In December of 1995, a group of interested students, educators, and community members met to form a structure of interested allies necessary to find ways to help the American Indian Student. The Tribal Hands United to Network and Determine Educational Resolve (THUNDER) Alliance name was decided upon by two students collaborating on pooling resources of each others American Indian student organizations to make it through the semester. The lone founder presented the idea to the American Indian community and other student organizations. The Alliance was thus formed to act as a liaison between the American Indian community and the various American Indian organizations in the Dallas/Fort Worth areas. It was also established to exchange information between various American Indian student organizations to provide a support system for those students at the college or university level. In December of 1997, the Board of Directors, members and interested parties attended a Strategic Planning Retreat and came up with a revised Mission Statement, goals and objectives for the THUNDER Alliance, Incorporation. THUNDER Alliance Board Of Directors Lillie Redbird Stewart, President Ron Hale, Vice President - Strategic Planning Joseph Bohanon, Vice President - Public Relations Sondra Hawkins, Secretary Chris TenBarge, Treasurer Gilbert Smith, Honor Society