Who We Are
In 1973, the first six American Indian tribally controlled colleges established AIHEC to provide a support network as they worked to influence federal policies on American Indian higher education. Today, AIHEC has grown to 37 TCUs in the United States.
12th Annual World Indigenous Games in Brazil.
Each tribal college was created and chartered by its own tribal government or the federal government for a specific purpose: to provide higher education opportunities to American Indians through programs that are locally and culturally based, holistic, and supportive.
- Carrie Billy, President & CEO
What We Do
Our primary function is advocacy—telling the stories of the Tribal College Movement. Over the past four decades, AIHEC has worked to help ensure that the principle of tribal sovereignty is recognized and respected and that TCUs are equitably included in this nation's higher education system.
MN TCU presidents and students meet with Rep. Betty McCollum during the AIHEC Capitol Hill visits. Photo by LLTC.
Who We Serve
TCUs are chartered by their respective tribal governments, including the ten tribes within the largest reservations in the United States. They operate more than 75 campuses in 16 states—virtually covering Indian Country—and serve students from well more than 230 federally recognized Indian tribes.
TCU Presidents Marlin Spoonhunter (WRTC) and Richard Littlebear (CDKC).