DENVER, June 1, 2011 - The American Indian College Fund has created a flood emergency fund to raise money for people afflicted by flooding on and near tribal colleges. Currently flooding has created natural disaster conditions at two tribal colleges: Little Big Horn College in Eastern Montana and United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota. While massive flooding threatens the surrounding communities, these tribal colleges are serving as the command centers for the disaster, where emergency rescue workers and volunteers are providing shelter, food, and clothing to those in need. Resources are desperately needed to sustain the relief efforts. Two other tribal colleges, Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten, North Dakota; and Fort Belknap in Harlem, Montana, have been threatened by the rising floodwaters, which have cut off roads and tainted the drinking water supply. Snowmelt and runoff water is raising the Missouri River to record levels and straining dams, which are already at their breaking points. Officials predict the situation will worsen as they release millions of gallons of water down the already full waterways to try to save the dams. In addition to Montana and North Dakota tribal colleges, which are facing the worst flooding in history, flooding also threatens thousands more lives and tribal colleges in South Dakota and Nebraska as the waters continue to rise. Donations to the American Indian College Fund's flood emergency fund will provide affected students with food, clothing, housing, transportation, and supplies. Donations will also help the American Indian College Fund defray the costs incurred for emergency relief efforts at the tribal colleges impacted. To donate, send your check to the American Indian College Fund's flood emergency fund at: American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80221. Donors can also call 800-776-3863 or go to www.collegefund.org. About the American Indian College Fund With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the American Indian College Fund is the nation's largest provider of private scholarships for American Indian students, providing an average of 6,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to better their lives and communities through education and support to the nation's 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities.

Melvin Wylie