As we head into the holiday season, I would like to issue a challenge: the best gift of all is to pay it forward. If someone helped you to get an education or encouraged you while you were a student, why not take the time to do the same for someone else?
One of our programs at the Fund allows you to not only give the gift of an education to an American Indian student, but also serve as a mentor through regular contact. Your words of encouragement and advice can inspire a student to stay in school, and may make the difference between just graduating and truly excelling.
To find out more about how you can expand your family by supporting an American Indian scholar, contact Eileen Egan at eegan@collegefund.org
I can think of no better gift this season than the gift of an education, while getting the opportunity to develop a relationship with an American Indian student, learning about another culture in the process.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Giving Thanks
As we celebrate everything that we have to be thankful for, I want to thank each and every one of you for your enduring support over the years. If not for our students, our tribal colleges, our teachers and tribal college presidents, and our supporters, American Indian education would not be where it is today.
Thank you one and all and have a blessed Thanksgiving.
In a good way,
Rick Williams
Thank you one and all and have a blessed Thanksgiving.
In a good way,
Rick Williams
Monday, November 17, 2008
National Indian Heritage Month
November is National Indian Heritage Month, and city, state, and private events are being held across the nation to mark the occasion.
As we celebrate our heritage, let's also celebrate our endurance as a people. We have achieved so much, and that is largely due to education that celebrates and reinforces our culture.
According to The Institute for Higher Education Policy, educational attainment correlates with economic prosperity. A person who has earned a bachelor’s degree or higher earns almost four times as much as a person who did not graduate from high school, and more than twice as much as a person who holds a high school diploma; this is true for American Indians and the U.S. population in general.
It isn't about the money, of course. Education is about bettering oneself and one's people, bringing them along so that we all as a people can enjoy greater standards of living, greater educational attainment, lower numbers of poverty, lower incidences of disease, and more fulfilled lives as Indian people.
As Sherman Alexie said during a keynote address at the National Indian Education Association meeting in Seattle, he was often asked by people on his reservation after he left to go to school, "Do you think you are better than us?" Alexie replied, "No, we're all better than this."
As we celebrate our heritage, let's also celebrate our endurance as a people. We have achieved so much, and that is largely due to education that celebrates and reinforces our culture.
According to The Institute for Higher Education Policy, educational attainment correlates with economic prosperity. A person who has earned a bachelor’s degree or higher earns almost four times as much as a person who did not graduate from high school, and more than twice as much as a person who holds a high school diploma; this is true for American Indians and the U.S. population in general.
It isn't about the money, of course. Education is about bettering oneself and one's people, bringing them along so that we all as a people can enjoy greater standards of living, greater educational attainment, lower numbers of poverty, lower incidences of disease, and more fulfilled lives as Indian people.
As Sherman Alexie said during a keynote address at the National Indian Education Association meeting in Seattle, he was often asked by people on his reservation after he left to go to school, "Do you think you are better than us?" Alexie replied, "No, we're all better than this."
Monday, November 10, 2008
Veteran's Day
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. Our Native peoples have a long history of fighting for our country. Per capita more American Indians enter the armed forces than any other group. I would like to take this time to personally thank our brave American Indian men and women for their service and sacrifice to our nation.
In A Good Way,
Rick Williams
In A Good Way,
Rick Williams
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Yes We Can!
With the historic victory of President-elect Barack Obama, we learned an important lesson last night. Regardless of your political affiliation, the important lesson is that we as a people can do anything we put our minds to. America is the land of opportunity.
Historically Indian people have been the most impoverished in the nation. Yet with an education, like Obama, who was raised by a single mother, one can achieve anything. It takes hard work, persistence, and faith in oneself and the future.
I believe in each and every one of our students and their ability to achieve their education goals and to build a better life for themselves and their people. I believe in the hopes and dreams of people in Indian Country and the ability of those hopes and dreams to transform Indian Country to a vibrant place where our traditions and our people will see a new dawn. I believe in the dignity and ability of each and every person in Indian Country to take control of their lives and to live the life they were destined to live.
It's time now for us to work together for the good of our country and Indian Country. Education will transform our nations and our people. Yes, you can!
Historically Indian people have been the most impoverished in the nation. Yet with an education, like Obama, who was raised by a single mother, one can achieve anything. It takes hard work, persistence, and faith in oneself and the future.
I believe in each and every one of our students and their ability to achieve their education goals and to build a better life for themselves and their people. I believe in the hopes and dreams of people in Indian Country and the ability of those hopes and dreams to transform Indian Country to a vibrant place where our traditions and our people will see a new dawn. I believe in the dignity and ability of each and every person in Indian Country to take control of their lives and to live the life they were destined to live.
It's time now for us to work together for the good of our country and Indian Country. Education will transform our nations and our people. Yes, you can!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Watch for Our New PSA Campaign
We've been busy at the Fund, readying for the Flame of Hope Gala a week from today in New York City, taking in corporate and individual donations that are coming in the door, and preparing for the launch of our new Public Service Announcement campaign designed by our advertising supporter, Wieden+Kennedy.
As you may know, Wieden+Kennedy designed our previous ads, and is known for its outstanding work over the years with Nike. Wieden+Kennedy was also awarded the best ad agency in the world award last year. We think you are going to be wowed by the work they have done to capture how tribal colleges are cultivating and harnessing traditional knowledge to solve modern societal problems.
We'll be unveiling the work at the Glame of Hope Gala next week and the excitement around here is palpable. Watch our web site for the new PSA, as well as your favorite magazines. We will also be unveiling lots of grassroots ideas about how you can help us spread the word about this new campaign.
As you may know, Wieden+Kennedy designed our previous ads, and is known for its outstanding work over the years with Nike. Wieden+Kennedy was also awarded the best ad agency in the world award last year. We think you are going to be wowed by the work they have done to capture how tribal colleges are cultivating and harnessing traditional knowledge to solve modern societal problems.
We'll be unveiling the work at the Glame of Hope Gala next week and the excitement around here is palpable. Watch our web site for the new PSA, as well as your favorite magazines. We will also be unveiling lots of grassroots ideas about how you can help us spread the word about this new campaign.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
There's Still Time to Join Us in New York!
American Indian families have the lowest incomes in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. American Indian students often must choose between attending college or putting food on the table. In tight economic times, students rely even more heavily on scholarship support.
The American Indian College Fund raises monies for much-needed scholarships in Indian Country through its gala, providing support for deserving students attending the nation’s 32 tribal colleges and universities.
We hope you will join us October 29 at Gotham Hall at 6 p.m. Special entertainment will be provided by the Red Hawk Dance Troupe and headliner Jakob Dylan.
Contact Lucia Novara for information at lnovara@collegefund.org or 303-430-5323. If you are unable to attend, your donation is always welcome.
The American Indian College Fund raises monies for much-needed scholarships in Indian Country through its gala, providing support for deserving students attending the nation’s 32 tribal colleges and universities.
We hope you will join us October 29 at Gotham Hall at 6 p.m. Special entertainment will be provided by the Red Hawk Dance Troupe and headliner Jakob Dylan.
Contact Lucia Novara for information at lnovara@collegefund.org or 303-430-5323. If you are unable to attend, your donation is always welcome.
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