Yah'ah'teh, My name is Delilah Melanie Begay. I am a member of the Navajo Nation who is currently studying Film and Media Studies and Linguistics at the University of Kansas. I chose to study Film when I was in elementary school. I had already decided what I wanted to do in life from such a young age. Many have told me that I was too smart to be someone that works in film and that I should become an accountant or an architect. To appease everyone I did well in my studies and even took college credited classes in architecture in high school. But I didn't get anything out of doing any of that. I wasn't happy, so I silently worked toward getting the courage to tell everyone that I wanted to study Film in college. Once I got the courage to tell everyone that I wanted a career in the film industry, I was not supported and told I was better than that. so I didn't go to college for 4 years until everyone was got the idea that I was not going to back down and I was firm on my decision to go to college to study Film. Looking at the finances with my family about how much it cost to go to The University of Kansas for a film degree was shocking, but not impossible. it just meant that I had to work hard to earn scholarships and be financially responsible. I attended Haskell Indian Nations University where I attained an Associates's Degree in Media Communications. This allowed me to qualify for in-state tuition at The University of Kansas. As to why I worked so hard to be able to even study Film. Is that there was no representation for my ethnic group in Hollywood. I am an indigenous woman, who grew up on a reservation. That doesn't mean I didn't see what the world was projecting my people as. We are seen as mystical and spiritual people. As if we are not real anymore. That is where the lack of representation and good representation is at in Hollywood. That is what I want to change and why I choose to major in Film. There is a need for indigenous storytelling and representation in media. I want to be a part of that and bring it to light for the younger generation. That is why I Choose to study Film as a Navajo woman in this modern day.

Every day that I wake up I am reminded that there were so many students and elders in my community that were not and are not given the opportunities that I have been given. My grandparents never when or finished high school. They did not have the money or opportunity to go to college. I remind myself that I am doing this not only for myself but for all of those who couldn't or who want someone to look up to so that they can also have a reason to pursue a college education. I hope that someday someone who was just like me sees me and thinks that they want to do that. I want to encourage and influence others to pursue their dreams and goals regardless of what others may say to them. I never had support until I was actively pursuing my career goals and now I am even more encouraged to go out and achieve my dreams.

A quality that I value the most in myself is that I am able to rebuild myself even after I have thought I reached my lowest. As an Indigenous woman who wants a career in the Film industry I am in need of some thick skin. From a young age I was always told about what my ancestors had gone through and all the opportunities that I have that they didn't. I carry that with me throughout my college career. I was able to go to school where there are other Indigenous students from various backgrounds and tribes. It enriched my knowledge and opened my eyes to what others are going through. Also to be able to share the knowledge about the Boarding School era with all of the news that started to surface. Both of my grandparents were victims of the boarding school era. which has effected the Indigenous community though a couple generations. My grandparents would always tell me their experiences and how they were taken from their homes and made to forget their language and cultural practices. They only were able to get an education up to eighth grade and never got the opportunity to get a high diploma or go to college. Just from that I want other Indigenous people to have a voice and to know that they matter. That there are options that are more than just staying in your hometown and working at the grocery store, hardware store, or gas station. Showing other Indigenous that there is a way to show your Indigenous heritage and make a difference in the world for younger generations for the better. Working in the film industry will help me achieve that goal. Because as I am able to rebuild myself from every moment that I get lower and lower. I can show to others that they can do it and build themselves to be something better. Through out my life there have been many moments that I have wanted to give up but when there was a movie or show that gave me the confidence and strength to continue to reach my goals. And with each time that I thought I was getting lower. I know now that I am more than just what people see me as. I will be able to worker harder and better the next time I am faced with this similar issue. Which I will always do my best to reach them. I do it for myself, my ancestors and the younger generations that are to come.

Yah at teh, My name is Delilah Melanie Begay. My clans are Many Goats people, The Salt Water People, The Honey Combed Rock People and The Waters Edge People. I am Navajo from Ganado, Arizona. I am Studying Linguistics and Film & Media Studies at The University of Kansas. I want to work in the Film industry in any area because telling stories and representation in media for all ethnicities is important to me and very much needed today. 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 Delila Melanie Begay입니다. 제 가족은 많은 염소족, 소금물족, 꿀빗바위족, 워터즈엣지족입니다. 저는 애리조나에서 온 나바호입니다. 저는 캔자스 대학교에서 언어학과 영화 미디어학을 공부하고 있습니다.