Olympia (November 26, 2023) — On Saturday the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) Scholarship Program Gala raised $389,500 to support Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing higher education.
Tribal leaders, elected officials, business and community leaders and WIGA scholarship recipients came together at ilani to recognize the transformative power of higher education and support the WIGA Scholarship Program.
“Higher education can be transformational. The WIGA Scholarship Program broadens access to higher education opportunities to benefit individuals, tribes and communities throughout all of Indian Country,” said Rebecca George, executive director of WIGA, in her welcome remarks.
Higher education plays a vital role in strengthening tribal communities, economies and advances tribal sovereignty.
Equally important, WIGA scholarships demonstrate to Native students that their communities believe in them and are dedicated to supporting them in their educational pursuits.
“I feel supported and honored by the scholarships I receive from WIGA, said Tleena Ives, a WIGA Scholarship recipient. “It makes me feel like there is a true village that stands behind me.”
Each year WIGA awards roughly 40 scholarships ranging from $900-$3,000. Since 2006, the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships.
To learn more about the program, please visit washingtonindiangaming.org/scholarships.
About WIGA
The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) is a non-profit Indian gaming trade association representing federally recognized tribes in the state of Washington committed to advancing the lives of Indian people — economically, socially and politically.