School communities thrive when educators actively foster wellness. Educators working in First Nations communities conceptualize wellness in unique ways and are active agents in creating opportunities to meet their own wellness needs. This research explores conceptions, supports, and challenges related to wellness from the perspectives of teachers…

Many tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) have a strong focus on career and technical education (CTE), offering students a plethora of opportunities to develop skillsets that prepare them for the workforce. In today's job market, there is a dearth of skilled laborers such as hospitality workers, construction managers, dental hygienists,…

Despite the rise of mainstream higher education institutions, minority groups who have attended these institutions experienced challenges of retention, persistence, and low graduation rate. Because of these issues and others, such as segregation and racism, minority groups such as African and Native Americans found an opportunity to self-educate…

As a result of historical trauma, it is an important step for Indigenous communities to take control of the research taking place with Indigenous populations. This is imperative due to the historical dehumanization of Native American people. Decolonizing research happens when researchers work together to foster the idea that they are with…

After serving more than 20 years as president of Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC) in Montana, President Carole Falcon-Chandler leaves behind a long list of accomplishments, a legacy of compassionate and visionary leadership. This article examines President Falcon-Chandler's life and contributions to the college and that of her successor, Dr. Sean…

This overview describes themes from the "Tribal Advocacy for Educational Change: Systemic Approaches" webinar. Tribal leaders from New Mexico and Washington addressed the ongoing realities of colonization that impact public education systems. They detailed how tribes, governments, and Native-serving organizations are designing systemic…

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Department of Education (CADOE) functions as a tribal education department (TED) in western rural Oklahoma, situated within a tribal government that has a total membership of 13,212; 3,160 of whom are ages 3-18 years. CADOE has supported and advocated for equal opportunity and access for Cheyenne and Arapaho families and…

This article explores how leadership education and program development is centered on the needs of students, local tribal communities, and institutional charter within the Tribal College and University (TCU) context. Two leadership-based academic programs at two respective TCUs are discussed through the lens of a culturally appropriate framework…

This article describes storywork and collaborative meaning making as relational practices that can support stakeholder learning about curricular sovereignty with(in) rural Indigenous-serving school districts. While various treaties and policies exist to protect the educational interests of Indigenous Nations, enacting curricular sovereignty often…

The problem addressed in this study involved the challenges and cultural barriers to the transition to virtual learning that teachers faced due to the 2020-2021 pandemic in a K-12 Native American tribally controlled school. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry study was to garner teachers' perceptions through their stories of…

Native American communities work to preserve and enhance traditional culture in urban and rural environments through an emphasis on strengthening sovereignty and self-determination in order to protect and promote culture and arts programming, giving opportunities for community members and students. Interventions for youth often utilize…

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is a one-of-a-kind college dedicated to contemporary Native American arts and open to all peoples. The curriculum at IAIA includes innovative and integrative approaches to the arts as they connect to culture and science. The celebration of art and cultural identity are included in IAIA's Land-Grant…

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is helping to facilitate tribal colleges' role as a link between Native communities and national and global scientific resources. AIHEC's STEM initiatives are in the early stages of what is a long-term effort to respond to the rapid acceleration of emerging challenges and opportunities that…

This chapter explains how and why Tribal College and University (TCU) enrollment positively influences Native American student persistence in mainstream four-year institutions. It also explores existing partnerships between TCUs and mainstream four-year institutions that could help to improve the transfer process, and overall, Native American…

The Aseto'ne Network Project (ANP) is a healthcare initiative of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) that builds relationships with tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and promotes student interest and engagement through mentorship and self-paced, Native-relevant, health research education. The curriculum emphasizes a…