Serve Your People, Secure Your Future![]()
Opportunities with NCAI
NCAI offers fellowships and internships to provide an opportunity for young leaders from across Indian Country to serve on the front lines of legislative action and policy development. All fellows and interns are selected through an application and interview process.
The Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program
Application Window for 2023-2024 Fellowship Program Now Open!
The NCAI Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program provides an exceptional opportunity for emerging young professionals from across Indian Country to work side by side with national leaders in tribal policy. Applicants must have a college degree or equivalent experience.
Application Process: You will be required to complete personal information fields including tribal affiliation, areas of interest, and three references.
Also, please be prepared to answer the following questions. Your answers will enable us to properly assess your candidacy for the Fellowship.
Question 1:
Write a short personal statement describing your work and education experience, community involvement, and other accomplishments to date, and how they provide you a solid foundation upon which to build a career in service to Indian Country. (500 words max)
Question 2:
What role do you envision playing in service to Indian Country 10 years from now? What are you currently doing to advance you down that path? How will a fellowship with NCAI help to prepare you for this role? (500 words max)
Question 3:
What do you consider to be the single most pressing issue facing Indian Country and why? Please use relevant facts, data, and/or stories (with appropriate citations) to support your issue choice. (500 words max)
Application Deadline: January 27, 2023
If you have any questions or concerns about this application, please contact Lisa Vandever via email at lvandever@ncai.org.
Wilma Mankiller Fellows:
2022
Violet Johnson
Carolina Wasinger
2021
Brooklyn Brown
Dillon Shije
2019
Brittany Habbart
Saundra Mitrovich
Sadie Red Eagle
Sierra Watt
2018
Jacob Broussard
Ashleigh Fixico
Kolby KickingWoman
Rani Williams
2017
Lorraine Bash
Tyesha Ignacio
Yawna Allen
2016
Concetta Tsosie de Haro
Elija Moreno
Jessica Four Bear
Teressa Baldwin
Whitney Sawner
2014
Jerri Hernasy
NCAI Internships
NCAI offers internships on an invitation-only basis for students who are currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning, and are based on NCAI’s current needs. Internships are usually for the length of a semester or summer session. Intern applicants must be able to serve a minimum of 16 hours per week, for a minimum of six weeks to be eligible for invitation. Internships are unpaid, but many schools will offer college credit, and some tribes may be willing to sponsor NCAI interns from their tribe. NCAI will be glad to provide information to your school or tribe to assist in securing credit or financial support for your internship. To inquire about an internship with NCAI, please contact Lisa Vandever via email at lvandever@ncai.org.