A Vision Becomes Action

“In a vision, it was told to me that the buffalo would return when our people were ready to thrive again,” explains Medicine Bear, Executive Director and a Co-Founder of the Indigenia Foundation. “Today, I see the buffalo in the faces of our Native students—each one carrying the strength of their ancestors and the hopes of their communities.”

The campaign addresses a critical challenge facing Indigenous communities: talented students forced to choose between their educational dreams and their families’ economic survival. Through the Foundation’s Pathway to Excellence scholarship program, these barriers are being removed, creating pathways for the next generation of Indigenous professionals.

Supporting Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Buffalo Vision campaign targets three essential career paths that strengthen Indigenous communities:

• Healers (doctors and nurses) who will serve tribal communities facing significant healthcare disparities

• Leaders (community organizers) who will advocate for Indigenous rights and sovereignty

• Knowledge Keepers (teachers and professors) who will preserve and pass on cultural wisdom

“This is the sacred mathematics of Indigenous education,” Medicine Bear emphasizes. “One student’s success creates circles of healing that extend far beyond what we can measure.”

Multiple Ways to Create Impact

The campaign offers various giving levels designed to meet different needs:

• $25-50: Provides textbooks that keep students in class

• $100-250: Covers application fees for multiple students

• $500: Funds a complete cultural preservation scholarship

• $1,500: Supports vocational training bringing immediate skills to communities

• $3,000: Provides a full academic scholarship with mentorship

Building on Strong Foundations

The Indigenia Foundation has established itself as a leader in Indigenous education support, focusing on students in arts, computer science, museum studies, and education. The organization’s commitment extends beyond financial assistance to include mentorship programs, cultural preservation initiatives, and comprehensive support systems that honor both academic achievement and cultural identity.

The Foundation’s approach reflects deep understanding of Indigenous values, emphasizing relationship-building, community accountability, and respect for cultural protocols. This culturally-grounded strategy has proven effective in creating lasting positive change within Indigenous communities.

A Movement of Renewal

“The buffalo are returning to the prairie, and we too are gathering once more,” Medicine Bear notes, connecting the campaign to broader themes of Indigenous renewal and empowerment. The metaphor resonates deeply within Indigenous communities, where the buffalo represents not only survival but the restoration of traditional ways of life alongside modern advancement.

The campaign launches at a time when Indigenous peoples are increasingly reclaiming leadership roles across all sectors of society. From medicine and education to technology and the arts, Indigenous professionals are bringing unique perspectives and solutions to complex challenges.

Call to Community Action

The Foundation invites supporters to become “part of the medicine wheel of change that’s transforming Indigenous futures.” The campaign emphasizes that every contribution, regardless of size, creates meaningful impact through what Medicine Bear calls “sacred mathematics”—the exponential effect of supporting one student’s success.

Community members, businesses, and organizations interested in supporting the Buffalo Vision campaign can learn more about the Pathway to Excellence scholarship program through the Foundation’s website or by contacting the organization directly.

About the Indigenia Foundation

The Indigenia Foundation is committed to supporting Indigenous students on their educational journeys, with particular focus on arts, computer science, museum studies, and education. Through its Pathway to Excellence program, the Foundation removes financial barriers while providing mentorship and cultural support, ensuring that Indigenous voices continue to shape the future of their communities.

The Foundation’s mission centers on nurturing talent, encouraging exploration of cultural identity through creative and scholarly expression, and empowering Indigenous youth to become leaders in their communities and beyond.

Media Contact:
Medicine Bear, Executive Director
Indigenia Foundation
Direct: 505-207-6146
Office: 505-216-2234

Campaign Information: Learn more about the Pathway to Excellence scholarship program and make a donation at the campaign page: