As a Native American, my identity is not just something I carry; it has guided every step of my journey. This identity has opened up opportunities for me, and I have learned that my purpose extends beyond personal success; it's also about uplifting indigenous communities along the way. Growing up on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, I learned early on what it was like to face challenges related to my identity, but I also learned the importance of strength and resilience. Those experiences have shaped how I see the world and inspired my commitment to pursue a career in which I can create positive change within my community. During high school, I ran for the powwow title of Miss Blackfoot High School and was crowned in 2022. This experience made me realize that holding this title comes with tremendous responsibility and provides a platform to represent and uplift my community. Through my interactions within the community, I began to notice the educational disparities faced by Indigenous communities and the lack of motivation to learn among some individuals. That experience motivated me to pursue my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, which would enable me to make a direct impact and use my platform to raise awareness about health and the importance of self-care. Although I faced challenges during the process of obtaining my CNA—especially feeling out of place compared to my peers—I found strength in being the only Indigenous woman in the program. This experience not only intimidated me but also provided an opportunity to represent Native American voices in healthcare. Earning my CNA certification provided me with the opportunity to work directly with patients and gain firsthand insight into the healthcare field. Through this role, I discovered my passion for medicine, but I wanted to take a different, more impactful approach. After job shadowing and completing my prerequisite courses, I am now on the path to becoming a radiologic technologist. Pursuing a career in radiologic technology is more than just a goal for me; it is a way for me to give back to my community directly and, hopefully, to several other communities. Unfortunately, several Native communities struggle to access healthcare due to transportation, distance, or being afraid of medical providers. I aim to create a safe environment for my community and several others. My goal is to make healthcare more accessible to indigenous communities while providing quality patient care. This scholarship would significantly aid me in achieving my life and career goals by alleviating the financial burden of education, enabling me to dedicate more time to my studies. With financial stress reduced, I would be better positioned to focus on my academic performance, particularly in the subjects critical for my admission into a radiologic technology program. Overall, as a Native American, my identity is not just something I carry; it has guided every step of my journey. It has influenced all my experiences and provided me with the strength to uplift others. As I pursue my path in radiology, I remain deeply connected to my identity and committed to serving my community. This scholarship will not only support me but also create opportunities for indigenous students who come after me, allowing them to continue giving back to their communities.

Caregiving requires a lot of patience, growth, and commitment, which is why it is very difficult, however, it is also very rewarding as it provides those who need assistance a sense of belonging and purpose. Often times, caregivers aren’t given enough credit for the amount of effort, and compassion they put into their work. Being a caregiver brings me joy, as I positively impact someone else’s life, and I feel appreciated for the work I do by the residents. Caregiving has looked like positivity, and it has shaped me today by allowing me to be more compassionate towards others. This scholarship matters, as I wish to continue caregiving, and cater my care towards older people who need medical assistance. During my senior year of High school, I had received my CNA, and took my clinical at my local hospital, in which I took care of patients coming out of surgery, and the patients in the residential home. The kind of things that I did to support my patient’s and residents was that I would provide emotional support for them. Often, they would be sad because their families weren’t able to visit them, however, I’d do by best to cheer them up. Things like, watching their favorite movies, or simply getting them their favorite drink, their moods instantly became more cheerful. Not only that, but my favorite thing that I do to support my patients is allowing them to be independent, and complete tasks in which they believe they can do on their own. I strongly believe that allowing my patients to be independent contributes to their overall wellbeing. Receiving my CNA, and during that process, being a caregiver, I believe that caregiving has shaped my career goals and who I am today. Experiencing the hospital first hand, and the different careers, I decided to join the radiology department. Without caregiving, I don’t think I would have the courage to continue an education in the medical field. Being a caregiver allowed me to have empathy for others, and it has given me real life medical training, in which I still use to this day. Having the opportunity to receive this scholarship helps me with my future plans of becoming a radiologist, and to further pursue my academic career. Currently, I am an undergraduate student, and I am completing my pre-requisites for a radiology program at Community College of Denver. After graduation, I plan on applying my knowledge to low-income communities, specifically Native American populations in which 22% of Native Americans are elders that are incapable of caring for themselves. Overall, caregiving has looked like positivity, and it has shaped me today by allowing me to be more compassionate towards others. This scholarship matters, as I wish to continue caregiving, and cater my care towards older people who need medical assistance. Receiving my CNA, and during that process, being a caregiver, I believe that caregiving has shaped my career goals and who I am today. Having the opportunity to receive this scholarship helps me with my future plans of becoming a radiologist, and to further pursue my academic career.

