Dreamseekers Foundation
Dreamseekers and the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation recognize students that are exceptionally talented and demonstrate skills that positively represent the Native American community. Recipients are qualified based on criteria such as, but not limited to: Course study, GPA, and Enrollment. The selection process for scholarship is competitive, and the award is distinct and prestigious.
Working with the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation at the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Hulk and Dreamseekers have committed to building the non-profit organization in partnership with Indian Country to provide needed assistance to Native America youth and their families.
Hulk Hogan participats in the foundation’s activities by providing a familiar public face and forwarding the organization’s goal: providing greater opportunities for youth in Indian Country. Hulk Hogan has made it a priority to start this program in areas of Indian Country with the most need.
The Dreamseekers Foundation hopes to provide a significant amount per annum to tribal nations that face adversities such as poverty, violence and lack of various resources. “We’re specifically focusing on efforts to improve healthcare and education for Native youth and their families around the country, as well as give them access to as many other critical opportunities as possible,” said Ernie Stevens Jr., co-founder of the foundation.
“American Indian children are more likely to live in poverty than any other racial or ethnic group in this country“, Hogan noted, citing recent U.S. Census Bureau data. “It’s time to change that, and I’m proud to be associated with that effort,” said Hulk Hogan.
Working with the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation at the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Hulk and Dreamseekers have committed to building the non-profit organization in partnership with Indian Country to provide needed assistance to Native America youth and their families.
Hulk Hogan participats in the foundation’s activities by providing a familiar public face and forwarding the organization’s goal: providing greater opportunities for youth in Indian Country. Hulk Hogan has made it a priority to start this program in areas of Indian Country with the most need.
The Dreamseekers Foundation hopes to provide a significant amount per annum to tribal nations that face adversities such as poverty, violence and lack of various resources. “We’re specifically focusing on efforts to improve healthcare and education for Native youth and their families around the country, as well as give them access to as many other critical opportunities as possible,” said Ernie Stevens Jr., co-founder of the foundation.
“American Indian children are more likely to live in poverty than any other racial or ethnic group in this country“, Hogan noted, citing recent U.S. Census Bureau data. “It’s time to change that, and I’m proud to be associated with that effort,” said Hulk Hogan.
- 2005 - Hulk Hogan partnered with Ernie Stevens to form Dreamseekers, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to Native American youth and their families throughout Indian Country. Hogan will serve as a spokesman and work to push forward the organization's goal of improving healthcare and education for Native youth. NIGA Chairman Stevens reflected on how Hogan's hospital visits to sick children under foundations such as the Make a Wish Foundation and the Starlight Children's Foundations inspired him to become involved in Native issues.
- 2007 - South Dakota : Hulk Hogan and Dreamseekers teamed up with Spirit of Sovereignty Christmas drive and gave away thousands of dollars to needy families for the holidays. During the event Hogan, Stevens and Max Osceola, Councilman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, were recognized and honored in a traditional ceremony by representatives of the Lakota community leadership. After the ceremony, Hogan was on hand to meet the Native youth and to sign autographs. "The response by the youth was so exciting that Hulk delayed his departure and stayed to sign over a thousand autographs." Chairman Stevens said.
- 01/04/08 - Rapid City, SD: Hulk Hogan walked out onto the basketball court at the Lakota Nation Invitational, and the crowd sent up a long cheer. They had heard he would be there, and even though the weather threatened blizzard conditions, he made it. When asked earlier what he was doing in Rapid City, Hogan replied, "I'm dream-seeking. I'm just dream-seeking all over the place." referring to his involvement with Dreamseekers, an organization started by him and Ernie Stevens, Jr., chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association to raise money for tribes. Hogan also said he "signed a few autographs" while in Rapid City, but his description was modest. According to his staff, they brought 500 photos for him to sign for fans, and they ran out. The line of people waiting for autographs and a couple of minutes with the Hulk stretched long down a hallway at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Hogan and Stevens traveled to LNI to present replica checks to South Dakota tribes and tribal organizations for Christmas presents for children and for other needs such as food, shelter, and counseling. Actual checks were sent to recipients earlier. "We're here just to show support and get everybody pumped up," Hogan said. Each tribe received about $5,000. Hogan and Stevens received blankets in an honoring ceremony.
- 11/28/08 - Las Vegas: "The Hulkamania Experience", a multilevel progressive video-slot series based on the adventures of the iconic superstar was unveiled at the Global Gaming Expo. As a part of the foundation’s fundraising initiative, a portion of the proceeds from "The Hulkamania Experience" will go towards the various health and education initiatives to be determined by the foundation. The game, developed in conjunction with Rainmaker Gaming Technology and ID Interactive, LLC, represents a fundamentally new approach towards community involvement in Indian Country. Hulk’s efforts alongside that of the National Indian Gaming Association are a first of their kind, and it all spawned from an initial conversation between Ernie Stevens, Jr. and Hogan. “Hulk simply asked what he could do to help Indian Country, and we both agreed that it all starts with our children,” Stevens said.
- 12/19/08 - Rapid City, SD: Hulk Hogan returned to the Lakota Nation Invitational tournament as part of his efforts to promote awareness of Native American health care and education issues. Hogan participated in the LNI opening ceremony. His goal, the release said was to provide greater opportunities for youths in Indian Country. {watch}