American Indian College Fund Gala to Raise Funds for Native Scholarships in Minneapolis

September 5, 2012, Denver, Colo. – The 17th annual American Indian College Fund Flame of Hope Gala will be held at The Depot in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, October 11 to raise funds for scholarships to benefit needy Native students. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner program at 7 p.m.

The event will feature Native entertainment. Flutist R. Carlos Nakaí, Native Pride Arts dancers, Southern California Kahweeyah Bird Singers and Dancers, and Iron Boy drum group will perform. Hattie Kauffman, an award-winning television journalist with CBS, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.

A silent auction of Native arts and other items will also be featured. Renowned Native artist Bunky Echo-Hawk will be creating a piece live for the auction that night.

The late Stanley R. Crooks, former Tribal Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), will be honored by the American Indian College Fund on behalf of all tribal nations for changing the lives of his people and Indian Country through his strong leadership. “He was the living embodiment of the Native value and his own philanthropic vision of giving back to one’s people is a source of inspiration for many,” said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund.

Event sponsors include: USA Funds, Coca Cola Foundation, Nissan North America, San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, Ford, Travelers, United Health Foundation, UPS, US Bank, Anheuser-Busch, McDonalds, NBC Universal, P&G, Aramark, Cintas, and Watershed.

Individual tickets for the event are $150. Group table rates are available. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Katie Johnson at 303-426-8900 or kjohnson@collegefund.org. You may also visit http://www.collegefund.org/gala to register online.

About the American Indian College Fund

With its credo “Educating the Mind and Spirit,” The American Indian College Fund is the premier scholarship organization for Native students. Created in 1989 to provide scholarships and support for the nation’s 33 tribal colleges, the Fund receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators, including the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, and received its third consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator. It provides more than 3,500 Native students with scholarships annually.