The action of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe of New Mexico in setting up a $1,000,000 trust fund to provide college scholarships for the younger members was hailed today by Commissioner of Indian Affairs Glenn L. Emmons as “an outstanding example of tribal progress.”
The fund, largest of its kind ever established by an Indian tribal organization, represents chiefly income from oil and gas leasing of the tribal lands, It will be administered by the First National Bank of Albuquerque under terms of a 20-year agreement which was approved by Commissioner Emmons on July 2.
Grants will be made to candidates selected by a scholarship committee of the tribe and will be available on the basis of standards established by the committee.
The fund will be known as the Chester E. Faris Educational Fund in honor of a former superintendent of the Bureau’s Jicarilla Agency who is now retired and living in Albuquerque.
