September 5, 2025

Open Education is expanding to include the trades!



Check out Introduction to Welding, a new free textbook:  

https://openwa.pressbooks.pub/welding1/

Tribal College & University Students!

The Tribal College Journal is looking for student bloggers for TCJ Student. Earn up to $150 a month. Deadline is September 12, 2025. Apply here: https://tcjstudent.org/blog-application/

Applications for the 2026 cycle of the Cobell Fellowship Program opportunities are now open - starting September 1, 2025! More on both the Cobell Graduate Summer Research Fellowship and the Elouise Cobell Dissertation Writing Year Fellowship can be found at cobellscholar.org. Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2026, without exception.

EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT

Calling all teachers and educators! Want to connect directly to science experts who study our planet? NOAA offers opportunities to "Connect with NOAA" and bring real-world science to life. Schedule a virtual school talk with U.S. National Weather Service, find guest speakers, professional development opportunities, and more all at https://www.noaa.gov/education/back-to-school. 

✨ Calling all AI/AN Nursing Students! ✨



Show off your cultural pride and creativity at the Healing with Style Native Nurses Fashion Showcase during the AI/AN Healthcare Workforce Development Summit in Chandler, AZ — September 12, 2025.

🎨 Decorate your scrubs in a way that represents your heritage

🧠 Answer one short reflection question (provided in advance)

✈ Up to $1,000 travel, lodging, and meals covered by AIHEC

🏆 Top looks win prizes!

Spots are limited — register now!

Registration is now Open for the AIHEC Fall Board Meeting!

2025 National Conference

October 2-4, 2025 - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Annual AISES National Conference is a unique, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.

JOB/INTERNSHIP

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Not for Sale: Tribal Colleges and Sovereignty in the Age of Datafication

The pursuit of big data and profits has commodified nearly every aspect of human life. As intellectual hubs, tribal colleges are working to strengthen Indigenous data sovereignty. 

The 2025 AIHEC Poetry Slam

As always, this year’s poetry slam was filled with inspiration, emotion, and drama. Here are the final three rounds.

Tribal College Journal On Campus

Tribal College & University News Round-up

Other News

North Dakota tribal college presidents tighten budgets amid federal funding worries

Haskell maintains high enrollment; interim president says funding for 2025-26 is secure

Institute of American Indian Arts Announces the Launch of Alum Database!

We’re proud to announce the launch of the IAIA Alum Database—a new resource celebrating the identities of our more than 4,000 graduates. This searchable database highlights IAIA alums by name, graduation year, and Tribal affiliation, showcasing the breadth and diversity of our community. From celebrated artists and cultural leaders to educators and changemakers, IAIA alums continue to carry connections forward and our mission in powerful ways.

Explore the database to see how our alums represent over 90% of the 562 federally recognized Tribes, shaping the future through their creativity, scholarship, and leadership.

Browse the database at https://iaia.edu/introducting-the-new-iaia-alum-database/

If you do not see your name in the database, or if the information we have is incorrect, please use this photo release from the link to enter your info: https://iaia.wufoo.com/forms/zcp78t41do0xuw/

Tribal Consultation on

Comprehensive Implementation of Executive Orders

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) will conduct a consultation on Presidential Executive Order(s) related to public education since January 20, 2025. The purpose of this consultation is to receive input from Tribal leaders on helping the Department identify flexibilities where possible under existing law (this includes Treaty obligations) to improve educational outcomes, address specific needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, and reduce duplicative functions across government to ensure Tribes are better served. 

The following resources below can be used to help Tribal leaders prepare for the upcoming consultation:

·      EO 14191: Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-02233 (February 3, 2025)

·      EO 14279: Reforming Accreditation To Strengthen Higher Education https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-07376 (April 28, 2025)

·      EO 14242: Empowering Parents, States, and Communities https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-05213 (March 20, 2025)

·      EO 14277: Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-07368 (April 28, 2025)

Additional Executive Orders are available on the National Archives’ Federal Register Executive Order Index website at: https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025. 

Tribal Colleges Rely on Federal Funding. Their Leaders Fear the Trump Years.

Iḷisaġvik College Expands Reach with New Instructional Site on St. Paul Island

Access to Capital Clearinghouse for Tribal Nations, individuals, and businesses

The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) has enhanced the Access to Capital Clearinghouse— a searchable database of Federal funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and tax credits, available for Tribal Nations, individuals, and businesses. Featured enhancements include incorporating data automation and artificial intelligence. With input from Tribal Leaders, WHCNAA has upgraded the Clearinghouse's search and filter functions, helping Tribal communities access a wide range of Federal resources more effectively. Explore hundreds of federal resources for Tribal communities below.

The Access to Capital Clearinghouse represents a one-of-a-kind product for Tribal Leaders, Native Businesses, Native Entrepreneurs etc. Ours is the only tool employed by the federal government which gathers all federal funding available to Tribes (15 different categories of funding) in one place. It’s a true collaborative, interagency effort that models efficient government while fulfilling the trust responsibility.

DOJ Announces Grants for Tribal Colleges Addressing Violence Against Women