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Paige Kimiksana Kreps Pursues Passion to Have Inuit Voices Heard

June 10, 2026/in News, Toronto Metropolitan University

This article was originally written by Toronto Metropolitan University, one of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation’s grantee partners. It is shared here with permission.

Johnson Scholarship Foundation supports Public Administration and Indigenous Governance Program

Growing up near Toronto, Paige Kimiksana Kreps felt removed from her Inuvialuit culture. As a teenager, she began reconnecting with the Inuit community, and eventually working in Toronto and across Ontario, helping to build programs and services for urban Inuit.

After completing a business degree, Paige was feeling disconnected from her work and wanted a career aligned with her values. Then she discovered the Public Administration and Indigenous Governance program run by the Yellowhead Institute and the Department of Politics and Public Administration at TMU, and everything shifted.

“I really wanted to move towards somewhere where you can do more research, focus on policy work, and hopefully ensure there are Inuit voices in these rooms.”

A gift that opens doors

Scholarship support from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation is helping make that possible. In 2025, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation made a three-year investment to strengthen the Public Administration and Indigenous Governance program, a partnership between Yellowhead Institute and the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI). The program is training the next generation of Indigenous leaders through culturally grounded, academically rigorous learning, leading to university degrees, and stronger governance capacity and self-determination in Indigenous communities.

This builds on the foundation’s Indigenous Student Excellence Scholarship program at TMU, launched in 2020, which supports five Indigenous students each year with peer mentoring, career development and renewable financial support.

Removing barriers with the Vernon Yellowhead Zhooniya

The 2025 investment created a new fund called the Vernon Yellowhead Zhooniya, named for the advocate of environmental stewardship and Indigenous knowledge from Rama First Nation. The fund helps cover practical costs like travel, child care and technology – barriers that can prevent students from completing post-secondary programs.

The investment also allows Yellowhead to continue developing an Indigenous-centred curriculum, co-designed with students, faculty and Indigenous communities.

“This collaboration with Johnson Scholarship Foundation will result in sustainability for the Public Administration and Indigenous Governance program and much needed support for students,” says Hayden King, executive director of the Yellowhead Institute.

“The Johnson Scholarship Foundation is proud to continue partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University by expanding access to higher education for Indigenous students,” says Bobby Krause, chief executive officer of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. “By supporting the Vernon Yellowhead Zhooniya, we can empower even more Indigenous students to lead and strengthen the communities they serve across Canada.”

Leading from a place of strength

For Paige, the goal is clear. She looks up to national organizations like Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Inuit Circumpolar Council – and wants to work with them.

“I want to be working in one of these organizations where I can effect change and spend time with politicians, leaders and make sure that voices are heard,” she says. “I am really grateful to the Johnson Scholarship Foundation and Yellowhead for supporting this program and students.”

Photo courtesy of Toronto Metropolitan University.

Northwest Indian College Alums Use Financial Knowledge to Support Native Communities

July 17, 2025/in News, Northwest Indian College

By Hannah Deadman-Arnst

For the Hayes family (Spokane), giving back is everything. Using insights they learned in college, they hope to better equip Native communities for financial freedom.

Though their mother encouraged the pursuit of higher education, the journey wasn’t easy. Estabon played football for a junior college but wasn’t focused on classes. After working various jobs, he realized he wanted more. He earned an associate’s at Northwest Indian College (NWIC) then received a bachelor’s degree in tribal governance business management in 2019.

His sister Sasha dropped out of high school and spent time in the Job Corps before taking the leap.

“I became a single mom and came home crying about my life and my choices,” she recalls. “Estabon asked me, ‘What are you going to do?’” Sasha took the advice to heart, and earned her undergraduate degree from NWIC in 2023.

Building on Business Insights

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation supports scholarships at Northwest Indian College for Indigenous business and entrepreneurship students. The scholarship enabled Estabon to cover crucial expenses during college.

For Sasha, it meant she wouldn’t have to work while taking classes.

“The scholarship was transformative,” shares Estabon, who has also founded several businesses of his own, including Hest Collaborations for custom apparel and Brick Poppa, which sells pop culture collectibles. “That was the bridge we needed to survive and continue learning.”

During Estabon’s junior year, he also joined the American Indian Higher Education Consortium Student Congress. The group offers professional development, networking, and other opportunities to students attending any of the 37 tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in the U.S.

“Indian Country can feel small, but when you get out of your bubble, you see there are Natives everywhere,” Estabon says. “Economic development is such a major part of our life now. There are very few cultures who are that dependent upon businesses being profitable. As an entrepreneur, I want to know everything I can about building and growing a company.”

