Since October 1997, Richard B. Williams has served as President & CEO of the American Indian College Fund. A member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, Williams is a leader, educator, advocate and historian. In 2005, Williams received the Educator of the Year award from the National Indian Education Association, the largest and oldest U.S. Indian education organization. In 2007 he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

President's Message

Hau. Mitaku Oyapi,

Hello, All my relatives. This is the Lakota greeting for all people. It is our philosophy that in this world we are all related. The plants, animals, humans and all things share a spirit. It is also our philosophy that in this world we must help each other to survive and grow.

Our donors have demonstrated that they, too, share this philosophy and we are forever grateful for their support. They have helped us make a difference. Still, we need your help.

For the first time in history, our people are experiencing success in higher education in great numbers. A great number of these students attend the nation's tribal colleges and universities. There is no way to describe the transformation that is happening in Indian Country because of the tribal colleges. For the first time for many families, higher education has been embraced and, as a result, has transformed their lives from poverty to hope.

We are at a critical juncture in our efforts to make a difference. Greater numbers of students than ever are enrolling in tribal colleges and as more more students choose to transform their lives through education, there is a greater need for scholarships.

We do want to continue to educate the public regarding not only the needs of our tribal colleges and their students, but also of their remarkable successes. Your help is still needed to sustain and increase the progress we have made at our tribal colleges and the support we provide to our students.

Education makes a difference that lasts a lifetime and beyond. We are changing lives every day. One student at a time.

Thank you for your interest in the American Indian College Fund.

Ocankuye Wasté Yelo,
(In a good way)

Richard B. Williams
President, American Indian College Fund