American Indian College Fund 2009 Flame of Hope Gala Raises More than $400,000
for American Indian Scholarships
DENVER, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Neither rain, nor sleet, nor 18
inches of snow could stop supporters of American Indian education from turning
out to celebrate the American Indian College Fund's 20 years on Wednesday,
October 28 at the Seawall Ballroom of the Denver Center of the Performing
Arts. As more than 18 inches of snow accumulated outside, more than 300
supporters, American Indian students, and tribal college officials came to
testify to the miracles that tribal colleges are producing across Indian
country, and raise more than $400,000 for American Indian scholarships and
support.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091104/DC04935)
The event included a silent auction of Indian artwork by some of the nation's
finest living and historic artists, including a collection of rare Edward S.
Curtis photographs.
Hattie S. Kauffman of the CBS Morning Show served as mistress of ceremonies.
Actress Irene Bedard, a celebrity co-chair of the event, was in attendance.
Other program highlights included a fancy dance performance by national
award-winning dancer Tanski Clairmont (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), and a showing
of the video Hope on the Rez, produced by the Fund's pro bono ad agency
partner Wieden+Kennedy. The Fund's new television public service
advertisement, telling the story of how tribal colleges and American Indians
are providing solutions to the world's challenges, was also shown. The
advertisement, titled Think Indian, was also produced by Wieden+Kennedy, and
features the music of rock musician Neil Young.
Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund,
presented the Flame of Hope Award to the Castle Rock Foundation for its
support of American Indian education and supporting tribal college and
university staff since the early 1990s. As a symbol of appreciation in the
traditional Native show of respect and caring, Williams wrapped John Jackson,
Executive Director of the Castle Rock Foundation, in a Pendleton blanket with
the help of Bradley Pecore, a recipient of Castle Rock's Student of the Year
Scholarship and an Institute of American Indian Arts graduate.
Oglala Lakota College graduate Stephen Yellowhawk (Cheyenne River
Sioux/Iroquois), a Coca-Cola Scholarship recipient from the American Indian
College Fund, spoke to the guests about how a tribal college education
transformed his life, gave him purpose and led to his career as a teacher and
a mentor, and helps him to serve as a role model for American Indian youth. He
spoke of his goal to teach at a predominantly Native American school and earn
a master's degree to become a leader in Indian Education.
The evening concluded with a performance by the Empress of Soul, Gladys
Knight, who rocked the crowd with several of her hits and a selection of
Motown favorites.
The 20th anniversary Flame of Hope Gala was sponsored by USA Funds, Coca-Cola
Company, Nissan North America, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Toyota Motor Sales, Ford
Motor Company, Allstate Insurance, UPS, Milberg LLC, Exxon Mobil Corporation,
Brian & Vivian Henderson, Richard & Heather Black, Sheryl & Harvey White
Foundation, Chuck & Joannie Hensley, IBM, Lannan Foundation, Pepsi/Frito Lay,
Wilke Family Foundation, Qwest, Jenzabar, Wieden+Kennedy, CBS Television
Network, Ilisagvik College, The Tierney Family Foundation, Merrill Lynch,
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP, CollegeBoard, Smith, Jolly, Shelton, Ragona
LLC, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., Northwest Indian College, UMB Bank, William
& Antoinette Peskoff Charitable Foundation, Buena Vista Rancheria, Thalden
Boyd Emery Architects, Wells Fargo Foundation, Fredericks, Peebles & Morgan
LLP, Cecilia Smith & Alexis Wiles, George & Susan Then, Native Americans in
Philanthropy, Native American Bank, Navajo Technical College, and Stories on
Stage.
About the American Indian College Fund
With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the Fund is the nation's
largest provider of private scholarships for American Indian students,
providing an average of 6,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to
better their lives and communities through education. The American Indian
College Fund also supports the nation's 33 accredited tribal colleges and
universities. For more information about American Indian College Fund please
visit www.collegefund.org.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Richard B. Williams
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=49792
SOURCE American Indian College Fund
Dina Horwedel of the American Indian College Fund, +1-303-430-5350,
dhorwedel@collegefund.org