Cultivating Thriving Communities

Estabon Hayes (Spokane) smiles for a photo with his colleague Shyanna Klatt, left, mother Helen, and sister Sasha (right).

Estabon encouraged Sasha and his mother to join him in pursuing an MBA with a focus on finance—something he believes won’t just elevate their own companies, but the broader Native community. All three will earn their degrees from Eastern Washington University in spring 2026.

They’re also developing a financial literacy curriculum for tribes in Washington State, teaching core concepts like creating budgets and saving.

“Being in Indian Country, you’re exposed to different organizations that want to help but don’t understand how to,” Estabon shares. “I’ve worked with Intuit and the largest financial companies in the world, and they don’t know how to teach financial literacy.”

The goal of their program? Engage tribes for an 18-year service, with quarterly trainings that empower local leaders to bring these same practices to future generations.

“We grew up with Natives who received $100,000 at age 18 and have nothing to show for it,” says Estabon, who now lives in the Bellingham, Washington area. “But if you have 100k and you invest it into an index fund, before age 28 you’re a multimillionaire. You can’t just tell someone that. You have to get them to want it for themselves.”

Estabon emphasizes these concepts are nothing new. Rather, it’s a reframing; instead of saving salmon or other resources, it’s dollars. He believes this resource-first approach will transform how Native people look at money.

“Most MBAs are geared toward connections,” says Estabon. “For us it’s different—we are not just gaining knowledge for ourselves. You don’t gain knowledge to hoard it—you gain knowledge to share it.”

National Center’s Chris James Shares Insights on Business Education in Indian Country

December 20, 2024/in News, Sherry Salway Black

Written by Sherry Salway Black, Johnson Scholarship Foundation board vice chair

Over the past 30 years, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation (JSF) has been supporting Native students pursuing business education through scholarships at tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), Native-serving institutions and other universities.

Sherry Salway Black is Board Vice Chair of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. She is wearing a black blazer and has short silver hair.

Sherry Salway Black, JSF board vice chair, sat down with Chris James, president & CEO of the National Center.

The focus on education comes from the founder, Ted Johnson, Sr. The “business” education focus was the result of site visits to Indian Country. In the early and mid 1990s Ted Johnson, Jr. and Malcolm Macleod, son and nephew of JSF founders, respectively, traveled and met with TCU and tribal leaders. They heard about—and saw firsthand—the need for more economic activity in Native communities. They knew it was a golden opportunity to help make change.

Given JSF’s mission and focus, I was excited to be talking with the head of the oldest, largest business-focused organization serving Indian Country—and someone with significant business knowledge and experience personally, to get his take on the importance of Native students pursuing business education and degrees. Here is what Chris James has to say.

Q: Given your longtime involvement in Native business, what do you think is the role of business education for Native people?

A: Tribes continue to grow their enterprises. They need to have people, preferably from their communities, to manage these entities. We need to have people trained in management, finance, accounting, marketing, and other disciplines. Having a pipeline of Native people educated in business is important to meet the needs of tribal businesses.

Alaska Native corporations have done this well, supporting their members through scholarships, internships, and pathways to management. Ho Chunk Inc. has also done this well, building a pipeline of tribal citizens to move into their expanding tribal enterprises. I know there are other tribes doing this as well.

How can we create management jobs within our companies that are accessible to our own people? With the growth of tribal enterprises and the increasing sophistication of tribal government programs, sometimes in the billions, we need people from our communities with management experience. We need team members with the community and cultural knowledge and business education and sense to achieve success.

It’s important to engage youth early. Youth may not see many pathways growing up on the reservation. I didn’t really see many when I graduated high school. I had the option to go to college or to stay at home and work in the family business. Creating these pathways to college, entrepreneurship, and work is important.

Citizen entrepreneurs are important because then you have a business owner—and every time you have a business owner, you have a potential community leader. These are the people who may become leaders of the tribe, council members, school board members—making important decisions for their communities.

Q: What advice would you give to Native students who want to study business?

A: My advice is to look for a mentor. This person could be from inside your community or from the outside. Look for someone to whom you can just say, “Hey, how did you do it? What was your path? What classes did you take in college? What motivated you to go to college? What opportunities were there for you inside or outside of your community?”

Chris James is president and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

And do not be afraid to ask questions. It’s okay to send emails to folks and say, “I know you have a successful business. I’d love to have a conversation.”

