A Path to Empowerment: My Journey from the Reservation Growing up on the Flathead Reservation in Montana, I was immersed in a world shaped by adversity. Poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse were pervasive issues that threatened to limit the potential of countless individuals. Yet, my Metis heritage, rooted in the Chippewa-Cree Tribe, instilled in me a resilience that would shape my destiny. My grandfather, one of the original signers who secured our reservation land in the early 20th century, embodied the spirit of perseverance that continues to inspire generations. Education emerged as my beacon of hope. Unlike many reservation schools, Stone Child College offered a nurturing environment where I could explore my academic passions and embrace my cultural heritage. Surrounded by fellow Indigenous students, I felt a sense of belonging and purpose. Our shared experiences forged strong bonds and motivated us to strive for excellence. Beyond the classroom, I actively engaged in cultural activities, participating in powwows, language classes, and traditional ceremonies. These experiences deepened my connection to my roots and reinforced my identity as a proud Indigenous person. My academic journey has been marked by challenges and triumphs. Balancing coursework with family responsibilities and community commitments has often been demanding. However, the support of my family, mentors, and professors has been invaluable. They have encouraged me to persevere, reminding me that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future. I aspire to become a role model for my community, demonstrating the transformative power of education. I envision a future where Indigenous youth have access to quality education and opportunities to pursue their dreams. By breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes, I hope to inspire others to reach their full potential. This scholarship represents more than financial support; it is an investment in my aspirations. It will enable me to continue my education and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact on my community. I am determined to return to the reservation, not as an escapee, but as a catalyst for change. I will work tirelessly to empower my people, advocate for their rights, and promote economic development and social justice. As an Indigenous scholar, I am committed to preserving and revitalizing our cultural heritage. I will use my voice to amplify Indigenous perspectives and promote understanding and respect for diverse cultures. By sharing our stories and celebrating our traditions, we can inspire future generations to carry on our legacy. The path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but I am confident that with education, perseverance, and the support of my community, I can overcome any obstacle. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams and contribute to a brighter future for all Indigenous

The nostalgic red square light of the Nintendo NES console, signaling the start of countless adventures, was the backdrop to my childhood friendships. Pixelated heroes like Mario and the intense battles of Contra defined our weekends, transforming my home into a gaming arena filled with laughter, friendly competition, and shared triumphs. These weren't just gaming sessions; they were bonding experiences, creating memories with my childhood friends that have endured through the years. As life unfolded, responsibilities grew, and distances widened, our gaming habits evolved. Online gaming became the bridge connecting us across miles, allowing us to maintain the friendships forged during those carefree days. Despite the demands of adulthood, with many of my childhood friends now parents themselves, we still find time to team up in virtual worlds, sharing laughter, victories, and the occasional friendly banter. It's remarkable how gaming, once a simple pastime, has become a powerful tool for connection. It's a testament to the enduring power of shared experiences and the ability of technology to bring people together. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue playing games with my childhood friends, even if it's in a different format. It's a reminder that the joy of gaming transcends age and distance, and the bonds forged through shared experiences can last a lifetime. Beyond the nostalgic appeal, gaming has also played a significant role in my personal growth. It taught me the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance. The challenges posed by complex games forced me to think critically, adapt to changing circumstances, and develop strategic thinking skills. These skills have proven invaluable in both my academic and professional life. Furthermore, gaming has provided me with a creative outlet. I've explored different genres, from role-playing games to first-person shooters, each offering unique opportunities for storytelling, character development, and world-building. It's a form of artistic expression that allows me to escape reality and immerse myself in imaginative worlds. In conclusion, gaming has been more than just a hobby for me; it has been a catalyst for lifelong friendships, personal growth, and creative expression. It has taught me the value of teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance, and it has provided me with a lifelong source of entertainment and connection. As technology continues to evolve, I am excited to see how gaming will continue to shape our lives and bring people together in the years to come. The next generation of gamers, including my own children, will have the opportunity to experience the same joy, camaraderie, and personal growth that I've found in gaming.

My idea of art is anything and everything that creates or inspires an interest in art, whether it be paintings, photography, or sculpture. That was my opinion, art is in the eye of the beholder! Art can be one person's valued treasure and another person's garbage ready to be thrown out, and they both would be correct. Art in my opinion inspires creativity or a debate about the definition of what the artist is trying to express. Time is what made me think about art the most. Time is a human-made construct that helps the flow or passage of cycles that can be recorded in the past and present but not the future. I never pondered time in art, time and art, in my opinion, are cycles, Maybe the art I make today is good, but in 100 years will my art still be good in people's eyes 100 years from now, or will the art I make be like a trend that went out with the decade? I wonder in 100 years from now will my art be worth anything or hanging up in thrift stores being sold for a dollar, haha! Only time will tell, time and trends are what I found new in this module that I will be thinking about in the future while making art. I am a returning college student, I always wanted to pursue an art degree but I did not have the financial means to pursue my dream of getting an art degree, as I got older and wiser I just went for it as I am also dual majoring in Business. I have a degree in Information Technology I got when I was younger and I think Art is a great way to balance out the professional and creative side of my personality. I am left-handed and when I was a child my teachers used to smack my left hand with a ruler to stop me from writing with the left hand but I would continue to use my left hand anyway and I was in the era where the transition to being left-handed was finally being acceptable. The reason why I am bringing this up is because I think it is important to know that ever since I was young left-handed people were considered creative since they used the right side of their brain. I love art and I would be delighted to hear I was picked for such an awesome scholarship. Thank you Charles Wells

Perseverance, I think about this question a lot while I am going to college to pursue a better life for my family and myself. I can start my journey to the question being asked in 2020. Working as a Help Desk Technician at S&K Technologies. Working in my office when Covid-19 appeared on The Flathead Reservation where I worked and lived, all of a sudden people were getting sick, getting emitted to hospitals, and then dying. I went to work every day knowing I could get Covid-19 and bring it back to my wife and children, I took every precaution, I wore an n95 mask that stood 6 feet apart and used hand sanitizer until my hands dried out but, I had responsibilities, my job would not let me work from home during the pandemic so I had no choice but to go in every day. Got a call from my wife saying she got Covid-19 and we as a family had to be quarantined because Covid-19 is extremely contagious. Told my boss and he said he understood, every person that I was working with had to get tested for Covid-19. My wife, two sons, daughter, and I had to say in our house for over two weeks, then we got tested again and we still had Covid-19 in our systems so we had to quarantine for another two weeks. I told my job and they said they understood and my job would be there when I got out; however, until now I did not mention I had a heart condition and had to have a defibrillator in my chest prior to all of this going on, I dealt with it as best as I could until one day I got tachycardia and my heart was beating at 400 bets per minute and I passed out. I could not breathe, move, or say anything, but I could hear everything around me, I could not see anything, weirdest experience I ever had, all I remember is the defibrillator charging up and shocking me, then I woke up and took a deep breath and thanked god for getting a second chance. I went to the hospital the next day and a Heart Doctor told me that I am lucky to be alive he thought Covid-19 gave me tachycardia, however, he told me my heart was working under 20 percent of normal use and I needed to have open heart surgery because my heart was enlarged and they needed to cut some muscle from the inside of my heart out or I would die. I had no choice but to either have the surgery or die, so I agreed to the surgery. I had to have my chest cracked open and muscle from inside my heart removed so my blood would pump right, and I would not die. I had my surgery on January 6th 20021, and I had complications during the surgery, Covid-19 was still going on, I could not have any visitors and I had to stay in the hospital for a month-long as the doctor did not know if I was going to make it. My perseverance is what kept me alive, I told myself I have a family and kids and I was going to fight, I did fight and I made it home a month later but soon as I go home my kids got Covid-19 again. I had to quarantine in my room for two weeks, thankfully no one in my family died. I am going to college to better my future and glad to be alive.

I am proactively applying for scholarships, grants, and work-study positions to help offset my student debt. After graduation, I am applying for a business, civilian, or government position to help pay for my student debt loans and offset my costs for college. If for some reason I do not qualify for scholarships, grants, or work-study positions, I will pay for my student debt loans alone. My Plan to pay off my student loans, first of all, is not to take out as much money as I but only to take out enough student loans to make sure I have just enough to help pay my mortgage, school supplies, college classes, Insurance, power bill, and food costs. I am very grateful for the opportunity to apply for grants and scholarships while I am going to college. I am happy such programs are put there for college students who have needs inside and outside of college while going to college. That being said, I do know not all; of the intricate ways how to pay off my student debt but if my plan goes according to plan I will get a better understanding, but at least I have an idea of where to start while addressing current and future student debt while I am going to college. I am going to college for Business Administration and Accounting at Stone Child College in the Chippewa-Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Montana. I look forward after graduation for the opportunity to apply and gain gainful employment in the public or private sectors of the community. I always wanted to graduate from Chippewa-Cree Tribes, tribal college at Stone Child College ever since I was a teenager and with your help, I can attain my dream of graduating from my tribe’s tribal college in north-central Montana. I have a wife and three children; I am going to college to better my future and the future of my children and my wife. I want to show my two sons and daughter it is ok to take out student loans to go to college, but a person has to be responsible for taking out a student loan and understand the consequences of taking out student loans. A college student loan has to be repaired and when and how you take out a student loan you must either apply for a student loan debt relief or repayment plan along with getting gainful employment that helps out with paying student loans or you must pay out of pocket to pay off student loan while going to college. That is my plan for paying off current and future student loan debt. Thank you Charles Robert Wells

I am studying business management at Stone Child College on Rockyboy Reservation in North Central Montana, home of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe. I am taking business because I am in the process of opening a computer repair business in my hometown. After two years running and owning my business I want to start a non-profit helping elderly people on how to use technology. I am also perusing my 8(a) certification so I cant contract with the U.S. Government. Also in the future I want to go green as much as possible foe the environment.

