June 13, 2025

AIHEC Joins Panel Discussion on Native Education at NIEA Mid-Year Convention

Moriah O'Brien, AIHEC's VP of Congressional & Federal Relations, joined National Indian Education Association and the National Johnson O'Malley Association for a panel discussion at the National Congress of American Indians' Mid-year Convention, highlighting Native Education priorities. "Tribal Colleges create opportunity, provide resources to their communities, and are a launching pad for students to meet their higher education and career goals," stated Moriah. Moriah urged all attendees to contact their Congressional offices and urge them to protect TCU funding during the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process and oppose any changes to Pell grant eligibility during the Budget Reconciliation bill.

White House budget request slashes funding for tribal colleges and universities

AP Photo/Morgan Lee

Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP) Summer 2025 Kick-Off and Information Session Invitation

You are invited to join Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP) summer kick-off and information session. T-LEAP provides one-on-one assistance to Tribal libraries seeking to request E-Rate support.  

During the session, we will provide an overview of the E-Rate program, describe T-LEAP’s requirements and application process, and hear from a guest presenter on how to identify your library’s IT needs. There will be time for Q&A.

The teleconference will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET – Register. 

Did you know AIHEC is a part of DOERS?

Read more about this organization here: https://www.doers3.org/members.html

Support American Indian/Alaska Native Exemption from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Requirements in ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’

As the Senate considers changes to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), please help us ensure that Indian Country’s access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is protected by exempting Native people from work requirements and promoting Tribal administration of SNAP.

Please send an email or letter to the following contacts to ask Speaker Johnson and the Senate to uphold the United States’ trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and further urge the Senate’s consideration of a provision that would facilitate the exercise of Tribal self-determination and self-governance in SNAP administration.

We need your support today!

               Contacts: 

Speaker Johnson’s Office: Tyler Fagan tyler.fagan@mail.house.gov

Senator Thune’s Office: Adam Wek adam_wek@thune.senate.gov

CC:

Katherine Thomas (Katherine_Thomas@ag.senate.gov) on Senate Agriculture Committee Majority

Anna Powers (Anna_Powers@indian.senate.gov) on SCIA Majority

Caroline Ackerman (Caroline_Ackerman@indian.senate.gov) on SCIA Minority

**DATE CHANGE**

Upcoming NACIE Meeting 

June 17-18, 2025

Venue: ZoomGov

Register for the Public Meeting

Click the link above or copy the URL below into your browser and press enter:

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/VGXBqyrsT8enIigUXjTlLw

We are pleased to share and announce that the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) will be convening an open meeting on June 17–18, 2025.

The purpose of this meeting is to conduct the following business: 

·      Discuss Fiscal Year 2026 planning activities

·      Discuss subcommittee activities

·      Approve the 2024-2025 Annual Report to Congress Discuss and hear updates from federal representatives regarding technical assistance, promising practices, and the development of regulatory or non-regulatory actions

·      Hear comments from members of the public

Instructions for Accessing the Meeting

Members of the public may access the NACIE meeting via teleconference and the web. Up to 350 lines will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Join by Phone

The dial-in listen only phone number is 1-669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 161 715 5166.

Join by Zoom

Register at: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/VGXBqyrsT8enIigUXjTlLw

Public Comment

Members of the public interested in submitting written comments may email tribal.consultation@ed.gov.

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

Sharing Our Human Experience

Dizzying changes in federal Indian policy have plagued tribes’ nation-to-nation relationship with the United States. The arts and humanities offer a means to share stories and make sense of a chaotic world.

Native Summer Reads for 2025

Summer—especially this summer—is a great time to delve into new Native fiction. Here are a few recommendations.

Tribal College Journal On Campus

Tribal College & University News Round-up

Other News

Salish Kootenai College announces new president

Mohawk Students File Legal Suit Over Changes Impacting Access to Federal Financial Aid

Why the Trump administration grounded these middle schoolers’ drones — and other STEM research

AIHEC Urges Immediate Action to Prevent Devastating Cuts

to Tribal College and Native Education Funding

Montana’s Tribal Colleges Warn: Pell Grant Changes Threaten American Indian and Alaska Native Student Access and Local Economies

Trump Wants to Cut Tribal College Funding by Nearly 90%, Putting Them at Risk of Closing

AIHEC CI Team Sponsored TCU Attendees at Esports Conference

Current and prospective TCU Esport directors, coaches, and athletes traveled to their first DreamHack and Intel Extreme Masters tournament in Dallas, TX to meet and learn from industry professionals (streamers, financial managers, software developers, and talent managers, etc.). A goal of the Cyberinfrastructure "TCU Esports working group" is to support student career pathways from esports participation to STEM careers and other fields that make up the industry, including broadcasting, business, and more! Thank you Project Quipu for making introductions and advising our group!

U.S. Department of Education: Notice of Funding for Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities-Interdisciplinary Preparation of Early Intervention, Special Education, and Related Services Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs

On May 27^th, the U.S. Department of Education, posted on the FEDERAL REGISTER they are accepting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities- interdisciplinary Preparation of Early Intervention, Special Education, and Related Services Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs. The purposes of this program are to (1) help address State-identified needs for personnel preparation in early intervention, special education, related services, and regular education to work with children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge, derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically based research, to be successful in serving those children.



Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 26, 2025

There is no match requirement for this funding opportunity, and Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible to apply.

For more information, please review the FEDERAL REGISTER posting. 

Accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) Soar in Student Success and Excellence 

ACE, MSI Data Project Release Report Highlighting Critical Role of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs

A Profile of Tribal Colleges and Universities examines the culture at Tribal Colleges and Universities as well as opportunities and challenges around digital learning at TCUs.