April 25, 2025

AIHEC WEEKLY UPDATE

The Collective Spirit and Unifying Voice of our Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities

HIGHLIGHTS

Digital Tools for Language Documentation - Tuesday April 29, 2025

Grand Opening Ceremony of Little Priest Tribal College's new science building!

May 1, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tribal Scholars for Health & Sustainability (TSHS) Program

We’re excited to share that our Tribal Scholars for Health & Sustainability (TSHS) Program is officially up and running!

TSHS is a virtual educational opportunity designed for current students and recent graduates who are passionate about public health and ready to make a real impact in Tribal communities. Through this program, Scholars will gain hands-on experience in public health and policy, working side by side with professionals dedicated to improving health outcomes across Indian Country.

Whether your interests lie in environmental health, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, public health infrastructure, federal relations, or other vital areas—TSHS offers tailored project experiences that align with your passions. This is more than a learning opportunity—it's a chance to grow your skills, expand your professional network, and contribute to meaningful change in Tribal public health.

Highlights of the program include:

  • Virtual format for flexible participation
  • A $3,600 educational award for all selected Scholars
  • Travel support to attend an in-person training in Washington, D.C.
  • Open to all eligible applicants, including students enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and recent graduates

We believe in creating space for the next generation of leaders in public health—especially those who may not typically have access to these types of opportunities.

Please help us spread the word, and if you know students or recent grads who may be interested, encourage them to apply!

For more information and application details, visit: https://www.nihb.org/tshs/

EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT

Indigenous Food Sovereignty- The Science of Food in Connection to our Mental Health

April 30, 2025 - 6 PM CST - Online Webinar

Register Here!

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.

Learn more!

Oceti Sakowin Living Languages Summit

Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (MT)

Read more

Native American Grads: Get Ready to Rock Your Grad Walk Mocs!

Graduates, post photos of you proudly rocking your moccasins and your graduation regalia to show Native students are here, we achieve, and we are fulfilling our dreams of the dreams of our ancestors. Be sure to tag your social media posts using the hashtags #NativePathways and #EducationIsTheAnswer.

Learn more

JOB/INTERNSHIP

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIND THESE AND OTHER JOBS HERE AT THE TRIBAL COLLEGE JOURNAL JOB BOARD

Diné College Announces Recovery and Reconstruction Plans Following Fire

The Tsaile campus has reopened and classes and regular activities have resumed. Reconstruction of the student union building is set for completion in the fall of 2026.

Read more

Sowing the Seeds of Independence

“Always I was in the fields with my grandmother and grandfather. I would walk with my grandfather for days to trade seeds and food for other seeds and food and clothes. My grandfather taught me that when you have seeds, you have life,”

Read more

Tribal College Journal On Campus

Tribal College & University News Round-up

Other News

Trump’s Latest Executive Orders Target Accreditation, Foreign Gifts

Mandaamin Celebration unites community through corn traditions and wellness

Higher education panel approves finance and policy bill - Minnesota

How Trump administration cuts threaten Native Americans

OPEN EDUCATION

UNESCO supports Open Education.


Read their Recommendation on OER, adopted in Paris, France on November 2019: 

https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/recommendation-open-educational-resources-oer?hub=785

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

AIHEC 2025: Scenes from Rapid City

See more here!

Northern Arizona college still dealing with fire hazards days after campus blaze

Read more

Prayers of strength and resilience to all the students, faculty & staff at Diné College. Learn how you can help at their website Dine College.

Native American Agriculture Fund: Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) is accepting grant applications for two grant opportunities: 2025 RFA Process – General and 2025 RFA Process – Youth. Eligible projects must be used to provide services important to Native farmers and ranchers, including those seeking to become farmers and ranchers, to support and promote their continued engagement in agriculture. Funds may be used for project support, re-grants, scholarships, re-lending, or capital expenditures.


NAAF seeks applications that align with a variety of programmatic areas such as,  (1) General Focus: Business Assistance, Agricultural Education, Technical Support and Advocacy Services; (2) General Focus: Loan Capital, Re-granting Capital & Technical Assistance/Business Assistance (CDFIs only); and (3) Special Focus: Infrastructure and Climate Resilience (All Eligible Entities)


The deadline for applications is May 1, 2025. For more information and the grant application, please visit the NAAF website.

