I believe my greatest achievement was just recently, I went to Washington, DC during the 22nd of February through the 26th. I went to talk to our senators and representatives, regarding the trump administration trying to defund the federal funding. I am from a very small community and this will affect myself, and my entire community along with minorities, other indigenous communities and lower class people. This was an opportunity to go down as a constituent, discuss my concerns and let the people who represent Montana know our concerns, coming from such a small reservation. It was one of my proudest moments of myself, but yet one of the most emotional and scary feelings I felt. I went as a tribal fellow, apart of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. First, we met with the Representative Ryan Zinke- he did not show up. He sent a "staffer", this was the first moment where I was not nervous, I wanted them to know what I felt and how passing certain bills would affect my community. I started off by introduction, some statistics about the Blackfeet Reservation and then went into my thought(s). This was regarding the federal funding, I reminded him of the trust responsibility they had with us, and also how scary of a time it was for Indian Nation. Zinke's staffer must not have liked that comment, because after he got very rude and started to cut my questions short. This was very discouraging. I almost gave up, I sat back in his chair in Ryan Zinkes office and then decided, I am not giving up or being shut up! I then went forward with letting him know that the Tribe is almost purely 90% ran on federal funding, that our people don't use the government to live off, but they use these programs to help families get on their feet and put food on a Childs table! I also myself, grew up on food stamps and if it were not for Federal Pell Grant, I would not be in school. Next was Tim Sheey, he didn't show either, his staff gave us five minutes and said they had another meeting. How discouraging, he didn't even take the time to hear us out. Steve Daines, didn't even return our phone calls, or emails letting them know tribal fellows from Montana were coming so far, to speak their thoughts. Although, this was so discouraging and it truthfully made me question so many more bills upcoming, and the thought that we, as indigenous people, are not going to be okay. Or the low-income at least. I still am nervous, but I am proud of myself for getting there and doing what I could- as a one single person. It was life changing, I now want to go into politics, this may have changed my degree and I very hopeful for the future! I want to make a change in the world, even it's the smallest change but in the most positive way!