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
American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills Name Chelysa Owens-Cyr as 2021 Tribal College Blanket Contest Winner
The American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills, the international lifestyle brand headquartered in Portland, Oregon, have selected Chelysa Owens-Cyr’s “Unity” as its 2021 Tribal College Blanket Contest winner.
Global MindED Honors Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of American Indian College Fund, with a 2021 Inclusive Leader Award
American Indian College Fund President and CEO Cheryl Crazy Bull was named a GlobalMindED 2021 Inclusive Leader on November 3 during a virtual awards ceremony.
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College GED Program and Student Highlight
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College has a successful GED program, helping students like Joe succeed at their own pace.
Inside Higher Ed: Pandemic’s Mental Health Toll on TCU Students
President Cheryl Crazy Bull of the American Indian College Fund and several TCU Presidents discuss the disproportionate mental impact the pandemic has had on TCU students.
American Indian College Fund Launches Boarding School Descendant Scholarship for 2021-22
American Indian College Fund Launches Boarding School Descendant Scholarship for 2021-22 $60,000 Grant from National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition Funds Twenty Native Scholarships for 2021-22 Denver, Colo.—October 26, 2021– The American Indian...
American Indian College Fund Mourns David Kennedy
We were saddened to learn the news that David Kennedy, the co-founder of international ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, the College Fund’s partner for more than 30 years, passed away Sunday, October 10. Kennedy was instrumental in the creation of the College Fund’s current national visibility campaign.
American Indian College Fund Receives $5.315 Million to Support Indigenous Early Childhood Education
Denver, Colo.—October 6, 2021– The American Indian College Fund’s Indigenous Early Childhood Education program is poised to continue its work at tribal colleges and universities over the next four years thanks to a $5,315,000 grant from the Bezos Family Foundation.
3 Native American women head to college in the pandemic. Will they get a sophomore year?
Reporter Charlotte West, with contributing writer Arlo Iron Cloud (Oglala Lakota), look at the myriad ways the pandemic impacted three Native women, along with its wider impact on Native American students. The College Fund worked to share data and trends and Cheryl Crazy Bull also spoke to Ms. West for the story, which explores college access, food and housing insecurity, illness in Native communities, resulting mental health challenges due to grief and loss, and more.
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants $300,000 to American Indian College Fund for High School Equivalency Programs at Tribal Colleges
Denver, Colo.—September 29, 2021– The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is continuing its work with the American Indian College Fund to increase the number of Native American high school graduates through the award of $300,000 for the Native Students Stepping Forward: Dollar General High School Equivalency Completion program.
Top Performers Join Forces with American Indian College Fund for Free Online Indigenous Peoples Day Concert
Denver, Colo.—September 27, 2021– Mark your calendars! The American Indian College Fund is hosting a free streaming concert to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. MDT. The event will feature performances by Native entertainers and artists allied with Native causes from across the nation.
