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

National Day of Racial Healing

National Day of Racial Healing

The National Day of Racial Healing in January helps citizens acknowledge how racism has harmed people and communities to enable collective healing in order to build a more equitable nation. Here at the American Indian College Fund, we believe one key aspect of racial healing is creating greater visibility and representation of Native people.

Grandma Ruth

Grandma Ruth

Join us in celebrating another post in the Elder Story Series brought to you by the American Indian College Fund. Storyteller Savanah Smith of Fort Peck Community College shares stories of her Grandma Ruth.

American Indian College Fund Announces Five-Year Grant Totaling More Than $38 Million to Help Increase Native Student Enrollment, Retention, and Career Readiness at 25 Tribal Colleges and Universities

American Indian College Fund Announces Five-Year Grant Totaling More Than $38 Million to Help Increase Native Student Enrollment, Retention, and Career Readiness at 25 Tribal Colleges and Universities

The American Indian College Fund is honored to receive more than $38 million in grant funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support “Culture at the Heart: An Indigenous Approach to Enrollment and Retention.” This program supports efforts to improve the educational attainment of American Indian and Alaska Native students at 25 tribal colleges and universities.