Empower a Lakota Leader: Help Fund My Final Year

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Advocates,

I write to you today with deep humility and urgency, seeking your support to help me continue my education at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs. I am a proud Lakota woman, dedicated to completing my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Pre-Law, with only two semesters left before graduation. However, I recently received devastating news—my full-ride scholarship funding from Mahpiya Luta (Red Cloud Indian School) has been withdrawn, leaving me with an outstanding balance of $20,000 that must be paid within a one-week deadline, by February 5th, 2025.

This unexpected financial hardship has placed me in an incredibly difficult situation. Without immediate funding, I will be unable to continue my education, putting my dream of attending law school in 2026 and serving Indian Country in jeopardy.

Beyond my academic journey, I have been an active leader and advocate for Indigenous students at UCCS. As President of the Native American Student Alliance, I have worked to uplift Indigenous voices, foster community, and create spaces where Native students feel seen and heard. I have also served as a leader in the UCCS' Model United Nations Club, where my team and I have competed and won both state and national competitions.

This year, I had ambitious plans to expand these extracurriculars and was working alongside esteemed scholars to establish a Speech and Debate Club to further enrich academic discourse. I had also been offered a position as a Pre-Collegiate Mentor, hoping to expand the UCCS Program onto underserved Tribal schools on my reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Additionally, I was accepted into a prestigious study abroad program in Florence, Italy, where I planned to pursue International Politics this summer—an opportunity that would provide invaluable perspectives for my future legal career and advocate for Indigenous rights on an international scale.

Through my involvement in The Center for the Study of Government and the Individual (CSGI), I have had the privilege to engage with national and global politicians, as well as attorneys who have presented cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. Each of these experiences has shaped my aspirations and reinforced my commitment to serving my people through law and policy.

The need for Indigenous scholars in law has never been greater, especially given the challenges between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the United States Government. Tribal nations require legal advocates who understand the intricacies of our struggles—our sovereignty, our rights, and our fight for justice. My education is not just for me; it is a commitment to my people and the future of Indigenous representation in law.

With only one week to secure my tuition balance, I am humbly reaching out for support. Any contribution, no matter the size, will bring me closer to completing my degree and continuing my mission to uplift and advocate for Indigenous communities. If you are unable to donate, sharing my story would mean the world to me.

I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support Mahpiya Luta has provided me thus far, and it is heartbreaking to face this challenge so close to the finish line. With your generosity, I hope to overcome this financial barrier and continue my path toward law school and service to Indian Country.

With the utmost humility and gratitude,

Kylie Richards-Red Willow