Davids Introduces Legislation Recognizing Importance of Tribal Colleges and Universities

This week, Representative Sharice Davids introduced legislation designating the week of February 5, 2024 as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.” The resolution recognizes the importance of these institutions to the economic, educational, and social wellbeing of Indian Country. Davids serves as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and was one of the first two Native women elected to Congress.

“Tribal Colleges and Universities, including Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, provide unique educational opportunities for Native and non-Native students, and support the communities they serve through entrepreneurial and equivalency programs,” said Davids. “These institutions are critical because they develop our workforce capacity with knowledge and skills grounded in cultural traditions and values. I am proud to lead my colleagues in re-introducing this legislation.”

“We are grateful to Representative Davids and her colleagues in the U.S. House for recognizing the unique relationship that our Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) have with the federal government by designating the week of February 5th National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week,” said John Phillips, President & CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). “Through self-determination, TCUs were created and chartered by their own Tribal governments or the U.S. Federal government to provide higher education opportunities to American Indians and Alaska Natives. We invite everyone to celebrate this week with us and learn more about the Nation’s accredited TCU’s as well as our emerging institutions.”

This resolution recognizes the 34 accredited Tribal colleges and universities, which serve students from more than 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes, operating on 90 campuses across 16 states. Similar legislation has passed Congress in each of the previous six congressional terms.