Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly has asked New Mexico lawmakers to expand a lottery-financed scholarship program to cover students attending tribal colleges.
Shelly was among the leaders of New Mexico tribes and pueblos to speak Friday at a joint session of the Legislature as part of American Indian Day.
Lottery revenues support a scholarship program covering tuition for New Mexico high school graduates who attend a public college or university in the state and maintain a minimum grade point average.
A legislative proposal would allow the scholarships for students who attend a tribal college in the state, including Dine College and the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Shelly said, "We contribute to the lottery and our students should have the same opportunity as other young scholars in New Mexico."
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