Executive Summary
In 2011, the American Indian College Fund (College Fund) began the work of ensuring all Native children reach their greatest potential by launching the Wakanyeja “Sacred Little Ones” Tribal College School Readiness and Success by Third Grade Initiative, placing powerful resources in the hands of tribal college early childhood teacher education programs (and faculty), tribal college and university (TCU) early learning centers (and partners), teachers, families, and children.
2
The Wakanyeja “Sacred Little Ones” Early Childhood Education (ECE) Initiative was a five-year, five million dollar initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. In addition to Wakanyeja “Sacred Little Ones,” the College Fund has, since 2011, implemented three Native early childhood initiatives: Ké’ Family Engagement, Cultivating Lakota Early Learning Opportunities, and Restorative Teachings. The College Fund has leveraged the success of these ECE initiatives, awarding funding opportunities in the total amount of $7.25
