Success Story

At Native Forward Scholars Fund, we strive to meet the unmet needs of every Native student looking to pursue higher education. Our commitment to empower, amplify, and inspire generations is at the heart of our vision and mission. Native Forward has empowered over 22,000 students from over 500 Tribes in all 50 states. Peter Thais of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe on the Akwesasne Indian Reservation is one of those students.

Peter is pursuing a degree in Biological Engineering focusing on Ecological and Microbial Systems and a minor in Indigenous Studies at Cornell University. He is a member of the Indigenous community at Cornell, where he is on the executive board of the Native American and Indigenous Student organization, works as an ambassador for the Indigenous Studies Program, and is the co-leader of the Indigenous Mentorship Program, which pairs first-year students with an Indigenous mentor. Peter has always been driven to make a difference, reach his goals, make waves, and clear obstacles for future Indigenous students.

"The support of Native Forward, both academically, financially, and emotionally, has given me the strength to make it through the first half of my undergraduate degree. Knowing that I had the support of Native Forward removed one worry from my mind and my family's mind. This is what has helped me make it so far."

Peter says he looks forward to the day he can support the next generation of Indigenous students. Peter is Native Forward.

If you believe higher education is vital to the self-determination of Native students and Native communities, consider a donation to Native Forward Scholars Fund.