TIGUA - Road To Recognition: The Travails Of A Tribe

The tribe has been creative in providing educational opportunities for its members, Nunez said. From one Bureau of Indian Affairs program, the tribe has been able to spin off four others: an alternative education program for part-time students, a reimbursement program for those who do not meet income guidelines, a vocational program and a graduate/doctoral program.

The tribe pushes education because it hopes members will come back one day and put their knowledge to use to benefit the tribe.

Christopher Gomez came back to work for the tribe after earning a political science degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is now the tribe's economic development planner. Gomez received a higher education grant from the tribe, which paid for his tuition, books and fees.

"I think it was a blessing," he said. "I really wanted to come back and pay my tribe back for giving me that opportunity."






Staff writer Venita Jenkins can be reached at
jenkinsv@fayobserver.com or (910) 738-9158.



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