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Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship Fund

for Most Enrolled California Tribal Members

Established in 2019, The Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship Fund was born out of the longstanding traditions, values, and vision of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians – who have demonstrated their commitment to education and economic development, time and time again. Today, their impact is expanded through the Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship, which provides greatly needed support to Native students across the state of California.

The Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship Fund is open to most enrolled California tribal members.
Up to $20,000 is available each year to students seeking vocational, associates or bachelors degrees at any accredited, nonprofit college, university or vocational program.

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled in a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree program at an accredited, non-profit college or university
  • Full-time enrollment
  • Registered as an enrolled member of an eligible California tribe (listed below)
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Eligible California Tribes:

  • Alturas Indian Rancheria
  • Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria
  • Big Lagoon Rancheria
  • Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley (previously listed as the Big Pine Band of Owens Valley Paiute
  • Shoshone Indians of the Big Pine Reservation)
  • Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians of
  • California (previously listed as the Big Sandy Rancheria of
  • Mono Indians of California)
  • Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley
  • Rancheria
  • Bishop Paiute Tribe (previously listed as the Paiute-
  • Shoshone Indians of the Bishop Community of the Bishop Colony)
  • Bridgeport Indian Colony (previously listed as the
  • Bridgeport Paiute Indian Colony of California)
  • Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California
  • Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria
  • Cahuilla Band of Indians (previously listed as the Cahuilla
  • Band of Mission Indians of the Cahuilla Reservation)
  • California Valley Miwok Tribe
  • Cedarville Rancheria
  • Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation
  • Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria
  • Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California
  • Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California
  • Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of California
  • Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, Arizona and California
  • Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California
  • Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria
  • Elk Valley Rancheria
  • Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California
  • Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians
  • Fort Bidwell Indian Community of the Fort Bidwell Reservation of California
  • Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Reservation
  • Fort Mojave Indian Tribe of Arizona, California & Nevada
  • Greenville Rancheria (previously listed as the Greenville
  • Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California)
  • Grindstone Indian Rancheria of Wintun-Wailaki Indians of California
    Guidiville Rancheria of California
  • Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake
  • Hoopa Valley Tribe
  • Hopland Band of Pomo Indians (formerly Hopland Band of Pomo Indians of the Hopland Rancheria)
  • Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel (previously listed as the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Santa Ysabel Reservation)
  • Inaja Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation
  • Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California Karuk Tribe (previously listed as the Karuk Tribe of California)
  • Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria
  • Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians (previously listed as the Cortina Indian Rancheria and the Cortina Indian Rancheria of Wintun Indians of California)
  • Koi Nation of Northern California (previously listed as the Lower Lake Rancheria)
  • La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians (previously listed as the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of theLa Jolla Reservation)
  • La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the La Posta Indian Reservation
  • Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe (previously listed as the Paiute-Shoshone Indians of the Lone Pine Community of the Lone Pine Reservation)
  • Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians (previously listed as the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla & Cupeno Indians of the Los Coyotes Reservation)
  • Lytton Rancheria of California
  • Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester Rancheria (previously listed as the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria)
  • Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Manzanita Reservation
  • Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria
  • Mesa Grande Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Mesa Grande Reservation
  • Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California
  • Pinoleville Pomo Nation (previously listed as the Pinoleville Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California)
  • Pit River Tribe (includes XL Ranch, Big Bend, Likely, Lookout, Montgomery Creek and Roaring Creek Rancherias)
  • Potter Valley Tribe
  • Quartz Valley Indian Community of the Quartz Valley Reservation of California
  • Ramona Band of Cahuilla (previously listed as the Ramona Band or Village of Cahuilla Mission Indians of California)
  • Redwood Valley or Little River Band of Pomo Indians of the Redwood Valley Rancheria California (previously listed as the Redwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California)
  • Resighini Rancheria
  • Robinson Rancheria (previously listed as the Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, California and theRobinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California)
  • Round Valley Indian Tribes, Round Valley Reservation (previously listed as the Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation)
  • Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians (previously listed as the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians of the Santa Rosa Reservation)
  • Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California
  • Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California
  • Susanville Indian Rancheria
  • Tejon Indian Tribe
  • Timbisha Shoshone Tribe (previously listed as the Death Valley Timbi-sha Shoshone Tribe and the Death Valley Timbi-Sha Shoshone Band of California)
  • Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (previously listed as the Smith River Rancheria)
  • Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians (previously listed as the Torres-Martinez Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians of California)
  • Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation
  • Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California (Carson Colony, Dresslerville Colony, Woodfords Community, Stewart Community, & Washoe Ranches)
  • Wilton Rancheria
  • Wiyot Tribe (previously listed as the Table Bluff Reservation—Wiyot Tribe)
  • Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation

