Our Education and Indigenous Learning program strives to promote strong education foundations for all Tribal members, recognizing that it starts at the pre-kindergarten level and continues as a lifelong process.
Who we serve:
TCC Education & Indigenous Learning serves enrolled Tribal members throughout the TCC region, including youth, adult learners, and those pursuing higher education. Our programs support individuals at every stage—from building foundational skills and earning a GED, to accessing scholarships and career pathways—while honoring Indigenous knowledge, culture, and community priorities.
CONTACT US:
907-452-8251 ext. 3185
Send A Message
HOURS
8:00am-5:00pm
Monday-Friday
LOCATION
Chief Peter John Tribal Building
122 1st Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Our Services
Adult Vocational Training (AVT) Scholarship
Additional Scholarship Resources
Scholarship Opportunities for Interior Alaska Students
Request for Continued Funding Form – For students who received funding this semester and are continuing on next semester.
Available Region-wide Scholarships
Competitive Scholarships
Teacher Education Competitive Scholarship
Aviation Competitive Scholarship
Our Brochures
Adult Vocational Training Brochure 2026
GED & Adult Learning
The Adult Basic Education Program provides support for students seeking to complete high school equivalency examinations, or are in need of upgrades in basic core courses (math, English, etc.). For the current academic year, TCC provides Adult Basic Education funding consideration to tribal members enrolled to Birch Creek, Nenana, and Takotna.
Summer Youth Employment Program – Guideline for Tribes
TCC GO (Growing Our Own)
TCC GO focuses on providing career exploration activities and guidance for high school students. The program pays tuition for dual-credit courses (courses that meet both high school and college requirements), provides access to Pathful Explore (an online career exploration site), reimburses internet expenses and more.
Cultural Programs
To better serve the TCC region, Cultural Programs is developing programming to:
- Help connect the TCC community to heritage-strengthening activities such as Native Youth Olympics
- Pass on traditional craft skills
- Center cultural knowledge development through activities – potentially including theatrical performances/presentations
Education Summit
Resources Shared at the 2026 Education Summit
Previous Summits
Curriculum Resources
Alaska Centered Curricula
Cultural Connections to Alaska Science
Cultural Connections to Alaska Science Indigenous Language Vocabulary
Cultural Connections
Drone Research and Opportunities for Native Elementary Students
DRONES
Alaska Native Knowledge Network
http://ankn.uaf.edu/
Two Old Women Study Guide:
http://ankn.uaf.edu/curriculum/Athabascan/TwoOldWomen2009Curr.pdf
Alaska Native Language Center – UAF
https://www.uaf.edu/anlc/languages-move/languages.php
Articles and Resources:
https://www.uaf.edu/anlc/research-and-resources/resources/index.php
Alaska Native Civics & Government – Curriculum & Resources
https://akncurriculum.com/
Teacher Tools from See Stories
https://seestories.org/teachertools/
Alaska Studies Resources
https://padlet.com/akhf/alaska-studies-resources-f4ad1q3zdy0cgyw3
TCC Region School District Information
Explore strategic planning resources from school districts across the TCC region, including direct links to district websites and available strategic plan documents.
View the School District Strategic Plans page
Native Teacher Retention Initiative
Supporting Alaska Native Educators Across the TCC Region
The Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Family Services & Support Division is pleased to offer the
Native Teacher Retention Initiative through the Education & Indigenous Learning Program.
This initiative supports Alaska Native educators serving students in rural communities across the TCC region by helping reduce out-of-pocket expenses and providing meaningful professional support throughout the school year.
Program Benefits
Participants may be eligible for the following supports:
- Mini-grant up to $500 to purchase items from a teacher’s Amazon classroom wishlist.
- Professional development travel scholarships (up to $1,500 but will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Travel arrangements coordinated by TCC or reimbursement of eligible travel expenses.
- Home internet reimbursement ($95 a month maximum allowance).
- Teacher appreciation gifts, including holiday and end-of-year recognition items.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate, applicants must:
- Be an enrolled member of a TCC region federally recognized tribe.
- Be employed full-time as a K–12 classroom teacher or Indigenous language teacher.
- Be employed within an eligible TCC region school district.
- Reside in a rural community (Fairbanks-based teachers may also be eligible, please inquire).
Eligible School Districts
Teachers employed by the following school districts may qualify:
- Alaska Gateway School District
- Galena City School District
- Iditarod Area School District
- Nenana City School District
- Yukon Flats School District
- Yukon-Koyukuk School District
Application & Documentation
Enrollment is available year-round through a rolling application process.
Required documentation includes:
- Tribal enrollment verification.
- Current employment verification.
- Additional documentation as required for specific benefits.
Application:
Native Teacher Retention Initiative – Participant Form
Reimbursements & Professional Development
Internet Reimbursement
- Available up to $95 per month.
- Submitted on a monthly basis.
- Proof of payment is required for reimbursement.
Professional Development Travel
- Travel scholarships are available up to $1,500 (additional funding may be considered).
- Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Travel may be arranged by TCC or reimbursed after approved travel expenses are incurred.
Alaska Native educators play a critical role in supporting student success, strengthening cultural connections, preserving Indigenous languages, and building healthy communities.
Through the Native Teacher Retention Initiative, TCC invests in the recruitment and retention of Native educators who provide invaluable leadership, representation, and cultural knowledge in rural Alaska schools.
Contact Information
For questions about the Native Teacher Retention Initiative, please contact:
Stephanie Hinz
Education & Indigenous Learning Department, 907-452-8251, ext. 3447
Alaska Gateway School District
School: Dot Lake
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation with 8th Grade Promotion
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Mentasta Lake School
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Northway
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Tetlin
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
School: Tok
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Galena School District
School: Galena – Sidney C. Huntington School & Galena Interior Learning Academy
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Live Stream Info: https://www.gcsdk12.org/live
School: Sidney C. Huntington School
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten Promotion
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
School: BEST Homeschool
Venue: Carlson Center
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Career Education Center
Venue: Herring Auditorium
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Effie Kokrine Charter School
Venue: Effie School Gym
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Hutchison High School
Venue: Herring Auditorium
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Lathrop High School
Venue: Carlson Center
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: North Pole High School
Venue: Carlson Center
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Northstar College
Venue: Carlson Center
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Star of the North Charter School
Venue: North Pole High School
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: West Valley High School
Venue: Carlson Center
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Iditarod School District
School: Anvik
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
School: Grayling No Graduation
School: Holy Cross
Grade Levels: Kindergarten, and 8th grade Promotion
Date: TBD
School: McGrath
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Nikolai
Grade Levels: Kindergarten and 8th Grade Promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Shageluk
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
School: Takotna
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Nenana School District
School: Nenana
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Yukon-Koyukuk School District
School: Allakaket
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Hughes – Johnny Oldman School
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Huslia – Jimmy Huntington School
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Kaltag
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Koyukuk – Ella B. Vernetti School
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Minto
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Nulato – Andrew K. Demoski School
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with Kindergarten and 8th grade promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Rampart
Grade Level(s): 8th grade promotion
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Ruby – Merreline A. Kangas School
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten Promotion
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Raven Homeschool – Fairbanks Graduation Ceremony
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Tanana – Maudrey J. Sommer
Grade Level(s): Senior Graduation with 8th grade promotion
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Yukon Flats School District
School: Arctic Village
Grade Levels: Kindergarten and 8th Grade Promotions
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Beaver
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Chalkyitsik
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
School: Circle No Graduation
School: Fort Yukon
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
School: Venetie
Grade Levels: Senior Graduation
Date: TBD