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
Let’s Call It What It Is
American Indian College Fund | 2021 e-Newsletter | Volume 21, Issue 3 | Circle of Hope
Help Raise Native Voices on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Join Our Indige-Bration Concert
This year to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day the American Indian College Fund will host a live, online concert celebration, Indige-Bration of and for Indigenous peoples, featuring the music of entertainers from across the nation.
Learning From a Distance: Utilizing Online Resources in GED Programming
Oglala Lakota College utilizes online resources in its GED program, to provide ease of learning for students like Dawson Pearson.
Carrie: Internships Provide Career Learning Experience
Carrie, an American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholar, graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in cinematic arts and technology and was enrolled in San Diego State University’s Film and Media program...
Introducing the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College GED/HSED Program
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College (LCOOC) is one of the tribal colleges participating in the College Fund’s ongoing Native Students Stepping Forward: High School Equivalency Completion Program. Recently added to the College Fund’s program, LCOOC’s General Educational Degree/High School Equivalency Degree (GED/HSED) Program has experienced a lot of transitions and transformations to get where it is today.
#Indigitern Native Student Intern Stories
#Indegitern is our career readiness campaign to highlight stories and reflections of Native students who have interned in businesses, organizations, agencies, and tribal communities across the country. Meet Danelle Cooper.
Back to School
It seems like just yesterday when last year’s school year started, in the face of great uncertainty. And now it’s time to return to school again. The pandemic situation is uncertain again, however, we have come through a year knowing what we are dealing with and how to do so, and we also know that education offers many opportunities for Native people, making this the BEST time to start on the path to earning a professional certificate or college degree.
‘Think Indian’ Book Club – August 2021 Book Review: Firekeeper’s Daughter
The ‘Think Indian’ Book Club focuses its book selections on Indigenous authors, voices, and storytelling. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley is a coming-of-age story centered around eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine, who feels like she does not fit or belong in both her hometown and her nearby Ojibwe reservation.
Student Parents: Uncovering Their Experiences and Identifying Best Practices for Persistence and Success in Higher Education
Join us for a 60-minute session that will highlight the experiences of student parents in higher education. We’ll hear from Nicole Lynn Lewis, CEO and founder of Generation Hope, former teen mother, social entrepreneur, and author, about her own lived experience as a young student parent and why she founded Generation Hope in 2010.
A Time for Change and Innovation – Native Arts and Distance Learning
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) transitioned from holding in-person classes and community events to closing their campuses, instead offering academic courses online or through distance learning. Community programming and events were canceled or postponed, greatly impacting TCUs, students, and the communities they serve.
To help TCUs during the transition, seven TCUs were awarded Distance Learning Grants. Each had a different approach on how they would continue to provide Native Arts programming while keeping their students and community members safe. Each explored how they were going to bring people together while keeping them safely apart.
