“My Lakota name is ‘Cante Waste Wicasa’ (Good-Hearted Man). I emulate my Lakota name by always giving my time to the community and volunteering while also fighting for my people in rooms where their voices may be silenced,” said Christian S., a 28-year-old graduate law student from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.

Christian isn’t just studying law — he’s rewriting what’s possible for Native students like him. As the first in his family to attend college — and soon to become the first member of his tribe to earn a law degree — Christian is blazing a trail fueled by hard work, purpose, and the power of your support.

“I’m also the first male in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree,” Christian added. “Because it’s such an uncommon thing, I feel like I need to set the standard for the rest of my family. Sometimes it feels like a heavier burden to carry. It’s never been a normal thing in my family.”

Thanks to the American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF) — a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) — Christian received a scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year at the University of South Dakota that is helping him focus entirely on his studies. He explained, “I don’t need to worry about trying to find a job full-time. It’s not realistic in law school.”

The cost of graduate school can be steep. Approximately 60% of students who complete graduate programs do so with student loans, with an average balance of $66,000. Without support like the AIEF scholarship, this financial burden could derail promising futures. For Christian, that support means staying focused on his goals and not being overwhelmed by debt.

AIEF has helped cover living expenses and, through a generous donation from Synchrony Financial, even provided him with a new printer — a simple tool making a significant impact during finals. Before, Christian was constantly adding funds to print things. “The printer will really help, especially as I’m going into finals,” he shared, adding that it will continue to help beyond his first year of graduate school.

But Christian is more than a law student. He’s also a former Tribal Council member and county commissioner. At just 25, he was the youngest councilmember in over 20 years and the youngest Native person to serve on the Lyman County Commission. “I guess I’m the first Native to do that, too,” he said, reflecting on the dual roles he held for two years.

With eight siblings and a deep sense of responsibility to his family and community, Christian is proof that investing in Native students creates a ripple effect for generations. “If we set ourselves up with the right tools, knowledge, and experiences, we can make a difference in our communities,” he said. “Part of being who I am as a Lakota person is giving back.”

Christian’s ultimate goal? To become the first Native American governor of South Dakota, not for accolades, but to advocate for Indian Country at every level of government. “Our people are in dire need of more advocates, especially those who can work within the system to change it for the betterment of all of us,” he said. “The goal is bigger than myself…no matter what room, space, or office I occupy, I’ll always be an advocate for [my people].”

Today, you can help make that goal a reality. By giving to AIEF, you’re not just helping students overcome financial barriers. You’re empowering the next generation of Native leaders, like Christian, to lead, serve, and reshape the systems that impact Native communities every day.

To AIEF donors, Christian shared this message: “I’d like to thank them because oftentimes these are the types of resources that Native students, especially from the reservations, may not know they have access to. I come from a very low-income family. My family doesn’t have the resources to continually help me in my educational journey.”

Your gift is not just helping a student succeed — it’s helping an entire community rise. Support the next generation of Native leaders. Donate to AIEF today.