Tribal-ISAC Deepens Investment in Indigenous STEM Pipeline with AISES Donation

The Tribal-ISAC has reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating future technology leaders across Native communities, announcing a $3,700 contribution to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) for 2026. 

The donation brings the Tribal-ISAC’s cumulative support for AISES to $6,700 since 2023, marking a steadily expanding multiyear partnership to build a robust pipeline of Indigenous talent in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, particularly cybersecurity and IT.

The organization’s annual contributions have grown significantly, increasing from $500 in 2023 to $1,000 in 2024, $1,500 in 2025, and culminating in this year's $3,700 donation, which includes a $2,200 direct gift alongside additional event support.

For the Tribal-ISAC, supporting AISES aligns directly with its overarching mission to protect the infrastructure, data, and sovereignty of Tribal Nations nationwide.

While much of the organization’s work centers on threat intelligence sharing and operational defense, executive leadership emphasizes that workforce development remains a foundational pillar of lasting security.

"As a small nonprofit, we are intentional about where we direct our resources, and AISES has been a natural fit because of its commitment to advancing Indigenous representation in STEM education and careers," said Toni Pepper, Executive Director of the Tribal-ISAC. "While much of our work focuses on sharing threat intelligence, resources, and leading practices, we also recognize that people are at the heart of protecting tribal organizations."

Across Indian Country, the demand for skilled cybersecurity and IT professionals continues to grow rapidly alongside increasingly complex digital ecosystems and evolving cyber threats. 

By backing programs that introduce Native students to STEM disciplines early, the Tribal-ISAC aims to empower a new generation of professionals who bring both technical expertise and an innate understanding of the communities they serve.

"Organizations like AISES play an important role in introducing Native students to STEM career opportunities, providing mentorship, and helping them build connections that can lead to careers in technology and cybersecurity," Pepper said. "We would love to see more Native professionals pursuing these careers within their own Tribal Nations and enterprises. Beyond technical skills, they bring an understanding of the cultures, communities, and priorities they serve."

The funding directly supports AISES programming that engages Native students from early education through professional career placement. Specifically, the donation will help enhance the organization's AISES Clubs initiatives, which deliver place-based STEM curricula centered in Indigenous values and tailored to local tribal communities.

"When we go into tribal communities to offer in- or out-of-school programming, it reflects the specific communities where we work," said Kellie Jewett-Fernandez, Vice President of Business Development at AISES. "For example, in a Northern Plains community, we interact with community leaders, cultural knowledge holders, and local educators to customize the curriculum. Beyond supporting PK–12 programs through AISES Clubs, the donation supports our mentorship programs that connect Indigenous college students with professionals, as well as early-career professionals with more experienced mentors."

Jewett-Fernandez emphasized that developing internal talent directly strengthens tribal sovereignty across all technical domains.

"There are major opportunities for tribes to build sovereignty by increasing the number of tribal citizens and Indigenous people in roles that serve tribes in technology, healthcare, and all STEM fields," Jewett-Fernandez said. "What's really important to AISES is ensuring that tribes have the capacity, support, and talent they need to be successful, independent, and able to rely on Native people in these professional roles instead of always seeking outside consultants."

The ongoing contributions to AISES reflect a wider educational and community engagement strategy within the Tribal-ISAC. Over the past year, the organization has expanded its internal development initiatives, launching a Cybersecurity & Technology Leadership Scholarship Program, tabletop exercise grants, and a structured mentoring framework alongside its standard educational sessions.

While internal programs focus on professionals currently serving in tribal organizations, supporting AISES allows the Tribal-ISAC to extend its impact to students entering the educational pipeline.

"Our continued support of AISES is another part of that commitment," Pepper said. "Ultimately, our goal is to help build a stronger, more connected tribal technology community, one where knowledge is shared, professional growth is encouraged, and Tribal Nations have access to the people and resources they need to succeed."

This year's donation comes as AISES wraps up a successful annual national conference in Portland, which drew around 3,000 attendees, and prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. Founded in 1977, the society plans a yearlong celebration honoring five decades of supporting Indigenous individuals and communities, culminating at the 2027 AISES National Conference set for Oct. 14–16, 2027, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado.

"One of the foundations and most important things we do at AISES is focus on relationships," Jewett-Fernandez said. "We want to ensure we are collaborating, partnering, and helping advance the work of other Native organizations, and we really value this partnership and appreciate the support."