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
Chief Dull Knife College Names Eva M. Flying as New College President
After a year-long search, Chief Dull Knife College is excited to announce Eva M. Flying as its new college President. She will be the 6th sitting President, and the first woman to occupy this role. She is deeply rooted in the Northern Cheyenne community and is a champion of enhancing lives through health and education.
The College Fund Remembers Dan Wieden
The American Indian College Fund staff, the students, and the many faculty and staff at the tribal colleges it serves are saddened to learn of the passing of our friend, Dan Wieden, co-founder of the international award-winning advertising agency and longtime College Fund supporter, Wieden+Kennedy.
Tribal Colleges Build Storytelling Capacity to Increase Visibility
In response to the need for greater communications outreach at TCUs, the American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) initiated a one-year pilot project to build communications capacity and visibility for TCUs. In November 2021, the College Fund moved forward with the project and selected a limited number of TCUs to participate.
Sovereign Nation Series: Native Votes Matter
I am asking my Indigenous relatives to vote despite, and because of, our knowledge about our history and contemporary experiences. Without our voices at the polls, we cannot rectify the ongoing harm to our people and to others that is a reflection of the political climate and how resources are distributed.
American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, Named as Member of the Thrive Leaders Network
The Kresge Foundation has named Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, a member of the newly created Thrive Leaders Network.
American Indian College Fund Publishes Volume Six of The Tribal College and University Research Journal
The American Indian College Fund published the latest volume of the Tribal College and University research journal. Volume 6 of the research journal contains case studies focused on topics such as seed germination, culture as a method to improve mental health, and methods for increasing Native student success.
The American Indian College Fund Announces 2022-23 Student Ambassadors
The American Indian College Fund selected and trained 11 new student ambassadors for its 2022-23 cohort. Now in its eighth year, the College Fund Student Ambassador Program gives Indigenous students the leadership and communications skills to create greater visibility of Native Americans and an understanding of the importance of their diverse cultures.
SIPI Engages a Virtual Dialogue to Improve Early Childhood Teacher Education Programming
SIPI Engages a Virtual Dialogue to Improve Indigenous Early Childhood Teacher Education Programming
The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute utilized its Ihduwiyayapi grant to consult community and Indigenous thought leaders to improve the Indigenous Early Childhood Education program curriculum and develop a virtual dialogue series of 4 guest lectures featuring Indigenous scholars and teachers.
American Indian College Fund Faculty Fellowships Develop Teaching and Research Expertise at Tribal Colleges and Universities
The American Indian College Fund’s faculty fellowship programs are creating greater education expertise in Indian Country, while building the academic and intellectual capacity of the 35 tribal colleges and universities it supports. In 2021-22 the College Fund awarded more than $366,150 to 22 faculty members.
College Fund Statement on Student Loan Forgiveness
The College Fund is pleased that President Biden has announced that individuals making under $125,000 a year may cancel $20,000 of their student loan debt. Affordable access to higher education for Indigenous students was lacking up until the 1960s and creating those pathways to higher education was the intention of the founders of the tribal college movement.