Try to find someone who might have an opportunity. The National Center works with hundreds of businesses throughout Indian Country. There could be a mentor or internship opportunity there. And if you are told “no” the first time, don’t get discouraged. You may have to go to 20 people before someone says, “Yes, I can help you with this.” You have to be the one empowered. Everyone can give you resources but you have to find the strength within yourself and know how to use those resources to be successful.

Q: At the annual JSF Entrepreneurship Scholarship meeting when we bring together representatives of the schools we are actively working with or have endowments, the need for mentors and internships is always a high priority. What advice would you give to Native business students who are looking for mentors and internship placements?

A: #1. You have to search, dig, and put yourself out there. Use all the technology you have available to search for opportunities. Use artificial intelligence, like chatGPT, to help you. And think through the type of internship you want. Use your community networks. There may be opportunities working for your tribe, perhaps in offices you hadn’t thought about before.

#2. Make sure you are prepared. Take some time to work on your resume—work with your school, parents, and even technology to get your resume up to par. It may take someone else to see or hear about your experience and [help you] present it accurately.

#3. Get out of your comfort zone. You need to be proactive and engaged if you want to get to the next level. Instead of waiting for someone to ask you to do something, be there with ideas. Never go to a meeting with an empty notebook. You bring your ideas to the table. That’s going to help you be prepared when you get the job or the internship.

The National Center has this great recognition program, “40 Under 40”, and you can go to the website to see all 600 amazing Native people over the past 15 years. This list could be one of those resources to look for a potential mentor.

Q: What are the types of businesses that a younger generation might be interested in starting?

A: There are so many exciting areas where we see potential growth. These go hand-in-hand with those mentioned in the part one of our interview—technology, exporting to international markets, federal contracting, and environmental businesses. Let me focus specifically on one sector: agriculture. We have land that is either leased to others or not used efficiently. How can we put it to more productive use? Farming itself has changed since I grew up. Now technology can analyze specific needs for specific products. Food sustainability and safety are big challenges now—and places to look for opportunities.

And I want to be sure to mention the growing number of Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs)—close to 70 certified organizations across 27 states. These organizations make capital, training, and technical assistance available to Native people with existing and startup businesses. The National Center recently launched its own CDFI—Native Edge Finance to focus on clean energy projects.

Native people—particularly students in business-related degree programs, have so many exciting opportunities available today.

Author’s note: This interview took place before the December 18 announcement of philanthropist MacKenzie Scott awarding more than $100 million to Native CDFIs in the United States.

National Center’s Chris James Shares Insights on the State of Native Business and What’s Ahead

November 22, 2024/in National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, News, Sherry Salway-Black

Written by Sherry Salway Black, Johnson Scholarship Foundation board vice chair

There are few people in Indian Country who have the well-rounded experience and depth of knowledge about Native business and economic development than Chris James. He comes from a family of small business owners in western North Carolina, the homelands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He grew up with firsthand experience. And he learned more about business in his youth through Junior Achievement USA, coming full circle as he now sits on the board of the national Junior Achievement organization.

Sherry Salway Black, JSF board vice chair, sat down with Chris James, president & CEO of the National Center.

Before he left his Cherokee home, he served as staff for the Sequoyah Fund, Inc., a Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI)—serving his home community with business technical assistance and capital. Chris took that hands-on experience to Washington, D.C, where he worked as a liaison between the Treasury Department CDFI Fund, Tribal governments, and other federal agencies. He was appointed in 2011 by President Barack Obama to serve as Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he led the Offices of Field Operation and Native American Affairs and launched the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

In 2017 Chris became the president and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (National Center), the oldest and largest Native organization providing business development and training. During his tenure, he doubled the National Center’s revenue, expanding procurement and training programs throughout the country while boosting attendance at the annual Reservation Economic Summit by nearly 30 percent in the last five years.

I was fortunate to visit recently with Chris and his amazing staff in their Mesa, Ariz. headquarters—and participate in a podcast episode (ep. 14). As a quid pro quo, Chris kindly agreed to an interview with me to honor Native American Heritage Month.

Q: Describe your view of the state of Native business and entrepreneurship today and the major changes over the past 20 to 30 years.

A: I see the state of Native business and entrepreneurship from a global perspective in two key areas: growth in diversification and growth in federal and corporate partnerships.

Gaming was a new sector for tribes 30 to 40 years ago. Going from bingo halls to casino gaming was a big transition in the late 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s and had been the laser focus of tribal economic development. Now gaming is just one piece. Diversification of tribal businesses might include agriculture or building an IT company or government contracting. There are so many diverse business opportunities. These businesses can be tribally- or individually-owned.

Q: Could you explain what you mean by federal and corporate partnerships?

