> I am looking for help for a Chippewa graduate student who wants to pursue
> his studies here at the University of South Florida. Our University only
> provides for Seminole/Miccosukee--it has NOTHING for other Native Americans.
>
> This is making us all sick in our Department; we want to help him, but have
> run out of ideas...
The American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) supports many Native graduate
students. They do have a priority of the majors they support. I don't
know where anthropology is on their list, but I am sure it is included.
AIGC
4520 Montgomery Blvd N.E.
Suite 1-B
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-881-4584
I'm a microbiology major so, I'm not sure how it works for other fields.
But, if someone in your department has an NIH R01 grant or an NSF grant,
they can call their program officer, let them know they have a student
who is Native American who wants to do some research with them. They
will ask for a simple summary of the project to be done, student info,
then they will review it (6-8 weeks) and provide funding to the PI in the
form of salary for the student and supply money for the project.
Another good source is your local research administration office. Most
can do a computer search specific to field and come up with numerous
resources for minorities within that field. Since Native Americans are
usually the most under-represented within any category you want to name,
we are often the first in line for funding.
The state of Montana offers tuition fee waivers to Indian students. I
don't know if this is true for you, if not, ask "Why not?". If there is
a Native American Studies or Minority Affairs office on your campus, they
often offer scholarships or loans. Most departments offer a limited
number of teaching assistantships (fee waiver included). Sometimes a
tribe, if they have some resources, will pay for graduated school in
return for a service contract ie work for the tribe for a specified
amount of time.
I have a very STRONG suggestion. DON'T TAKE "NO" FOR AN ANSWER. There
is always a way around, under, over or through an obstacle. Sometimes
Creator puts these in our way to test us, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?
Peace,
Judy