1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I believe that history matters—and that promises matter even more. That’s why the Department of the Interior’s plan to slash Tribal college funding by 83% is beyond outrageous. From $127 million down to $22 million, this cut isn’t just a budget line; it’s a bulldozer aimed at the very institutions that keep Native culture, history, and opportunity alive. Tribal colleges are already underfunded by $250 million a year. They serve rural, historically neglected communities, offering affordable, culturally rooted education and job training. For many, they’re the only door to a future. Cutting this funding sends a clear, ugly message: that Native lives and futures don’t matter. That’s not a lesson I’m willing to teach anyone. Congress must reject this gutting of Tribal education and fully fund these schools to meet the $40,000 per-student mandate. Anything less is a broken promise and a betrayal of history. Protect Native education. Protect our nation’s word.