A: Twenty years ago, a federal agency or federal program may have had one Native coordinator, but they were few and far between. Even 15 years ago when I was in the federal government, I was sometimes the only Native voice in the room. Fast forward to today—the Biden Administration has really increased that number. This growth is a big deal. Now, instead of one voice in the room, you often have four to five voices. That’s all the way from the White House level and trickling down through the agencies. The National Center did a profile in 2020 of Native individuals in key positions in the federal government. We identified more than 10 in high-level key leadership and decision-making positions, starting with Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland.

Chris James, president and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

Q: Is the same true for corporations?

A: Yes, it is. Twenty years ago, we rarely had an office or a person who was dedicated to Native American business and communities. Now Amazon, Walmart, and Alaska Airlines all have coordinators. Nike has a huge division—N7. It’s the Native voice not only diversifying the corporation but also advocating for more Native businesses in the supply chain, more support for youth programs, and support for more Native employees. We are well under one percent in those corporations, but there is an increased focus. Those employees are having an impact.

And, corporations are starting to understand the diversity of Native business. Fifteen or 20 years ago, these corporations may have had a notion of a Native business as an artisan—which is a great business. Now they are seeing that a Native business actually has the capacity to do a half-a-billion-dollar contract. Corporations now want to partner more with Native businesses.

Q: What do you see in the future for Native businesses?

A: I see the trends above continuing. Tribally-owned corporations will continue to grow and diversify. This helps the community with job creation; it helps the community foster a sense of entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s an income stream for the tribe to diversify their own portfolio. I don’t see that stopping. In fact, I think there are even more resources out there to help them grow. About two years ago the National Center launched an export office. We’re helping not only individuals, but tribes get into international markets. About 96 percent of companies do business only in the US. There are markets outside the U.S. Our tribally- and individually-owned businesses are seeing those opportunities and going after them.

There has been an emphasis in the Biden Administration with the CHIPS and Science Act, bringing more technology back to the United States, especially manufacturing semiconductors and microchips. Tribes need to be able to access these opportunities—from manufacturing all the way to an individual being part of a subcontract. It also brings in more job creation for our communities.

Another opportunity is to create more environmentally friendly businesses, looking for ways to create cheaper and more sustainable energy sources. We need to think about helping the earth heal itself. It could include solar, wind, or hydrogen energy technology. Tribes are looking at those environmental projects to not only support their communities by creating more energy for environmental sustainability, but also creating more jobs.

Q: What about the role of the individual entrepreneur or small business owner in the future?

A: There is also more focus on the citizen entrepreneur. There are opportunities with the growing number of Native CDFIs—especially the “legacy” NCDFIs that have been around for over 20 years.

When I started in the CDFI industry, we were like a start-up business. We struggled, constantly looking for funds, trying to get more clients and projects; trying to figure out our role in the community. Now over 20 to 30 years later, the established CDFIs, the legacy CDFIs—there are probably about 10 or so that I could name. They now have a track record, they know their communities, they are innovating, and they’ve built programs specifically around the needs of their communities and supporting that entrepreneur—the citizen entrepreneur—giving them the tools to build sustainable businesses, supporting them with capital and crucial training. The CDFIs have done well in our communities and will continue to do well. We need to look at the impact and what has been created over the years. The impact is multi-generational, and the institutions are stable. Now there are more than 65 NCDFIs in 27 states and more in the pipeline—supporting Native citizen entrepreneurs.

Stay tuned for more insights from Chris James this December in a second article, which will focus on Native business students and business education.

Gonzaga Alum Uses Business Leadership & Fitness to Serve Native Communities

October 18, 2024/in Gonzaga University, News

Danny Brigman (Spokane/Kamloops) was always prepared to give back—and his experience at Gonzaga University empowered him to make that desire a reality.

Growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, Brigman says its sense of community inspired him to pursue an education.

“I realized I wanted to set the bar higher for my family and future kids,” he shares. “We have so much potential but there’s a lack of resources [here]. This being my home I wouldn’t feel right to get my education and never come back. This reservation and community have given so much to me, I want to give back.”

He credits his family for his success, as they were a big source of encouragement.

“I’m thankful for my parents. My dad helped build that [sense of community] with me,” Brigman says. “He took me hunting out here. My earliest memories were of spending time in the woods with him.”

After taking classes at Spokane Community College for two years, he transferred to Washington State University (WSU). In 2015, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics, with a focus on comparative ethnic studies.

While academics came naturally to Brigman, the first-gen student had to learn how to navigate college life—especially transitioning from a small high school to college classes with hundreds of students.

While attending WSU, Brigman learned about Gonzaga’s Master of Business Administration in American Indian Entrepreneurship (MBA-AIE), which JSF helped launch in 2001. The program aims to meet the unique needs of Indigenous students living on reservations and spark economic growth. It’s open to enrolled members of federally or state-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. To date, it’s the only MBA program of its kind in the United States.

“I knew the program was meant for me,” he says. A year after earning his bachelor’s, he began the program. During his time at Gonzaga, Brigman worked for the Spokane Tribe of Indians as a bookkeeper and later as the purchasing manager.

He shares that, in addition to honing specific business and technical skills, the MBA-AIE program helped him find his voice.

“MBAs prepare you, but you don’t realize it until you look back or a situation comes up,” he says. “Now, I have the confidence to give a solid answer—and people are listening. Before I would have ideas but not say anything. I feel like that’s a big part of what helped me get ready for my career.”

Brigman earned his MBA in 2018. Now, he’s the finance director for the Spokane Indian Housing Authority. Since undertaking the role, he has led a $3.49 million purchase of housing units in Spokane for tribal members. It was the first time the organization purchased housing outside of the reservation’s boundaries.

In 2021, Brigman organized a 215-mile relay race in honor of the 215 children whose remains were found at Kamloops Indian Residential School in Canada.

An avid runner, he’s also developing an app called Homelands, which brings land acknowledgment to the world of fitness—connecting people to the Native lands on which they walk, hike, run, or explore.

The idea came in 2021 after Brigman learned about the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada where the remains of over 200 Native children were found. He wanted to respond in some way, especially since some of his relatives went through Kamloops.

His response? Raise awareness by running 215 miles for all 215 children. He organized a special relay event, which received an outpour of support—and participants.

Since then, Brigman has organized multiple events. In 2022, he organized a virtual run challenge, where participants logged their miles and flagged the Native lands on which they ran. That sparked an idea: engage everyday athletes by enabling them to track their fitness goals and learn the rich histories of Native lands and peoples.

He fleshed out the idea with an app development company—determining timelines and phases, branding the company, building a social media presence, and more.

Eventually, Brigman envisions Wikipedia-type pages with aggregated data and verified oral histories of tribes. He also aspires to create a youth cross-country team on his reservation and inspire healthy living.

“I’m just looking to get [the app] out there,” he says. “I would love to take the profits of the app and put it back into my community. It might take a bit longer to build, but I’m open to seeing what happens next.”

Salish Kootenai College Alum Uses Education to Inspire Future Students

June 13, 2024/in News, Salish Kootenai College

This article was originally published in the Johnson Scholarship Foundation’s 2023 annual report about Salish Kootenai College, which partnered with the Foundation to create a scholarship endowment for Indigenous students pursuing business and entrepreneurship. Click here to read more content from the annual report.

Makenzi Skellenger (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes) grew up on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. She always knew she wanted to attend college, but recognized it would be a challenge to finance that dream.

Skellenger began attending Salish Kootenai College (SKC) in 2017 to study business administration. Worried about taking on student loans, she did everything possible to independently fund her degree. In her first year, she held two jobs to make ends meet. She also had a long daily commute to work and classes.

During her sophomore year, Skellenger received the Johnson Scholarship. This lifted some of her financial burden so she could take on more meaningful work opportunities. She started as a work-study student at SKC and accepted every internship and opportunity that crossed her path.

“I don’t know if I would have been able to continue my education if it [weren’t] for the Johnson Scholarship Foundation,” Skellenger said. “They allowed me to focus on my academic career and find my passion at SKC. They are also helping support my MBA so that I can bring my knowledge back to my reservation.”

Makenzi Skellenger (wearing a red top) poses for a photo with fellow Gonzaga alumni and JSF staff after the university’s May 2024 commencement.

In 2021, the Johnson Scholar graduated with her bachelor’s degree. But Skellenger didn’t stop there. Along her journey, she discovered a passion for teaching. Recognizing the power of education, she wanted to continue her studies and become a faculty member at Salish Kootenai College—something she believes would not have been possible without JSF.

“I don’t know if I would have been able to continue my education if it [weren’t] for the Johnson Scholarship Foundation,” she said. “They allowed me to focus on my academic career and find my passion at SKC. They are also helping support my MBA so that I can bring my knowledge back to my reservation.”

Since 1992, JSF’s Entrepreneurship Scholarship program has provided scholarships to Indigenous students in business or entrepreneurship. This has supported over 200 students throughout their time at SKC. By covering tuition, fees, and other educational expenses, students can focus on academics, pursue opportunities such as paid internships, and attend events like the American Indigenous Business Leaders annual conference.

