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Program History
The program was launched in 1983 by Princess Pale Moon, a Cherokee/Ojibwa, who was born and raised in an era when many thought that being an Indian was disgrace.
As a little girl, growing up in the Great Smoky mountains of North Carolina close to the Cherokee reservation, she dealt with discrimination and alienation on a daily basis, vowing that some day, she would make a difference. She wanted other Indian children to be proud of their heritage and to stand before their peers with confidence in their accomplishments and leadership. She wanted them to know that they were worthy and deserving of recognition.
Pale Moon's dream became a reality when in 1983 she presented the first National American Indian Student Eagle Awards to Indian students in honor of their
achievements.
Walking in two worlds and learning to balance the traditional cultural ways of their ancestors with those of today's modern world, has created a unique
challenge among American Indian students. Pale Moon continues to encourage Indian students with motivational programs such as the American Indian Student Eagle Awards, inspiring them to aspire to great goals
and to meet the challenge with courage and determination.
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