Related Pages

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News & Events

The American Indian College Fund presented at the 2024 National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students Conference

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) presented at the 2024 National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students Conference. Nicolette Weston, College Fund Program Administrator for Transfer and Admissions, partnered with Juan Perez and Joey DiTonno of the Tribal College Transfer Advisory Committee to lead a session titled “Building Equity and Transfer Success with Underrepresented Populations.” This was the only session focused on tribal colleges and universities in the transfer space and was well received with 73 registered attendees. Perez is the Director of Admissions at Salish Kootenai College and DiTonno is the College Registrar at Chief Dull Knife College. Both were thankful for the chance to speak at the conference and raise awareness of work being done at TCUs to help transfer students succeed.

Empowering Insights: Insights from an Emerging Indigenous Woman Leader 

Jessica Brunelle, UTTC, B.S., Business Instructor-Advisor 

2023-2024 Indigenous Visionaries Fellow 

My journey thus far has led me in multiple directions. I have overcome adversity and multiple obstacles to get where I am today.  As a young woman, I did not know what career path to choose. After my high school graduation, I was unsure of what to do. I decided to attend United Tribes Technical College for nursing and soon found that it was not for me. I changed my degree to business administration and graduated with an associate degree in 2012.  

I decided to continue with my educational journey for a bachelor’s degree, however, life happens. I experienced obstacle after obstacle and lost all hope at some point. I succumbed to my circumstances.  

But in 2018, I decided I could overcome anything, no matter my obstacles. I went back to UTTC and completed my bachelor’s degree in 2019. Walking across the graduation stage for my undergraduate degree ignited a fire I had never felt before. I went into retail management, and that field was not for me.  

I started a career with UTTC in 2021, and in 2022 an opportunity presented itself. My previous advisor reached out and asked if I would be willing to teach business courses. After careful consideration, I gladly accepted. My first day as an instructor was frightening, to say the least. I was full of self-doubt and every other negative emotion. But life works in wondrous ways, and I can say with absolute certainty that I have found my passion. Teaching is something that I feel was meant for me and who I am as a person.  

In 2023, I returned to school to earn a Master’s of Business Administration. I will complete the program in August of 2024 and will to walk for graduation in April 2024. This is a huge achievement for 15 short months, as it took seven years to complete my undergraduate degree. I was once ashamed of that, but now I embrace every triumph. Every challenge and difficulty I’ve faced has steered my life to its current trajectory. 

I give thanks to the TCUs for their contributions to my success. Education is the key to success. In 2023, I was selected to participate in the American Indian College Fund Indigenous Visionaries Cohort. This program has been transformative and awe-inspiring, and has opened my eyes to new perspectives and filled me with a sense of wonder and joy. To see other women Indigenous leaders aspiring to be their best selves is indescribable.  

It brings me great fulfillment to impart my journey, resilience, and optimism with each of you. I aim to serve as a role model not only for Indigenous women but also for my children, students, and anyone facing daunting challenges. Remember, you possess the strength to overcome any adversity. Believe in yourself, stay open to learning, adapt to change, and consistently choose the path of integrity. Embrace your authentic self, understanding the power of your genuineness in both personal and professional pursuits. Embrace your uniqueness, honor your strengths, and inspire confidence in yourself and others. 

American Indian College Fund President and CEO to Host Webinar Series

American Indian College Fund President and CEO to Host Webinar Series

Cheryl Crazy Bull offers insights into the state of Native Higher Education

American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull

American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull

April 9, 2024, Denver, Colo.— American Indian College Fund (College Fund) President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, will be hosting a three-part webinar series titled “Native Higher Education Insights.” Over the course of three sessions, she will cover what’s changed in the higher education environment post-pandemic and news from the various tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and Native students. The sessions are scheduled for April 11, May 9, and June 13. Don’t miss the chance to register for all three free sessions.

Session 1: Thursday, April 11

Session 2: Thursday, May 9

Session 3: Thursday, June 13

About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 34 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support 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 and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.