Skellenger continues to make her dreams a reality. She joined the SKC business education faculty in January 2023. She also became a Johnson Scholar at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, recently earning her MBA in American Indian Entrepreneurship—a program that JSF created with the university in 2001. She hopes to bring her learnings from Gonzaga to SKC to bridge the gap between tribal colleges and higher education, inspire others, and be the change.

Invisible No More: Reflections During Native American Heritage Month

November 16, 2023/in News, Sherry Salway Black

This article was written by Sherry Salway Black (Oglala Lakota), Board Vice Chair at Johnson Scholarship Foundation.

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Officially designated in 1990 by President H.W. Bush, the acknowledgments and activities today have expanded beyond the grade school stereotype that “Indians and Pilgrims celebrate Thanksgiving.”

Much has changed over the 40+ years I’ve worked for and with Native people, communities and organizations. Now stories about Native Americans, I’m happy to say, are told all year long and mostly by Native people themselves—which has not always been the case. This November, the stories are more numerous, mainstream and educational than simply the “First Thanksgiving.”

Native people have made inroads into areas where we have not been historically. This includes the three branches of the federal government—legislative, executive and judicial. There are five members of the House of Representatives who are Native. There had been six, but Deb Haaland, formerly a representative from New Mexico, was appointed Secretary of the Interior in 2020. She is one of 52 Native people appointed by the Biden Administration in top leadership positions at various departments, boards, commissions, and in the White House. There are now five sitting federal judges who are Native, two of whom were more recently appointed by President Biden. And on November 15, 2023 the Senate confirmed a Native person to be a U.S. ambassador.

Native people now have more of a presence in pop culture and entertainment. There are popular television series such as “Reservation Dogs,” “Dark Winds” and “Rutherford Falls”—to name a few—that have Native actors, directors and producers. While not told from the Native perspective, the recently released Scorsese-directed movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” showcases an unknown part of the history of the Osage people, featuring powerful Native actors. Season 2 of the four-part PBS series, “Native America,” premiered in October. It is directed and produced by Native people with active input from the community and “reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous world.”

There are amazing award-winning authors such as Pulitzer Prize winner, Louise Erdrich, or author Robin Wall Kimmerer, whose book “Braiding Sweetgrass” recently spent two and a half years on the New York Times bestseller list. I don’t want to go down this road too far, as I’ll never be able to note the countless Native people who are leading in new areas and benefitting their communities with positive stories—and role models.

We should also acknowledge the great strides that many tribal governments have made over the past few decades, building their economies, preserving their cultures and creating a better quality of life for their citizens. They are doing this by exercising their sovereignty in small and large ways. Tribal enterprises and Native-owned businesses have grown dramatically over the past decade providing employment, income and the opportunity to build wealth. The number of Native-led nonprofit organizations is growing, meeting needs and making inroads in development finance, arts and culture, philanthropy, activism, health delivery and education, to name a few.

Native people have taken on the challenge of changing the narrative about their people, breaking down the stereotypes. We are not a remnant of the past, but very much alive and thriving today. Out this month is a book to share our stories. “Invisible No More: Voices from Native America” is a joint venture between First Nations Development Institute and Nonprofit Quarterly. I’m honored to be one of more than two dozen Native nonprofit leaders who contributed to this multi-year effort to elevate our stories and our voices.

“Invisible No More” includes lessons for philanthropy about the importance of including, engaging and supporting Indigenous peoples’ efforts. The Johnson Scholarship Foundation has been a leader in supporting education for Indigenous people for over 30 years, providing more than $30 million in scholarships and other grants to institutions across the United States and Canada. JSF chair and former CEO, Malcolm Macleod, recently released a new book, “The Practice of Philanthropy: A Guide for Foundation Boards and Staff,” which also shares lessons learned and strategies from his more than 30 years in philanthropy.

I wish every month of the year celebrated the Indigenous people of this land. The books, movies and Native people represented in more areas and actions, such as land acknowledgments, raise awareness that we are still here—not a historical artifact.

This important work continues.

For more information about the Johnson Scholarship Foundation’s work in funding programs for Indigenous Peoples, click here.

Toronto Metropolitan University Recognizes Orange Shirt Day 2023

November 13, 2023/in News, Toronto Metropolitan University

Community members at Toronto Metropolitan University wear orange shirts and walk on a brick sidewalk. One of them is carrying a blue flag with bear paws. Another wears a shirt that says "every child matters".

