As we head into the Fall season and semester, it seems everyone is wondering where the Summer went. If you read on, you'll hear about some of our Summer work. We are looking forward to a productive Fall will numerous upcoming conferences and events. Watch for us if you're attending AISES, NAFOA, and NCAI. Meanwhile, take a look at our upcoming training schedule with the bi-annual Tribal Financial Managers Professional Development Training scheduled for December.  

AIPI at the Santa Fe Indian Marketplace

In August, the AIPI staff attended the 96th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and most prestigious Native American art show in the world. This event brought over 100,000 visitors to the Santa Fe Plaza on August 19-20, 2017.  AIPI hosted a booth in the non-profit information section to conduct surveys for its Tribal Technology Assessment research project. It was the ideal setting to engage Native American’s and their families.

We collected non-identifiable data from residents of tribal lands towards completion of a report about: (1) barriers to accessing the Internet on tribal lands, (2) what residents use the internet for, and (3) the affordability of the service. AIPI also provided literature and information on the mission and history of the office and educated the general public on the training programs that AIPI provides to and for the Native American communities in the U.S.  

In addition, while in Santa Fe, AIPI Director, Traci Morris, and Research and Policy Analyst, Brian Howard, met with Dr. Robert Martin, the President of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) about potential partnerships. IAIA is a tribal college and the only institute of higher learning in the world dedicated to contemporary Native American Art. Established in 1962 under President Kennedy, It is one of only three Congressionally chartered schools in the country.  IAIA enrolls over 700 Native American Students from 100 tribes in 33 states. The meeting opens new doors for collaboration and growth which translates to more opportunities for Native American communities.

AIPI Research & Policy Analyst Attends Udall Foundation Scholar Orientation as Alum Facilitator

Last month AIPI Research & Policy Analyst, Brian Howard, participated as a facilitator and team leader for the 2017 Udall Scholars Orientation. Mr. Howard is a 2010 alumnus of the Udall Foundation's Native American Internship program and was invited by the Foundation to assist with the Udall 2017 Scholars Orientation program. 

The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation was established by Congress in 1992 as an agency within the Executive Branch of the U.S. Federal Government. The Foundation was created to honor the legacy of the Udall family in Arizona and their public service leadership in Congress and the Administration to protect the environment, public lands, natural resources, and the self-governance rights of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments.

Every year the Udall Foundation awards undergraduate scholarships to college sophomores and juniors interested in public service, environmental protections/natural resources, and issues related to American Indian and Alaska Native Nations. As part of the scholarship, awardees are provided a week-long intensive training on environmental conflict resolution, professional development, American Indian and Alaska Native sovereignty and Federal Indian Law issues, and work on a case study to develop communication and collaboration skills to work with multiple stakeholders and tribal and non-tribal governments.

Of the 494 candidates from 224 colleges and universities that applied for the Udall Foundation Scholarship, 50 scholarships were awarded with one being selected from Arizona State University; Ms. Megan Tom from the Navajo Nation was the sole recipient from Arizona State University to receive this highly-competitive Udall Foundation Scholarship. While at ASU, she works for the ASU Center for Indian Education as a Junior Research Scholar and is a former President of the ASU American Indian Council.

AIPI would like to congratulate Ms. Tom for her achievement and we look forward to her continued work and contributions to the American Indian and Alaska Native community at ASU and beyond.

To view the Udall Foundation Scholarship opportunities and the Native American Congressional Internship program they offer in Washington, DC, please visit the Udall Foundation's website.

TFMC Registration now open

Registration is now open for the December 2017 Tribal Financial Management Certificate Training. This professional certificate training for tribal government financial management practitioners--a component of our Tribal Economic Leadership Program--provides an in-depth background in tribal government finance, Indian law, taxation, and economic development. It is the official training course for the new NAFOA publication, Financial Reporting and Information Guide for Tribal Governments and Enterprises a.k.a. “Orange Book”. Attendees can earn up to 20 CPE credits. Register now at www.regonline.com/AIPI_NAFOA_TFMC_FALL2017

Updates from our Inno-Nations entrepreneurs:

Kristen Dorsey released a new collection: The Hatchet Women Collection - celebrating the contributions of women in Chickasaw History.  The sculptural jewelry pieces are studded with semi-precious stones and represent the wearer's inner strength. To illustrate the Hatchet Women history, she released a collection video which is featured on the homepage of her website www.kristendorseydesigns.com

Candice Mendez, owner of Salt.V.Mo, gives back to the community by giving an Event Planning 101 session to T3 students at the Partner for Native Americans. The session was conducted at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Guadalupe, Arizona. The T3 Program is designed for individuals working in Tribal Community kitchens that would like to increase their knowledge in Native Foods and culinary skills.

Kelsey Haake and Inuvut Financial Services is excited to announce their online financial services blog, where we talk about financial topics with an Indigenous spin. Inuvut Financial Services provides financial literacy workshops and planning for tribes and look to build financially knowledgeable tribal members for the betterment of our future. Find out more at: www.inuvutfinancial.com.

Native Organization Entertainment has new t-shirt designs available. Shipping available and you can pay through PayPal. Visit us at  www.facebook.com/ndeedesigns.

American Indian and Alaska Native Enrollment Sees Continuous Growth

This academic year, ASU welcomes 11,500 freshmen to the Class of 2021. Among them, there are 2,770 American Indian and Alaska Native students. According to records, AI/AN enrollment is increasing every year. Here is a breakdown of enrollment:

NEW STUDENTS (674)
            Freshmen - 350     
            Transfers - 321
            NonDegree - 3

GRADUATE (443)
            Doctoral - 100
            Masters - 312
            CER/NDG - 31
 
LAW (57)
            1ST Professional - 41
            Masters - 16
 
UNDERGRADUATE (2,270)
            Freshmen - 373
            Sophomore - 427
            Junior - 621
            Senior - 790
            Non-Degree - 3
            Post-Bac - 56
 
BY CAMPUS
            Downtown - 472
            EAC - 2
            Online - 804
            Polytechnic - 128
            ThunderBird - 3
            Tempe - 1,217
            Tucson - 12
            West - 124
 
357 MAJORS REPRESENTED

CALENDAR