fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

DENVER, Colo. — The philanthropic arm of apparel and footwear company VF Corp. — known for brands such as The North Face, JanSport, Vans and Dickies — has created a new scholarship program to help American Indian and Alaska Native students. 

The Denver, Colo.-based VF Foundation granted $25,000 to the American Indian College Fund to launch the The VF Foundation Full Circle Scholarship Program. The program will provide Native students enrolled as business majors with a $4,500 annual scholarship, according to a statement. 

Native students attending higher education in California, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Texas are eligible for the program. 

“As we work to build flourishing economies in tribal communities, knowledge about business ownership and development is essential,” Cheryl Crazy Bull, president and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said in a statement. “We appreciate The VF Foundation partnering with us to build the next generation of Native business leaders.”

The scholarships will be split among three students attending a tribal college or university and two students enrolled at a traditional institution of higher education.

This year’s scholarship recipients are: 

  • Dion Barrett, Leech Lake Tribal College, Minnesota;
  • Christopher Begay, Colorado State University, Colorado;
  • Milton Budreau, Leech Lake Tribal College, Minnesota;
  • Douglas Clark, Leech Lake Tribal College, Minnesota; and
  • Dawn Knight, Golden Gate University, California.

The VF Foundation provides funding for nonprofit organizations that support the “betterment of people and the planet,” including those that empower diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“The VF Foundation believes education is the great equalizer in our society,” VF Foundation Director Gloria Schoch said in a statement. “We’re honored to join the American Indian College Fund to foster academic achievement and meaningful career pathways for future AIAN leaders who will one day help to improve the social and economic conditions present in their communities.”

More Stories Like This

Native Forward Scholars Fund Announces 2025 Students of the Year at Empowering Scholars Summit
Navajo Nation Speaker Curley and Council Delegate Dr. Nez Join Education Leaders to Address Federal Budget Cuts
Mackie Moore (Cherokee) Named Interim President of Haskell Indian Nations University
Mohawk Students File Legal Suit Over Changes Impacting Access to Federal Financial Aid
Trump Administration Proposes Deep Cuts to Tribal College Funding, Threatening Their Survival

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

 
 
About The Author
Native News Online Staff
Author: Native News Online StaffEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at [email protected].