Photo courtesy of Nadya Kwandibens

Every year on September 30, Canada recognizes residential school victims and survivors on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also called Orange Shirt Day.

The day of remembrance acknowledges when children were taken from their homes and forced to live in boarding schools across Canada. There, they were prohibited from speaking their languages and often abused. These horrific events occurred from 1883 until 1996, when the last of the residential schools closed their doors.

To commemorate Orange Shirt Day 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), a grantee partner of the Foundation, held several events for community members and Indigenous peoples to reflect.

The university raised the survivors’ flag on campus to honor all survivors, families and communities impacted by Canada’s residential school system. Participants also embarked on a silent walk while wearing orange shirts. Additionally, TMU acknowledged the stark difference between the “educational” institutions and experiences for non-Indigenous and Indigenous students.

Saije Catcheway, a Johnson Scholar and third-year TMU student pursuing business management and law, recently reflected on Orange Shirt Day during an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

“I see Indigenous people as huge healers,” said Catcheway, who is also on TMU’s varsity women’s hockey team. “I think that our new generation is big for healing—and not just shining a light on the negative [parts] of our history but shining a light on how [our culture] can actually be used as a strength.”

Two community members at Toronto Metropolitan University wear orange shirts and stand outside. One of them is playing a blue hand drum and singing.

Photo courtesy of Nadya Kwandibens

As part of the university’s commitment to systemic changes that support Indigenous community members, TMU is implementing an Indigenous Wellbeing and Cultural Practice Leave, where Indigenous staff from Canada can take up to five personal days to support healing and wellbeing, including cultivating cultural interests and practices however they choose.

Indigenous students at TMU can also access culturally supportive programs and services on campus, including peer support groups and Indigenous traditional counseling through Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services (GMISS).

“Reaching out to Indigenous youth and people and just asking [for] their experiences… It’s an easy step to make a huge impact in reconciliation,” Catcheway reflected.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation funds a matching grant for TMU for program support and scholarship assistance for Indigenous students.

At 40, Northwest Indian College Looks Back at Success

June 23, 2023/in News, Uncategorized

The following article was originally written by Natasha Brennan for Tribal College Journal. It is shared here with permission.

Brent Cleveland, a student at Northwest Indian College, speaks to fellow students during a graduation ceremony outside. He's wearing a black cap and gown. Mountains outline the background of the photo.

Brent Cleveland speaks to his fellow graduates at Northwest Indian College’s commencement. Cleveland earned his Bachelor of Arts in tribal governance and business management with highest honors.

As a student at Northwest Indian College (NWIC), Laural Ballew attended American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) meetings while working on her associate’s degree.

“Even though we were all from different tribal colleges and nations, we all had the same drive, ambitions, and dreams. We were being educated and given space to hold onto our culture. I got to see that at a national level thanks to AIHEC,” Ballew said.

After completing her program at NWIC, which only offered associate’s degrees at the time, she completed her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University in 2002 and her master’s in public administration with a concentration in tribal governance from Evergreen State College. When she returned to NWIC as the director of finance, Ballew was later asked to lead the two-year business administration and entrepreneurship programs.

In 2010, NWIC was accredited to offer bachelor’s degrees. An NWIC survey found the community wanted the college’s two-year programs in tribal governance and business management (TGBM) to grow. In researching how to fill that need, Ballew learned there were certificates, two-year programs, and master’s programs for TGBM at other institutions—but not four-year degrees. With the help of her MPA mentor, the late Alan Parker, Ballew adapted Evergreen’s TGBM master’s curriculum into a four-year program at NWIC.

“I had so many students knocking down my door. I didn’t have to advertise. Students were anxious to be the first graduates. Using Evergreen’s curriculum meant our graduates were better prepared for master’s programs,” Ballew said.

In 2013, the Bachelor of Arts in Tribal Governance and Business Management program became the third of four bachelor’s degrees NWIC offers. Designed to develop the skills that support governance and business management in tribal communities and organizations, the program of study offers students the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to succeed in the areas of leadership, sovereignty, economic development, entrepreneurship, and management.

“With funding in-part from the American Indian College Fund [AICF], NWIC was able to acquire 160 acres of land,” vice president of campus development and administration services Dave Oreiro said. “The college’s capital campaign, in collaboration with AICF through AIHEC, expanded the Lummi main campus’ facilities.”

By 2014, the 4,500 square-foot Kwina building became home to the college’s TGBM program. Despite having a new building, TGBM faculty knew the program—being geared toward working students with full-time jobs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders—had to be as accessible as possible. They developed online and hybrid courses, becoming the first four-year program at NWIC to offer them.

