Living with Gratitude: Inspiring Journey of an American Indian Scholar

Chenoa Webster: Living the Good Mind

Chenoa Webster, a proud member of the Oneida Nation and a student ambassador for the American Indian College Fund, lives her life rooted in the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) teachings of Tsi>niyukwaliho=t^, the Good Mind. For her, gratitude isn’t reserved for one day—it is an everyday practice. It’s expressed through love for family and community, respect for nature, care for oneself, and a deep connection to the Creator.

Set to graduate in spring 2026 with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary and middle school education from the College of Menominee Nation in Wisconsin, Webster exemplifies the strength and promise of Indigenous youth. Her leadership roles on campus and her recognition as Student of the Year in 2023-24 are a testament to her dedication.

Chenoa has pursued learning beyond her own community, traveling to Indigenous regions like Sápmi and Utqiagvik, Alaska. These experiences have helped her broaden her understanding of Native cultures and shaped her mission to give back. She represents the College Fund at events, in media, and at College Fund Board of Trustees meetings as a student ambassador.

She believes that education is a key to healing and leading. Inspired by the impact her education has had on her life, she shares, “I needed to go to school to be that role model, not only for my daughters but for the other children in the community that look up to me.” For Chenoa Webster, gratitude is not just a feeling—it’s a way of life that strengthens and uplifts generations.

Chenoa Webster, American Indian College Fund, Indigenous education, Haudenosaunee Good Mind, Native student leadership