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The CIRI Foundation: Strengthening Resiliency Along the Education Journey March 19, 2026

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Family support, resilience and education come together as TCF responds to what recipients share about staying on track

Pictured left to right: Dylan Boston with TCF Scholarship Assistants Tim Lucason and Tyrone Hall. Photo courtesy of TCF.

When Dylan Boston talks about his educational journey, he emphasizes persistence, grit and learning to keep moving forward—even when plans change. A CIRI Descendant, Dylan was first connected to The CIRI Foundation (TCF) through his grandmother, MaryEllen Fritz, highlighting the central role family often plays in supporting education. Dylan’s story is featured in “TCF Proud,” an online series highlighting recipient experiences.

While enrolled in AVTEC’s Plumbing & Heating program, Dylan found that hands-on learning and teamwork helped build confidence. “We had to figure it out as a team. That was my favorite part,” he shared.

Family connection is a common thread across many education journeys. TCF’s recent community needs assessment showed that 84% of scholarship recipients reported learning about TCF’s scholarships from family members, underscoring how support, encouragement and information often move through families first.

Recipients also shared that mental health, balance, resiliency, and perseverance are critical to staying enrolled in and completing education or training. In response, TCF launched a pilot resiliency project for scholarship recipients, offering online, discussion-based sessions that function more like a guided talking circle than a traditional course. This project is supported by a grant from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

The sessions focus on practical skills that support persistence throughout education, including resilience, adaptability and navigating challenges when plans change. Rooted in Indigenous values and ways of knowing, the project emphasizes strength, balance, responsibility and connection to self, family and community.

For many recipients, education is a step toward self-sufficiency and the ability to give back to family and community. Through this project, TCF is investing in the whole person, recognizing that resilience helps carry education forward wherever recipients live and learn.

TCF Reminders for Students and Families

  • Career Technical Education scholarships are open year-round

  • Higher Education scholarships open April 1

  • Scholarships are funded per term, and recipients must apply each term