Think Indian Community Awareness Grants

Think Indian Community Awareness Grants of $2,500 are available to student groups and accredited higher education institutions. These grants encourage institutions who serve Native students to promote the positive message of “Think Indian,” the vibrancy of Native students, and the highlight the support provided by Native scholarship programs to their campus and community.

“Think Indian” was originally created as a public awareness campaign to promote the American Indian College Fund, and the many ways that its scholars contribute to, and change our world. Its message connected so deeply with Native students and institutions that it was revived in 2018, specifically to promote the College Fund’s scholarship, and other student programs.

The American Indian College Fund has created a grant program to highlight its “Think Indian” campaign, and scholarships program for Native students. The grants are intended to encourage institutions who serve Native students to promote the positive message of “Think Indian,” the vibrancy of Native students, and the highlight the support provided by Native scholarship programs to their campus and community. Projects must engage or include Native students.

Student groups and institutions can use grant funds for any activity or project that will promote the “Think Indian” campaign and scholarships in their community. Programs can include, but are not limited to:

Informational, social or artistic events
Art displays, installations or murals
Music performances or video screenings
Local awareness, publicity or marketing campaigns
Online/social media campaigns
Participation in existing campus or community events
Themed volunteer or service events (including Native vote or census projects)

CLICK HERE to view summaries of the 2019 awarded projects.

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Native Voices Matter in Primaries and Midterms. REGISTER NOW!

Make Native Voices Heard in Every Election

Denver, Colo., March 31, 2026 — Recent government action has minimized or ignored the trust and treaty obligations the U.S. has to Tribes and tribal citizens. The American Indian College Fund is encouraging American Indians and Alaska Natives to ensure they are registered to vote for the upcoming mid-term elections and beyond so they can share their voices at the polls and weigh in on issues such as federal funding for tribal colleges and universities, Native eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, green energy spending on tribal lands, and immigration. Electing legislators who will uphold the rights of Natives and other Americans along with the responsibilities the federal government has to Tribes is paramount.

Native Americans have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years, underscoring the importance of representation and acknowledgment. Tribal citizens are most affected by elections, as federal funding is crucial for everything from education to tribal programming, housing, healthcare, and the local economy for many Tribes who have signed treaties or trust agreements with the federal government. For Native people, voting is not merely a right, it is an obligation to one’s family, Tribe, and all Native Nations who fought to be able to go to the polls. Native scholars from some of the 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities across the nation are sharing their own stories on the importance of voting and why it is sacred. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOJK86FlOrY

Registering to vote is just the first step. The College Fund is encouraging all Native students, community members, and supporters to register to vote today to be able to cast their ballot in upcoming primaries and midterm elections. Be it a tribal, local, state, or national election, it’s time to make Native voices heard!

Find additional information on voter registration broken down by state at https://collegefund.org/vote/register/.

About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 37 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided more than $23 million in scholarships and other student support for higher education in 2024-25. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $391 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (Guidestar), and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit collegefund.org.
Photo – Make Native voices heard at the polls. Register to vote today.
Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Embrace Your Path, Remember Who You Come From

By Wozek Chandler, Aaniiih Nakoda College ANA Project Director-White Clay Immersion School
2025-2026 Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership Program

I am fortunate to have grown up with men and women in my life who showed me what true leadership is. My parents, aunties, and grandparents paved the way and set an example. Their work is grounded in our cultural lifeways and success of our communities. This is a mindset our ancestors had, thinking of the future generations. Witnessing my family’s hard work growing up inspired me to obtain my higher education and return to work in my community.

I have always been on the quiet side, so much that in high school people questioned if I was mute. Simultaneously, growing up, I was given leadership opportunities such as presenting and leading teams. Somewhere along my journey, it became difficult for me to see myself in these roles and believe I was doing it “right”. This is something I know I am not alone in, but I hope to overcome it one day. I often have to remind myself the work I take part in at Aaniiih Nakoda College is bigger than me– it is for my community, to honor my family and those that came before me.

Later in life, I experienced a great loss—my mother. She was an extraordinary person in the way she executed her goals. She made her dreams reality, even when many thought her dreams were too big. I thought I would always have her to lean on for guidance, but when she left, a lot of my anxieties came to the forefront. Following her passing, many people expressed how my sister and I are her legacy. It is a great legacy to be part of, but I often wonder how I will honor her when it’s difficult for me to show up in ways that she did.