“My own story helped me to understand where our students were coming from,” Ballew said. “Juggling family, work, and school isn’t always easy.”

TGBM became a model for the school in developing its distance learning curriculum, which was in the works prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit, the program—which was ahead of its time in online offerings—was instrumental in preparing the school to become an accredited distance learning institution in 2020.

“Going into the pandemic, our faculty and staff were already prepared. That was unique and made our program favorable for working students,” Ballew said.

TGBM faculty and staff have worked to make the program affordable and offer exciting opportunities for students. The program is supported by an endowment with the college’s foundation, including a $1 million match and an additional $100,000 in scholarship awards from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. The program works closely with the College Fund and tribal entities to develop career readiness and internship programming with the Lummi Nation, Intuit, Pyramid Communications, and White Swan Environmental. The program is also working to finalize an official partnership with the Bureau of Trust Fund Operations to support student career pathways with federal government roles that impact tribal nations.

To date, the Tribal Governance and Business Management Program has conferred 160 bachelor’s degrees. Over 40% of the college’s 370 bachelor’s graduates majored in TGBM.

“It goes to show that when you build something that the community wants, the community will help you build it up quickly. The program has great faculty and staff like TGBM department chair Brandon Morris. They know that every day a Native student walks into the classroom or through that virtual door is a success,” Ballew said.

In addition to her role as a member of NWIC’s board of trustees, Ballew serves as Western Washington University’s first executive director of American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nations relations and tribal liaison to the president. She is working on her doctorate in Indigenous development and advancement from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in New Zealand.

“I’m fortunate to have insight into what it’s like to be a student, staff, and administrator. Being on the NWIC board has enabled me to attend AIHEC meetings like I did as a student. Only now I listen to the presidents and administrators who are experiencing the same challenges, relishing in our students’ success, and supporting each other toward bettering Indigenous higher education,” Ballew said. “I am excited to be celebrating 50 years of AIHEC and thankful for their support of Northwest Indian College as we celebrate our 40th year.”

JSF Indigenous Student Excellence Scholars excel and give back at Toronto Metropolitan University: Part 2

May 12, 2023/in News, Toronto Metropolitan University

The following article was submitted by Toronto Metropolitan University. It is shared here with permission.

JSF Indigenous scholar and student-athlete spends summer mentoring students back home

Following closely in the footsteps of Johnson Scholar Cody Anthony is Saije Catcheway, who has recently completed her second year of a Bachelor of Commerce, studying Business Management and Law.

Catcheway cites coming to Toronto to study and join the Varsity Women’s Hockey team as a “dream come true.”

She too is a recipient of the JSF Scholarship, which Catcheway says reinforced her belief in herself. “This gracious gift showed that my hard work is paying off and relieved a weight from my shoulders,” she says. “I’m grateful for being able to continue my education while knowing that I’m able to pay my living expenses and my transportation home.”

Catcheway is Ojibwe-Cree and returns home for four months in the summer break to Skownan First Nation in Manitoba to mentor students from Grade 3 to Grade 7 through speaking engagements and athletics. Her mentorship initiative is funded by the Ted Rogers Student’s Society Leadership Award.

Education on the reservation only goes to Grade 10, but – thanks to a scholarship – Catcheway, who was born and raised in nearby Winnipeg, had the opportunity to attend and graduate with honors from an all-girls private school. Soon after, she attended college in the U.S., but the high tuition and cost of living led her to leave. She thought her dreams to pursue post- secondary education and play college-level hockey may have ended, until she was accepted to study business at TMU, which she says was always her number-one choice.

She emphasizes that “in the TMU culture, athletics are at a very high standard, but as a student athlete, ‘student’ comes first, academics come first.” Balancing both academic and athletics has helped her hone her time management skills to balance school with practice, training and traveling for hockey games. In the process, she has also been awarded the Ontario University Athletics Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2023.

She feels she’s at TMU “for a reason” and wants to continue to be a role model for her First Nation community and culture, who along with her family have been supportive of her goals.

This summer, she hopes to also mentor the high school students and consult with the Skownan chief, counsel and teachers about expanding opportunities, perhaps online, for learners past Grade 10.

“I want to inspire these kids to further their education. I want to be a role model to promote inclusivity, change and opportunity, especially for Indigenous women in the workplace,” Catcheway says. “I can’t stress enough that you’ve got to love what you’re studying and be passionate about your goals in school in order to do well and to have fun.” She hopes to pursue a law degree after graduation.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation continues to make higher education accessible for three additional Indigenous students who are studying Professional Music, Midwifery and Sociology at TMU and who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities.