Many of the books I have read have altered or shaped my life in small aspects, but one book that sticks out that has has had a huge impact on me was the book "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me: A memoir." This book impacted me because it relates back to being an indigenous person coming from troubles. It's about family relationships that are not easy, an alcohol surrounded childhood, a mans memories of his mother. She was not easy but yet she was beautiful soul, caring and they had a complex relationship. This has helped shape me because I didn't grow up in the easiest household. Things were rocky, on edge, alcohol was involved in it, and I just don't think a childhood should be like mine. Although, my mother worked extra hard to feed us, keep us warm, and all the basic necessities were met. I am so grateful for her but as someone who is in the mental health field; don't agree with everything she did. Knowing I am going to be in mental health, this book helped me realize there are so many others like me in my situation. I can help them! This book helped me want to go into social work, get my masters, graduate school and possibly even start my own office that offers therapy. The therapy I want to incorporate is outdoor therapy. Out door wilderness, backpacking trips, kayaking, swimming, take a horse back ride, ect. I know from personal experience that most youth, do not like to go sit in a classroom or office and just talk about their problems. Being able to reset and relax can help people with opening up, their shyness, and so much more. I think that what I wanna do and my vision for what I have in life, will be great and amazing! I have no doubt in my mind that things aren't going to be easy but in the end it will all be worth it. If I can at least help one youth, or change one persons perspective on life, then I will be okay in life. All I want is for people like me and like Lexis Sherman to be able to succeed. People with alcohol childhoods to flourish and do something in life. That way I can possibly be that one person to not follow that foot step down a bad path, not to go do big things (ultimately the goal) but to just feel like living life is enough.

I love math because there's so much more to it than just adding numbers or getting solutions to mathematical problems; math is life. I don't say this because we used to say it growing up and that it makes me feel good again, I am saying this because it literally is true. There is math everywhere and all around us, math is in the air, in the water, in pictures, your transportation, math dictates so much. Math determines and analyzes everything and I find it so neat learning how it's connected. You use math to tell time, to cook, to paint, to draw, to breathe. I don't mean literally breathe but my question is if math did not exist, would we? I enjoy theories and I find math one of the best theories to look into. Another reason I love math is because it's the same every where, yes it sounds cliche but it is very true. And if we are talking about mathematical problems itself, it makes you think and push your brain. Some math problems and equations never change and some never have found solutions. Also when you complete a hard problem, it is very rewarding, it gives you a sense of "yes I did that!" Math is life! (That was to be cool!)

My goals are to help the youth in my community. I want to get my legals studies degree to help them realize that there's more the world then just trouble. I want to incorporate outdoor healing into therapy, maybe then the youth can see it's easier to go for a hike then to do something with a rush. Our youth are just troubled young adults, fighting to be seen or be heard by anybody. Anyone willing to listen or to see them what they are they can do, rather than what they are doing wrong. I used to work for the Blackfeet Family Court, this position was helpful for the law and ordinances that the tribe enforced, but I saw little adjustments that I think our system has failed by the youth with. For instance, our adult offenders were able to get free attorneys, but our youth were responsible for paying for their own. I did not understand this, and it made me feel bad for our youth. Many stated under oath that they didn't have a consistent home, a bed to sleep on, food on their tables every night, and some even stated "my parents don't care." Thankfully our judge was willing to help and get the children enrolled in our boarding school, which helped them tremendously. Although, it was sad to see the children leave their homes but because our boarding school employees have the knowledge of what happened in boarding schools, back in the day to our people that they treat them with grace. Our children can get a meal every night and tutors to help with school work. I want to create a program where outdoor healing is incorporated into therapy. I want the youth to learn responsibility, grace, to be kind, and for them to know that outdoors is an escape. You can go for a hike instead of getting the rush from stealing food to eat. I know this experience because growing up I was blessed to have dinner on my table every single night, but it wasn't easy. My mother had to work two jobs and we as children had worked as well, my sisters and I would learned that to have those simple needs such as dinner, toiletry products or even hygiene products we had to work for those. Learning that hard work will also keep you out of trouble. It all starts with the root.

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!