American Indian Student Experience

Transcript

Let’s talk to Kassie who hails from Chilchinbito, Arizona. A multidisciplinary design major and ethnic studies minor, Kassie is a member of the Dene tribe. She’s gonna share how her community back home has provided focus to her time here at The U. Take it away, Kassie.

Thanks Alex and hello everyone. I am so excited to share my experience as a first-generation Dene student. I grew up alongside my Dene peoples on the Navajo reservation. From my native community, we recognize higher education as a tool of empowerment and resiliency for future generations to come. I chose The U to stay connected to my indigenous community and to fulfill my mission as an indigenous designer to amplify my community’s knowledge and insight. I have found The U to be the best place where I can foster both my design research and community engagement. My job as a student is to listen to everyone’s voices and retell their stories as if they were telling their own. The skills I am learning from the design program, I apply and give back to my indigenous peoples. I have had the opportunity to perform for the United Nations Conference and become a native youth mentor with the Urban Indian Center in Salt Lake City, where I passed out my cultural knowledge to the next generation. I have danced at various events, such as the university’s inter tribal powwow held every spring right here, in the Student Union. The Inter-tribal Student Association, it became my university family, where we support and care for one another. We host many community events, such as the American Indian Woman Scholar pageant and game nights. Both the design program and The U have shown me the skills to be a good designer, but has also challenged me to think critically about ways to strengthen resiliency with my indigenous community, to create lasting impacts for future generations to come. And back to you, Alex.

– Thank you, Kassie. We appreciate learning about your heritage and your exemplary leadership as a student and a community member. It’s amazing how you have combined critical thinking, cultural awareness and creativity into your designs. Thank you again for sharing that.