The Fort McDowell Mojave-Apache Indian Community donated $1 million to be split among the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University at a ceremony in Phoenix yester-day.

The money came from profits the community earned from gaming and is intended "to provide financial help with scholarships and other forms of assistance to both Native American students and others," a news release stated.

Bernadine Boyd, vice pres-ident of the Fort McDowell tribal council, said that within the community, there was a desire to give to education.

"We wanted to give something back to people in our state," she said.

Joseph Stauss, director of American Indian Studies at the UA, said the donation has been in the works for a long time.

"It is the first time an Indian tribe in the state of Arizona has set aside a part of their revenues for the three state universities," Stauss said.

He also said the Fort McDowell community is challenging the other tribes to act in kind.

"I believe this gift is indicative of the kind of relationship the UA and the other two universities have with the Indian community," Stauss said.

He added, "I feel there will be future gifts."

Boyd said the community decided to make the donation because scholarships are so competitive and federal funds are being cut.

The details of where the money will go are still being worked out, she said, adding the money should help "Native Americans and others to get an education and a degree."

"This is a historical mark for all of us as far as helping one another," Boyd said.

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