I have had time to navigate these thoughts and feelings. While I still have my struggles accepting my role in life, I have to remind myself of who I come from. In conversations with relatives, I have gained insight on the struggles my parents and grandparents faced to achieve their goals. We are all human— it takes courage, strength, and perseverance to reach our goals.

My goals have put me in positions that force me to get out of my comfort zone. In these times, I struggle with who I am and how I am expected to present myself. I continue to be put in leadership positions. I realized after trying to put a wall between myself and those situations that I cannot deny this role. It continues to seek me out and if I embrace it, I can do justice to the upbringing my family and ancestors have provided for me. I have learned that whatever role I step into, I am still me. I encompass qualities of those who raised me, but I am still me.

This is why I applied for the Indigenous Visionaries Women’s Leadership Program. I no longer want to get in my own way. Through this experience, I gained another support system among women in tribal colleges. I am learning to embrace what comes my way and to take healthy risks for my tribal community and college.

At one point or another we will face hardships and grief, and while it is important to take care of ourselves, we cannot let it hold us back or give up in those times. I have learned to seek out support systems, remember who I come from, and to lead each day with prayer.

My Mother, Lynette Chandler, horse Mask, and I, at Eagle Child on the Fort Belknap Reservation.

Getting ready to present on language curriculum for a conference in 2024.

My parents, Sean and Lynette Chandler, my sister Serena, and I before my graduation at Aaniiih Nakoda College in 2017.

A Reflection of My Life at Salish Kootenai College as a Blackfeet Woman

By Kimberly Barber, Salish Kootenai College Student Success Coach
2025-2026 Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership Program

Long Time Mountain Woman
My name is Kimberly Barber. I am Salish and Blackfeet, and my Blackfeet name is Long Time Mountain Woman, a name my uncle gave me many years ago. I’ve lived in the Salish area my entire life, right up against the mountains, but I’ve always stayed closely connected to my Blackfeet roots and relatives. I joke that every time I go back to Browning, Montana, I discover a new cousin.

I married young and spent 25 years married to the love of my life. Together, we raised two beautiful daughters, Mariah and Madison. We divorced 10 years ago. These days, the only man in my life is my 11-year-old grandson, Eastyn, whom I’ve been raising on and off for the past decade! He keeps me busy in all the ways that matter most.

Life Connected to Salish Kootenai College
I’ve worked at Salish Kootenai College (SKC) for 30 years. That’s a long time, but in many ways, SKC has always been part of my life.

My mom began her own journey at SKC in the early 1980s when she decided to earn her GED. I was in seventh grade at the time. She went on to complete an associate’s degree in human services at SKC and later earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Montana.

My sisters earned their degrees at SKC as well. My sister, Nicki, received her bachelor’s degree in education. She is a pre-school teacher at Ronan Elementary. My other sister, Cori, received her general education degree through SKC and went on to earn her master’s in human relations with an emphasis in counseling through the University of Oklahoma. My brother received a Certificate of Completion in building trades and my brother-in-law also earned an associate and a bachelor degree as well at SKC. Two of my nephews earned degrees at SKC, my niece took courses at the college, and my daughter Madison will graduate with a bachelor’s in social work in June 2026. This is a family affair. SKC has done so much for all of us, and I’m so very proud!

Finding My Place at SKC
I could see how much my family enjoyed their time at SKC, and I realized I wanted to work there too.

I applied and was hired in SKC’s Nursing Department, making $8.50 an hour. A year later, I transferred to Student Services, where I worked for 15 years as the Retention Coordinator. I loved every bit of it, especially working with students. I also loved working with other Native people, and I was around a lot of Native students.

During that time, I completed my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Services at SKC. It felt like it took forever, but it was something I worked hard for, and I’m proud of that degree.

Eventually, I transferred to the Department of Academic Success, where I’ve worked for 15 years as the Student Success Coach. Helping students has always been the most rewarding part of my job. Because of that, I never really felt the need to pursue an advanced degree. I’ve always been content working behind the scenes and helping students at the ground level, making connections where I really wouldn’t expect to. This is probably where I’ll stay until I retire.

Where I Am Now
Sometimes I wish I had gone further in my education, and I know I still could if I wanted to. But right now, I’m happy. I want to work, bead, and enjoy my life. Beading is my favorite hobby. It soothes my soul. I want to spend weekends with my daughters, when I can, and watch my grandson play whatever sport he’s into at the moment.

I’m grateful for my roots, family, work, and the path that led me to exactly where I am today. Salish Kootenai College gave me a life and a career that I am very proud of. Thank you, Salish Kootenai College!