American Indian Higher Education Consortium

Congratulations to the Tribal College and University students who are graduating this week. Don’t miss this week’s graduation:

June 12, 2026
Oglala Lakota College

We are so proud of you, there is no limit to what you can achieve!

Congratulations to Tyler Parisien, AIHEC's Director of Health Initiatives, one of this year's Bush Fellows!

We are snapping, clapping and jumping up and down today as we congratulate the 2026 Bush Fellows! 🎉

Each year, it is an absolute privilege and joy to celebrate 30 amazing leaders from communities all across the region who are bold thinkers working on bold solutions like improving crisis response in rural areas; making healthcare work better for more people; preserving languages and cultural practices for future generations; and finding innovative solutions in economics, housing, media and civic engagement.

Phew! And those are just the highlights! Help us celebrate and spread the word about each of these amazing individuals and their big ideas for making our region work better for everyone: https://bit.ly/4x68UzP

And check back here regularly, because we'll be introducing each individual Fellow over the next several weeks!

Day 1 of in-person learning at the 2026 Health Sciences Summer Institute. Funded by a NIH Narch-Birch grant, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium in partnership with the University of North Dakota, offers TCU students to develop research skills, attend seminars on research methodology, Tribal data sovereignty, and network with Native faculty and students!

This year's Institutional Research Collaborative Conference: "Data Sovereignty in Practice: Strengthening Tribal Control in Institutional Data" will be held July 21 -23, 2026 at Bay Mills Community College in Brimley, MI.

Register here: https://aihec.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9yNw8CybBPDANlc

Anniversary of Indian Citizenship Act

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, a law that extended U.S. citizenship to American Indians and Alaska Natives. While citizenship did not guarantee the right to vote in many states, it was an important step in a much longer journey toward full participation in our democracy.

As we reflect on this history, it is a good reminder that the rights secured by those who came before us are not something to take for granted. I encourage everyone to make sure you are registered to vote, stay informed, and participate in the elections that shape our communities, Tribal Nations, and country.

Anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act, June 2, 1924 - Native American Rights Fund On June 2, 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act was signed into law, granting U.S. citizenship to Native people.

Workforce Pell Opens New Possibilities for Tribal Colleges and Communities

When tribal nations began chartering TCUs in the late 1960s, they did so in response to educational systems that too often failed to reflect Native communities, local economies, and tribal priorities.

Workforce Pell Opens New Possibilities for Tribal Colleges and Communities | American Indian College Fund Ahniwake Rose, President of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, talks about the success of Workforce Pell for Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Haskell Indian Nations University and the Indian Health Service, in partnership with the Haskell Indian Health Center, have signed an agreement to support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art health care facility on Haskell's campus.

Haskell Univ., IHS Ink Deal to Boost Health, Education Haskell Indian Nations University and the Indian Health Service, in partnership with the Haskell Indian Health Center, have signed an agreement to

Congratulations to the Tribal College and University students who are graduating this week. Don’t miss this week’s graduations:

June 4, 2026
California Indian Nations College

June 6, 2026
Salish Kootenai College

We are so proud of you, there is no limit to what you can achieve!

Last week, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College welcomed representatives from American Indian Higher Education Consortium. The gathering provided an opportunity for our Transformation Team to share institutional findings and align priorities, deepening the partnerships that move our mission forward. Miigwech (thank you) to everyone who contributed to these meaningful conversations!