Our History

First One Hundred Institute held its first summer Institute in Albuquerque, N.M., in June of 2011. For the past decade, we have worked with tribes to develop early literacy books with native language narrations. First One Hundred Institute workshops focus on developing local communities’ capacity to write, illustrate, translate, and narrate digital books that can be distributed to families to promote native language and culture. This is accomplished using software and literacy tools developed by Unite for Literacy, a company that has spent more than 20 years working in American Indian schools to develop extensive experience creating culturally and linguistically relevant books for native populations.

Founder

William Mehojah, Jr., a member of the Kaw Nation, founded the First One Hundred Institute. He is a former Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs in Washington, D.C., responsible for managing 185 elementary and secondary schools and two post secondary schools located in 23 states, providing education to over 47,000 American Indian students. He served in various positions in that office, including Deputy Director for eight years, Special Assistant to the Director, Branch Chief for Elementary and Secondary Education, and Division Chief for Education Programs.

Mr. Mehojah previously worked in Alaska for seven years, where he was responsible for management of a technical assistance office serving 59 schools. He also worked with Alaska tribal governments and corporations that served Alaska natives. Mr. Mehojah understands education at the classroom level. He has been a teacher, counselor, and administrator, starting his career in South Dakota. Mr. Mehojah retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2008. He has continued working with tribes since his retirement in the areas of early literacy and school construction. Mr. Mehojah was the National Indian Education Association Indian Educator of the Year in 2004. That year he also received the Goodling Award for Leadership from the National Center for Family Literacy located in Louisville, Ky., and the Partnership Award from the Parents as Teachers National Center in St. Louis, Mo. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Parents as Teachers National Center and the High Scope Research Foundation in Ypsilanti, Mich.