Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College campus

Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College campus. Photo by college.

AIHEC news

Presidential Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month— We appreciate President Trump for carrying on the tradition of proclaiming November as National Native American Heritage Month, first designated in 1990 by a joint congressional resolution signed by President George H.W. Bush. The White House

The First-Ever Tribally Affiliated Medical School in America— The Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Health Sciences will establish the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, the first-ever tribally affiliated medical school in the United States. NativeBusiness

Tribally Controlled Community Colleges Assistance Act— The Tribally Controlled Community Colleges Assistance Act of 1978, signed by President Carter in October 1978, was later retitled the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978. Read the TCJ article describing events leading to the passage of this act. Tribal College Journal

Tribal Colleges Celebrate Land-Grant Anniversary— Nearly a quarter of a century ago, members of Congress crafted legislation that allowed us to reach an important milestone in our nation’s effort to achieve equity in research, education, and extension. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Help Us Advocate for Tribal College and University Students— Take action about issues facing Native education.

Tribal College Journal, a quarterly publication of AIHEC— Become a subscriber to receive a quarterly print issue and gain online access to all of TCJ's articles published since 1989. SUBSCRIBE
TCJ Job Announcements and Internship Opportunities

Blackfeet Community College Students at Summer Encampment Glacier National Park

Blackfeet Community College students during Summer Encampment at Glacier National Park. Photo by Laurel Vielle.

member meetings

2019 Annual Legislative Summit, February 4–8, 2019
2019 Spring Conference, March 14-16, 2019
2019 Summer Conference, (date TBD)
2019 Fall Conference, October 7-9, 2019
2020 Annual Legislative Summit, February 3–6, 2020
2022 Spring Conference, March 24–26, 2022

student meetings/events

  • Spring Conference, March 17-19, 2019
  • National Basketball Tournament, March 21-24, 2019
  • Spring Conference, March 26-29, 2022

College of Menominee Nation

College of Menominee Nation 2016 Grads. Photo by college.

TCU spotlight

IAIA student Hailey SuinaInstitute of American Indian Arts—IAIA Student Hailey Suina (Cochiti Pueblo) wins $15,000 award to study in New Zealand. Santa Fe New Mexican

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College—FDLTCC wins marketing and communication award. TCJ Article

Blackfeet Community College—Building Tribal Teacher Capacity for BCC's Community. "Education truly makes a difference in our society as Blackfeet people and society as a whole. Our unique worldview is valid and important. This couldn’t be more evident than in the lives of local teacher candidates at Blackfeet Community College." PR Oct 3, 2018

Diné College—Congratulation on Diné's 50th Anniversary! Indian Country Today

Navajo Technical University—NTU is ranked 3rd on the list of best colleges in New Mexico. Recognized as a leader in science and technology, NTU also provides a center for digital technologist with hands-on experiences, a variety of student activities, personalized education, and an array of national accreditations including the following programs: culinary and baking, veterinary technician, and industrial & electrical engineering. bestcolleges.com

MORE TCU News

Dine College Navajo Culture Class

Diné College Navajo Culture Class. Photo by Edward McCombs.

for TCU students

Summer 2019: Youth Health Equity Model of Practice (YHEMOP)
Application deadline: February 22, 2019
Through the YHEMOP program, OMH provides opportunities for Health Equity Fellows (i.e., students enrolled in higher education studies) to assist in meeting the needs of diverse organizations by completing short-term health equity projects. Requirements and Timeline

Native American Congressional Internship
Application deadline: January 31, 2019
The Native American Congressional Internship Program provides American Indian and Alaska Native students with the opportunity to gain practical experience with the federal legislative process in order to understand first-hand the government-to-government relationship between tribes and the federal government. Announcement

TCU Students & Alums: We need you! ACT NOW!
Save Student Aid—Contact Congress NOW to SAVE STUDENT AID: President Trump proposes to cut federal student aid by $150 billion over 10 years—limiting maximum Pell; eliminating SEOG, and making deep cuts to TRIO, GEAR UP, and federal Work Study. These cuts will harm AI/AN students and their families. Share your story with Congress, and tell your friends & family to do the same.
Resources: Association Partner Packet

TCU Student Opportunities
AIHEC Student Congress

Who We Are

In 1973, the first six American Indian tribally controlled colleges established AIHEC to provide a support network as they worked to influence federal policies on American Indian higher education. Today, AIHEC has grown to 38 TCUs in the United States.

World Indigenous Games 2015

12th Annual World Indigenous Games in Brazil.

Each tribal college was created and chartered by its own tribal government or the federal government for a specific purpose: to provide higher education opportunities to American Indians through programs that are locally and culturally based, holistic, and supportive.

AIHEC Photo Gallery

What We Do

Our primary function is advocacy—telling the stories of the Tribal College Movement. Over the past four decades, AIHEC has worked to help ensure that the principle of tribal sovereignty is recognized and respected and that TCUs are equitably included in this nation's higher education system.

MN TCU reps meet with Rep Betty McCollum

MN TCU presidents and students meet with Rep. Betty McCollum during the AIHEC Capitol Hill visits. Photo by LLTC.

Who We Serve

TCUs are chartered by their respective tribal governments, including the ten tribes within the largest reservations in the United States. They operate more than 75 campuses in 16 states—virtually covering Indian Country—and serve students from well more than 230 federally recognized Indian tribes.

TCU Presidents Spoonhunter and Littlebear

TCU Presidents Marlin Spoonhunter (WRTC) and Richard Littlebear (CDKC).