy and strengthen tribal communities.