Empowering Indigenous Students & their Futures
Scholarship for Indigenous students seeking an education.
Empowering Indigenous Futures
Our Mission
The Foxfire Indigenous Scholarship Foundation for students was founded to contribute to the financial needs of Indigenous scholars. So, that the present and seventh generations of students may be supported in their innovation and conservation of the future of our culture and heritage. Regardless of economic background, all Indigenous students reserve the right to an education to better themselves and contribute to their communities along with individual aspirations. The foundation hopes to offer students financial support in their academic endeavors while creating a powerful message of ‘Knowledge will add to our indigenous power!’
When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists -- as it surely will. Then act with courage.
Chief White-Egale, Ponca
About FoxFire Indigenous Foundation
Our BIO
Ashley is a current University of New Mexico student working on her Biology pre-med undergraduate degree. Inspired by her brother Kerwin Evans Lopez, the modern surpassing of ‘Einstein’, who was on a path to becoming a neurosurgeon before he passed due to medical issues. Ashley’s admiration for her big brother created a drive to become active in supporting the movement for better health care for Indigenous peoples in rural areas. She hopes to become a Doctor combining traditional knowledge and Western medicine to create culturally inclusive healthcare for her people and communities.
Cathleen Lopez-Booth is a mother, entrepreneur, and retired military veteran. Cathleen has served her country and introduced the Army to Native American/Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage month while stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. During a time when these heritages were not acknowledged in this way in the military. Cathleen also, the owner/CEO of Foxfire Designs. She has created a business of combining cultural expression with modern design, along with traditional clothes made custom for the individual. Her clothes hold great love and care as each piece is carefully crafted with the wearer in mind. From customizable embroidery to one-of-a-kind designs. Cathleen not only served her Country, she, along with her daughter Ashley, serves our unsheltered relatives with care kits and hygienic products. Along with meals in an annual effort to give back to the community.
These are a few examples of what Cathleen and Ashley do to support their communities, and we feel it is important to get a reference for why this Foundation has been created. As indigenous peoples, we are not always given the opportunities and often work hard for what we do accomplish. Ashley's experience with peers and K-12 outreach programs sparked a concern for our Indigenous peoples college funding. College for some is intimidating and there is still poverty in our indigenous communities for this reason, we commit to supporting education. We hope to alleviate some of that financial burden with this foundation.
Our Beginning
The Foxfire Scholarship Foundation for Indigenous Students was established in honor of Ashley Miles, the daughter of Santa Ana and Hopi Pueblos, along with Cathleen Lopez-Booth, her mother and founder. The Foxfire Indigenous Scholarship Foundation is the brainchild of Cathleen, who felt it was important to support Indigenous youth and their education. Cathleen dedicated this foundation to Ashley, her daughter who dreamt of one day creating a scholarship for the people to offer support to a consistently underrepresented community within academics. Ashley is a college student who has found funding for Native American/ Indigenous students to be highly competitive and/or in short supply within many institutions. Ashley hopes to support her fellow peers and future generations through this foundation in solidarity with the financial burden of education. “My peers and community are deserving of academic support and as a fellow college student, it is a struggle to find funds that can help cover some of the financial burden of higher education. However, at present education is more important than ever for indigenous peoples as we are the future and hope of our ancestors in these uncertain times.” This foundation is contributed to by Cathleen Lopez- Booth and Jovan Lopez, who are key supporters of Ashley's dream foundation. Cathleen and Jovan are a vital component of donor contribution, outreach, along with organizing foundational events and publicity.
Our Donors
We are excited to collaborate with new donors such as Brandi Lee Sawyer owner of the BThunder Luxe brand; who is an advocate for many things, such as Education Awareness. Brandi is also a Sponsor, Speaker, and Volunteer, among many other attributes. Jovan Lopez another amazing donor who is owner of Jaxson RV & Marine Storage. Jovan is a Model, Actress, Activist, and Author of 'Through My Daughter's Eyes' among many other roles.
Hello
Empowering Communities with FoxFire Indigenous Foundation
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities through education and resources. Join us in our mission to create a better future for all.
Scholarship Requirements
Eligibility
- Must be a degree-seeking student with documentation of enrollment by either school enrollment certificate.
- Must be enrolled in half time (six credit hours) and show proof by submitting class schedule with student ID and name visible.
- Students must have proof of federally recognized enrollment and/ or association/membership with a Tribal Nation.
GPA Requirements
Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA or higher and show potential for improvement if GPA meets minimum requirements.
Required Documents
- Application
which will include; Essays, 2 recommendation letters, and a Donor Thank you letter
- Proof of enrollment
- Class schedule with name and student ID
- Enrollment certificate
- Transcripts
- Image release wavier
Essay Portion
The essay prompts are as follows:
- How will this scholarship help you achieve your educational and career goals?
- Describe your career goals and how it will benefit your community.
- Write about your community contributions and future contributions.
Each response must be a minimum of 500 words
Zero-Tolerance Policy for Essays:
All essays will be screened for AI generation and those who have used AI will be flagged as ineligible. Students must write their own response, and general Policies for plagiarism will apply.
Awards
Awards are based on general funds, and on how many applicants are accepted will determine the division of funds.
Dates
Applications will be semester based and will be close a week before the semester starts to ensure the award is received in a timely manner. Disbursement will follow based on bank and institutional processing time.