Akiptan is excited to announce our 2024 Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship Awardees. We are grateful to be in our third year of offering our Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship. This year 15 scholarships in the amount of $2,000.00 each were awarded to Native American High school students who are pursuing degrees to support the agriculture industry.
“We are inspired by the students from across the nation and we are grateful that Akiptan is able to provide financial support for their journeys that grow the Native agriculture and food sovereignty efforts” -Dawn E. LeBeau, Program Officer
Native American high school students from across the United States were encouraged to apply as they steward their commitment to their fields of Native agriculture work. Congratulations to the 2024 scholarship recipients, we are looking forward to their continued successes in the Native agriculture industry.
Congratulations to the 2024 scholarship awardees:
Paden Belkham, Seneca Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma
Griffin Grooms, Oglala Lakota
Carter Keller, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Mark Sandquist, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Vada Cass, Osage Nation
Tova Anderson, Gros Ventre - Fort Belknap Indian Community
Elijah Brewer, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Chloe Silka, Cherokee
Carsyn Farlee, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Courtney Blagg, Cherokee Nation
Sydney Fitzpatrick, The Blackfeet Nation
Klayte McLellan, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Nadaya Johnson Mooney, Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Ember Bahe, Navajo Nation
Robert Brewer, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
“First and foremost, the scholarship would provide me with the financial support necessary to pursue my educational and career aspirations while aiding the field of Native agriculture. It would alleviate the burden of tuition fees and living expenses, allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies and professional development. Receiving support from Akiptan validates the importance of my passion and the relevance of indigenous perspectives in pressing global challenges such as food security, environmental degradation, and climate change. It would serve as recognition of the value of traditional agricultural knowledge and the need to integrate it with contemporary scientific approaches for the benefit of present and future generations. On a personal level, it would honor the sacrifices made by my ancestors to safeguard their land, culture, and way of life, and inspire me to carry forward their legacy with humility and determination. It would empower me to make a positive impact in the world and contribute to building a future where indigenous peoples are recognized leaders in the journey for a more equitable, and sustainable world.” - Nadaya Johnson Mooney (Rosebud Sioux Tribe)
To learn more about the Okhíčhaŋye scholarship which is offered annually, please visit our website at www.akiptan.org/scholarship or reach out to Dawn E. LeBeau, Program Officer at dawn@akiptan.org
The Okhíčhaŋye Scholarship is made possible with the support of the Native American Agricultural Fund.