For Dakota, education is about more than earning a degree. As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an architecture student at the University of Oklahoma, he sees his education as a way to honor his heritage, serve his community, and help shape a future where Indigenous identity is reflected in the spaces people live, learn, and gather.

Growing up in Oklahoma, Dakota spent seven years participating in his school’s Cherokee Language & Cultural Program. The experience taught him the importance of preserving Cherokee culture and traditions for generations to come.

“Our history is about strength, courage, and overcoming adversity,” says Dakota. “Giving back to the community and paying it forward is one of the biggest and most meaningful contributions I can make to my people.”

That commitment is woven into his studies. Dakota is pursuing an accelerated Master’s in Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, where he has earned recognition on both the President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s Honor Roll. He has also completed professional internships while balancing academics, community involvement, and service.

For Dakota, architecture offers a powerful way to connect the past with the future.

“Architecture is a powerful tool for storytelling,” he says. “My goal is to create spaces that reflect Cherokee history, values, and resilience.”

One of his most meaningful projects has been designing a Trail of Tears Memorial in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He envisioned the space as a place for education, reflection, and healing—an immersive experience where visitors can connect with the past while looking toward a stronger future.

But pursuing higher education has not been without financial challenges. The costs of tuition, housing, academic materials, and other expenses have required Dakota to seek scholarships, work-study opportunities, and other forms of assistance. Support from the American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF), a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA), has helped him continue his academic journey.

AIEF also provides students with care packages containing practical supplies such as school materials, hygiene items, and personal care products. Dakota received one of these care packages—and a photo of him holding it captures another way that support can reach students beyond the classroom.

For students balancing the demands of higher education, these everyday essentials can be an important reminder that they have people standing behind them.

Dakota hopes to use his education to advocate for greater opportunities for Native students in architecture and design and, ultimately, to create spaces that empower Indigenous communities.

“My work is about more than just designing buildings—it is about preserving identity, honoring the past, and shaping the future of Native communities,” he wrote.

Through his studies, service, and commitment to Cherokee culture, Dakota is building toward a future where Native voices are not only represented in architecture, but are part of shaping the places and communities of tomorrow.

Donate to AIEF to support students like Dakota in their journey to help foster a stronger future for their people.