Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship Grant

Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO)
Amount: US $10,000
Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Summary

The Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship offers a renewable $10,000 award for non-graduating Indigenous students pursuing art or architecture at Portland State University. Established in 2022 to honor Lillian Pitt, this scholarship supports students who identify as Indigenous from U.S. states and territories. Recipients must be enrolled full-time or three-quarters time and are expected to attend a spring event for award presentations, fostering opportunities for Indigenous youth to excel in their studies.

Overview

Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship Renewable $10,000 scholarship for non-graduating Indigenous students of U.S. states and territories, pursuing a degree in art or architecture at Portland State University The Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship was established in 2022 in honor of Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama), the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s 2022 Honored Citizen who has helped shape our state through her work as an artist, mentor and advocate. The Legend of Tsagaglalal tells of a female chief who was concerned over what would happen to her people when she became an ancestor. Coyote came to her and told her the world would change and that women would no longer be chiefs. Coyote then tricked her and turned her into a rock, saying “…now you shall stay here forever to watch over your people and the river…” Through the Tsagaglalal Scholarship Fund, made possible by a generous donation from Penny Knight, Lillian assumes the personage of Tsagaglalal, watching over her people and providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to excel. AFO encourages Indigenous students of U.S. states and territories who are pursuing a degree in art or architecture at Portland State University to apply for this renewable, multi-year award. AFO Scholarship recipients are expected to attend an event in Spring of their awarding year where they will be presented with their awards.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Ethnically identify as Indigenous of U.S. states and/or territories including Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and U.S. Territories including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin IslandsAttending Portland State University during the 2026-27 school year (students graduating 2026 are not eligible)Incoming freshman or transfer student accepted to Portland State University starting Fall 2026 or beforeUndergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at Portland State UniversityPursuing a degree through the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design or the School of ArchitectureEnrollment status = Full-Time or 3/4 Time at Portland State University for the 2026-27 school year – Fall, Winter, and Spring terms (enrollment status info)