INDIO — Today Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) joined his colleagues in the California Native American Caucus to celebrate the inclusion of $10 million in state budget funding for California Indian Nations College (CINC), a historic investment supporting the college’s efforts to become the first federally accredited tribal college in California.
“As a proud member of the California Native American Caucus and a representative of several sovereign tribal nations, I’m honored to help deliver this critical funding for California Indian Nations College,” said Gonzalez. “After years of advocacy and collaboration, this moment marks a major step forward in expanding access to culturally grounded, community-centered higher education for Native and non-Native students alike.”
“I want to thank Caucus Chair James Ramos (D-San Bernardino) for his leadership in championing Native education across the state, and Shawn Ragan, Executive Vice President of CINC, for his incredible partnership and tireless dedication alongside his team,” Gonzalez added. “This is a proud and long-overdue investment in Native futures and I am thrilled to celebrate it.”
“By funding CINC, we’re not just investing in a college—we’re investing in language revitalization, cultural preservation and educational sovereignty,” said Gonzalez.
Background:
California Indian Nations College (CINC) is a tribal college located in Palm Desert, California. It is actively working toward full federal accreditation to become the first such institution in the state. Although California has the largest Native American population in the country, it does not yet have a fully accredited tribal college—making this funding a historic and much-needed step forward.
Nationally, there are nearly 40 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), which serve as important institutions for preserving Native languages, strengthening cultural identity, and supporting tribal self-governance. The $10 million in state support will help CINC grow its academic programs and infrastructure as it moves closer to full accreditation.
CINC’s mission is to offer a culturally responsive curriculum rooted in Native American values, while also providing personalized academic support and honoring the languages, traditions, and sovereignty of Native communities.
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