American Indian Higher Education Consortium Celebrates National Tribal College Week
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium celebrated the week of Feb. 3, as National Tribal College Week with visits to U.S. legislative leaders who have Tribal Colleges and Universities in their respective states.
Each year, AIHEC hosts its member TCUs at a legislative summit with Capitol Hill visits to meet with lawmakers face-to-face and share information about their college’s successes, challenges, and needs.
In support of these efforts, Congress has declared the week of Feb. 3, 2025, National Tribal College Week.
“Our TCUs are chartered by their sovereign Tribal Nations or the federal government and are extensions of those Nations along with the unique political relationship they have with the U.S. government,” said AIHEC president and CEO Ahniwake Rose, “While we are celebrating our TCUs this week, we are also ready to work with federal partners to ensure that all policies and decisions uphold the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Tribal Nations.”
This year’s theme, “Building our Futures: Strengthening our Workforce,” highlighted the importance of TCUs in economic impact and workforce development. Tribal colleges and universities are open-door, placebased institutions that serve not only Tribal citizens but the larger rural community. Some of their congressional requests include considerations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the Workforce Pell Act, and extending Federal Employee Benefits to TCU employees.
The TCU presidents, their staff, and students convening in Washington, D.C., will also meet with representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture and host several student events, including professional opportunities.