Rest up, clear your mind, and do your best!

Laws govern the universe and to understand the laws is to unlock the nature of the universe. The bigger picture is connected to us as human beings, we are apart of the universe and to see and observe the universe will help us humans understand ourselves.

I own a wolf hybrid and I think animal advocacy would shed some light on how gentle and shy wolf hybrids are, I owned my wolf hybrid for over 8 years and she is the most gentle wolf that I have ever had. Allot of people are scared of her until they pet her, she looks scary to some but she is my babie.

I currently own 3 dogs and one wolf hybrid. I think wolfs get a bad rap, my wolf dog is one of the most gentile, caring, loving hybrids that I ever had, she is 8 years old and would not hurt anything. my wolf hybrid even protects my cat as well. My wolf hybrid helps me stay in shape and she shows me how to be kind and gentile, other people are scared when they see her as she is half timber wolf 1/4 husky and 1/4 malamute. I love her she is my dog but to other people she is a wolf.

When I was three year old I lost my mom to cancer, fast forward 8 year and I lot my older sister who was 16 to a car wreck, and finally 10 years ago I lost my oldest sister to stomach cancer as well. I had my own health issues, I had to have open heart surgery where they had to cut muscle from the inside of my left chamber out or else I would have died. I still did not give up, that what my mom and older sister instilled into me! I still want a future and I am going back to college to get It!

My name is Charles and I live on the Flathead Reservation in northwest Montana, I am in the begging stages of owning a Computer Repair Business, but I went back to college in Business Administration to get a degree so I could run my business professionally. I want to set an example for all the people livening on a reservation, that you don't need to move off of the reservation to become successful, and that to me is a strong role of leadership I hope to instill into the community.

Binary Computer Repair, I started a local computer repair business in the state of Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation, I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming my own boss, I want to make a better future for my family, myself and, my community. I love to troubleshoot and fix things that is my passion.

Knowledge is power that’s what my dad used to tell me as a child, my father who is 5/8 Chippewa from the Rockyboy Reservation never finished the 8th grade. I think knowledge is the great equalizer and that is what I am pursuing by going to college. With the help of you scholarship I can achieve my goals in life.

My nephews truck was stranded and my sister was stuck on the side of the road because she had used our nephews truck to go to college. I got the call to help so I drove to the broken down truck, I tried everything to start it and was at a loss. I pulled out my phone went onto YouTube and watched a video explaining all the problems the truck was having and how to fix it with a wire to jump a fuse in the fuse box. I followed the example and boom the truck started, I was amazed and happy at the same time, my sister drove it home and everything worked after that.

When I look at a piece of metal I know it wants to be more, I like to tell a story about my artwork. I am from two worlds my mothers family was from Norway and she is Norwegian and Sami, My father is Chippewa from the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Montana. When I look at or make art I like to tell a story about an event or person or place. I love making art out of simple items like metal to tell a story or a picture I took on one of my travels.

I look at life now as how much I can achieve in the amount of time I have left, a full life does not have to mean that you will live to be an elder. I take it a day at a time and make the best of each day as if it were my last. I enjoy life's little secrets like the sun shinning on my face, or the wind blowing threw my hair, the birds signing, or people laughing. I take a moment each day to see life and I an thankful I am still with it.

The never give up quality is what I value the most. My mother passed away when I was 4 years old from cancer, she fought unroll her last day, My oldest sister fought cancer for on and off 20 years had to have her stomach removed and she lived another ten years after that but passed at 45. I have a heart defect that almost killed me 2 years ago, I had to have open heart surgery and the had to cut muscle out of the inside of my heart, I fought everyday to survive for over a month in the hospital until I was released to go home, got COVID-19 had to have a defibrillator put inside my chest and got shocked over three times, had to say in the emergency room a couple of times! I never gave up, I could not work so I went to college, I survived COVID-19, having muscle cut out from inside my heart and having to get a defibrillator put in my chest! I still want a future and I need funds to help me achieve my goals in my life. I want to thank you for reading my story and for putting hopes to my dreams.

One day at a time, I would incorporate clean living practices, for my mind, body and future well being.

I came from a poor undereducated hard working family, My dad always told me to go to college, I am going to better my future, for myself and my kids.