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
The Night Watchman
Centered around the threat of the U.S. Government’s Termination of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa tribe in North Dakota, Louise Erdrich’s novel The Night Watchman takes us on an Indigenous journey inspired by her grandfather, Patrick Gourneau, a former tribal chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and a night watchman.
Tohono O’odham Community College Pre-College GED program
The Tohono O’odham Community College’s Pre-College GED Program has spent the past year and a half creating an efficient GED program suited for the realities their students face every day.
February 24: TCUs and Native American-Serving Institutions Webinar
Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, will present a webinar on February 24, 2022, from 1-2 PM Eastern Time (11-12 PM Mountain Time) about how Tribal Colleges and Universities and rural Native-serving institutions connect Indigenous students to their identity through place-based education.
President Cheryl Crazy Bull of American Indian College Fund: Statement About the Washington Commanders Football Team Name Change
I can’t think of a better metaphor for the need for respectful visibility of Native people in America than the Washington football team’s announcement that it will be changing its name to the Commanders—on Groundhog Day. At the American Indian College Fund, we are relieved that the Washington team has finally changed its former offensive name.
American Indian College Fund Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for Academic Year 2022-23
Native students across the country can make their career dreams a reality with an American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship. Applications open online February 1, 2022, at www.collegefund.org/scholarships, for students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in the 2022-2023 academic year. Applications must be received by May 31, 2022.
American Indian College Fund’s Tiffany Gusbeth, VP of Student Success Services, Named A “Leading for Equity” Fellow
Tiffany Gusbeth (Northern Cheyenne Nation), Vice President of Student Success Services at the American Indian College Fund, was one of 12 individuals chosen nationwide to participate in the inaugural cohort of Leading for Equity Fellowship program through the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and sponsored by UBS.
In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
On January 17 the nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his life’s work and contributions to civil rights in America. This year the commemoration is particularly poignant for Indian Country as we also mark the loss of Clyde Bellecourt, the last remaining founder of the Native American activist and civil rights group, the American Indian Movement (AIM).
American Indian College Fund Names 2021-22 Indigenous Visionaries
Indigenous community leaders create positive change in their communities. The American Indian College Fund is committed to developing women leaders across Indian Country through its Indigenous Visionaries Program in Tribal communities where tribal colleges and universities are located.
Native Teachers Vital for Community Success
Emily White Hat shares how the American Indian College Fund’s Wounspekiya Unspewicakiyapi Native teacher education program at tribal colleges and universities will recruit, develop, and retain skilled K-12 teachers in Indian Country.
Sandy Packo of American Indian College Named a First Peoples Fund Fellow
Sandy Packo (Iñupiaq), College Readiness Program Administrator at the American Indian College Fund, was named an inaugural Education Fellow for the First Peoples Fund’s We the Peoples Before 25th Anniversary Celebration of Native Cultural Expression and Sovereignty event.