Department of Education:

Correction Notices of Funding Opportunities

Correction Notice: Demonstration Grants for Indian Children and Youth Program – Native Youth Community Projects


On January 17, 2025, ED published in the Federal Register a Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the FY 2025 Demonstration Grants for Native Youth Community Projects (NYCP) program competition. On April 3, 2025, ED is provided correction language in the NIA by amending the Background information, editing Table 1, revising a requirement to reflect the precise statutory language, and amending certain selection criteria. In addition, we are updating the dates of the pre-application webinars and extending the deadline date for the transmittal of applications together with the intergovernmental review deadline. All other information in the NIA remains the same.

Applicants who have already submitted an application under the NYCP Demonstration program must submit an updated application on or before the extended application deadline of May 8, 2025, for the application to be reviewed. 

Program staff will endeavor to notify applicants who have already submitted an application of the requirement to submit an updated application.



Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. Further, the program does not require a cost-sharing or matching requirement.

For more on the correction notice, please visit the Federal Register posting.

Correction Notice: Indian Education Discretionary Grant Program; Professional Development Program – Native American Teacher Retention Initiative


On January 17, 2025, ED published in the Federal Register a Notice Inviting Applications for FY 2025 Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs; Professional Development Program—Native American Teacher Retention Initiative competition (NATRI)(90 FR 5863). On April 3, 2025, ED corrected the NIA by changing the date of the pre-application webinar; extending the deadline for transmittal of applications, together with the intergovernmental review deadline; amending the Background information; changing the header of a requirement; adjusting certain selection criteria and point values; and editing the performance measure. All other information in the NIA remains the same.


Applicants who have already applied to the NATRI program must submit an updated application on or before the extended application deadline of May 13, 2025, for the application to be reviewed. 


Program staff will notify applicants who have already submitted an application of the requirement to submit an updated application. 


Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible applicants and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. For more information on the correction notice, please visit the Federal Register posting.

Correction Notice: Indian Education Discretionary Grants Program; Professional Development Program – Training Grants


On January 17, 2025, ED published in the Federal Register a Notice Inviting Applications for FY 2025 Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs; Professional Development Program (PD)—Training Grants competition. On April 3, 2025, ED corrected the NIA by changing the date of the pre-application webinar; extending the deadline date for the transmittal of applications, together with the intergovernmental review deadline; amending the Background information; changing the heading of a requirement; and adjusting certain selection criteria and point values. All other information in the NIA remains the same.


Applicants that have already applied to the Professional Development—Training Grants program must submit an updated application on or before the extended application deadline of May 13, 2025, for the application to be reviewed

Program staff will endeavor to notify applicants that have already submitted an application of the requirement to submit an updated application.


Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible applicants and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. For more information on the correction notice, please visit the Federal Register posting.

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

Find the report here

Aaniiih Nakoda College Featured in The College Tour – Now Streaming Online, Premiering on Amazon Prime This May

Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC) is proud to announce its feature in the latest season of The College Tour, a groundbreaking series that showcases colleges and universities across the country. The episode is now available for streaming on ANC’s website at thecollegetour and will go live on The College Tour website on March 18. The episode will also make its highly anticipated debut on Amazon Prime on May 27, 2025.


Filmed on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, the episode highlights the transformative impact of ANC’s unique approach to education, blending Indigenous knowledge with Western academics. Through the voices of ten students and alumni, viewers will gain firsthand insight into the college’s deep sense of community, hands-on learning experiences, and the support systems that help students succeed.


“As Indian people we experienced substandard education which is deeply tied to our historical trauma. ANC is a tool to rectify hundreds of years of that, rebuild our communities and ensure a brighter future for our next generations by providing quality, post-secondary education and community rooted in cultural revitalization,"said sophomore Tylanna Adams during her segment.


Founded in 1983 to serve the Aaniinen and Nakoda Nations, ANC welcomes all students who seek a meaningful and culturally rich education. With small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a commitment to student success, ANC prepares graduates for careers that strengthen their communities and beyond.



Don't miss the chance to experience ANC’s story—watch the episode today and mark your calendars for the Amazon Prime premiere on May 27!

For more information, visit thecollegetour.

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.

Find the report here!
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