Native American College Diaries | Stand in two worlds

Native American students make up only a small fraction of all college students in the United States. They have different histories and face an education system that was once used to obliterate their languages ​​and cultures.

In this project, four Indigenous students talk about how they use higher education to strengthen ties with their Indigenous roots and support their people.

Education for me is searching for truth. I knew that if I focused on American Indian Studies at the University of Augsburg, I would better understand the history of colonization here in America. Knowledge is an act of resistance and a way to help indigenous people.

This is a capitalist system and the best way we can support our people and ourselves and our families is by making money. You can bring that college degree back to your people and get a job for your tribe. You may be able to inhabit new space or amplify the space your people are already in.

Ever since I was a child, my mother or my grandmother taught me the ways of healing. In the Hopi culture, running is a healing force. While running, many people take this time to pray for those in need – hoping to give them strength. It is this kind of tradition that I want to connect with my work as a doctor.

I didn’t know what it took to become a doctor. I thought medical school was more than people like me. I found that less than 1 percent of American doctors are Native American, or identify as Native American. As I progress through my education and qualify to become a doctor, I better understand the negative impact the current health care system has had on my people. This led me to find ways to incorporate the traditional teachings into medicine and generally better serve the indigenous peoples, which starts with completing my education.

My dream is to become an orthopedic surgeon and work with indigenous athletes across the country. After seeking support from programs, mentors, and finding my own way, I find the resilience needed to get through this difficult education system.

I gave the gang at least ten years of my life. I lived a horrible life. I’ve done terrible things. So I thought, what if I gave schooling, higher education, my language and my culture – what if I gave them ten years of my life? Being a teacher would be my way of doing penance.

I always knew that if I went back to school, I would go to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. I am learning my language and culture and that is something I am proud to tell people. That’s all I’m trying to do with this education and become a teacher – heal my community and all the damage and destruction I’ve done all my life.

I am a native Hawaiian from Kailua on the island of Oahu in Hawai’i. One of my ultimate dreams is that people see Hawaii the same way I do. To see it for all its natural beauty, but also for its cultural beauty, because there is no Hawaii without Hawaiians. My goal is to give back to my people, to my lāhui, in the way I know best, namely through science.

I study chemistry and geology at Stanford University. Hopefully one day I will work in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and become a geochemist to study and further understand and improve our knowledge of volcanoes, these huge monstrous creatures that create the Hawaiian Islands. It’s the perfect intersection for me of both my culture and science, because it creates new land, but also more of Hawaii for my people.

Her story will appear on August 4 as an episode of the Educate podcast.

“Standing in Two Worlds” is one of two audio documentaries from the Educate podcast this fall – stories about education, opportunity, and how people learn.

Sources

Don’t miss our next survey

Enter your email below to receive notifications about new stories.