“Who would believe the fantastic and terrible story of all of our survival,” by Joy Harjo. There are several experiences that I have had as a Native American woman, however, an experience that I hold dear to me, is how our Indigenous ceremonies have shaped my way of living and prospering. As I walk through life, slowly discovering my identity and career, I am constantly amazed by how often our experiences and communities impacts us. This is my journey of my Indigenous culture, creating a positive outlook on my heritage, and how it shaped my life. Throughout my childhood, I was introduced to a special dance, called the Jingle Dress, originally called the healing dance. The dance originates from the Ojibwe tribe, and it involves a dress, decorated with cones. From the moment I could walk, I participated in the Jingle dance, and later in high school, I began dancing in powwow. For me, powwow is sacred, as it is considered a form of ceremony that brings both Natives and non-natives together. Dancing is also a form of healing in itself, as we move and exercise to take care of our bodies. Taking powwow more serious as I got older, I ran for the title of Miss Blackfoot Highschool, and became a role model for our Native youth. As a result of this experience, I had begun to realize the importance of both cultural heritage, and education, especially on reservations in which education funding is scarce. Although I was dancing a healing dance, I wanted to further heal my tribe from the generational abuse in which has made my people struggle with their culture and education. Therefore, I collaborated with the Blackfoot Highschool Indigenous club, and hosted a field trip for fourth graders to learn the cultural importance of Native Americans, and how Natives have contributed to the development of our country. We encouraged our students to write about their experience learning Indigenous history, and many of the students were eager to learn more about Native Americans. Being able to contribute to this project allowed me to further advocate for indigenous students on reservations, and it has even given me the courage to continue my own academic journey. Attending an accredited Native American university, I had the opportunity to understand the importance of revitalizing Indigenous languages, history, and land acknowledgment. This helps me incorporate my indigenous heritage in professional settings, and feel confident in my cultural background. Being an oppressed minority, I have experienced both bad, and good. However, the good experiences always overcome the bad experiences. This is my journey of my Indigenous culture, creating a positive outlook on my heritage, and how it shaped my life. Throughout my childhood, I was introduced to a special dance, called the Jingle Dress, originally called the healing dance. As a result of this experience, I had begun to realize the importance of both cultural heritage, and education, especially on reservations in which education funding is scarce. Being able to contribute to this project allowed me to further advocate for indigenous students on reservations, and it has even given me the courage to continue my own academic journey.

Indigenous people make up about 2.9% of Americas total population. I am beyond proud to be apart of that 2.9%. For several years of my life, I struggled with my indigenous identity, and gradually became ashamed of my heritage. However, being exposed to my culture, and incorporating education, made me realize the importance of having access to education, and also the community that comes with being indigenous. Growing up on the Fort Hall Indian reservation, located in southeast Idaho, there wasn’t very many educational opportunities for Native americans. As our tribal schools were considered underdeveloped, and only offered a few courses. I was forced to attend school off the reservation, facing racism from kindergarten to ninth grade. My former high school, Pocatello High school, had an “Indian”, as their mascot, being the only Native american at my school, i was constantly bullied. Along with the feeling of not excelling as well in my studies, compared to my white and non-native peers. However, I made the bold decision to transfer High schools, into a High school with a more indigenous, and hispanic population. It was an amazing cultural shock, as there was several indigenous students, each from different tribal backgrounds. Transferring schools, allowed me to truly express my identity, and explore unique parts of my culture. Along with this, I began excelling in my studies! Being on the honor roll for my 3.9 GPA, graduating with two cords, receiving my CTE diploma, and also my certified nursing assistant (CNA), all while being the only Native American woman interesting in pursuing higher education. Although I often felt discouraged from reaching certain goals, I wanted to take initiative, and become a positive influence on the other indigenous students in my school. During my high school career, I also had the opportunity of becoming Powwow royalty, and representing not only my school, but my tribe, family, and my individuality. I helped my schools local indigenous club host a field trip for third grades, and exposing our youth to the importance of learning about other cultures. This influenced me to begin advocating for proper education amongst youth development, and learning. Despite my amazing achievements, I often faced backlash from non-native leaders. My school hosted a Powwow, in which our indigenous students performed for our non-native students, although we tried to share our culture, we were met with hostility. I was tired of receiving constant unhealthy criticism, which is why I attended a local education meeting, in regards to the racism happening in my school district. Although it was emotional for me, I stood up to my school principal, and education board, because if no one else will, then who? This was definitely my first step in creating safe spaces for Native American students to express themselves without being judged. These experiences had led me to choose health care, so I can teach indigenous students interested in health care, while incorporating old cultural practices. Of course I have taken the necessary steps towards this goal, I hope to one day to become a radiologist on my reservation. I want other indigenous women to know that, although the hardships we endure today are tough, we will always overcome our struggles. In conclusion, my Native American background has impacted my education tremendously thus far, and also shaping my educational goals for the future, despite the struggles as an indigenous person, I continue to move forward, and pursue goals others may not have the opportunity to!

As a kid, I used to sit around the kitchen table, listening to my family exchange stories, of our ancestors great achievements. These tales were filled with awe, laughter and resilience, of the Indigenous traditions that make up who I am now. Currently, I am a freshman, attending Haskell Indian Nations University. I often reflect how many challenges and struggles I have faced, to get to where I am at currently. Along with the experiences, in which have inspired me to pursue my goal of healthcare, and to continue my education as an Indigenous woman. Growing up on the Fort Hall reservation, like many other reservations, Fort Hall had very limited opportunities for our Indigenous youth. Not only opportunities, but also limited access to healthcare, most specifically the needed medical attention towards Native American women. Witnessing first hand, the struggles that Native American women face in healthcare. At the age of seventeen, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and placed on the Idaho Nursing Registry. One of the most impactful experiences from my background is the stories shared by my grandmother. She would often tell me about her life, the struggles she faced, and the resilience she showed. Her stories of perseverance in the face of adversity deeply inspired me. My grandmother often shares her experience of living with a residential school survivor, and has taught me the importance of education. “Anyone can take away everything from you, the clothes on your back, your money, car, but they can’t take away your education”. One conversation I can specifically remember between me and my grandmother that has shaped me forever. My grandmother is definitely one of the wisest people I know, which was why I received my CNA in the first place. A lot of the elders on my reservation don’t have family to take care of them, or often struggle with being independent. I really dislike seeing my Indigenous community struggle, especially vulnerable groups such as elders, and women. Which has shaped my goal of becoming a radiologist, and also assisting elders in need. I want to directly impact my community in a positive way, and share my medical knowledge with others. Several indigenous women struggle with finding radiology clinics locally, and have to travel long distances to find a clinic that works with them. My goal is to make the lives of my reservation easier, and leave a meaningful legacy behind. In conclusion, listening to the stories of my ancestors, my grandmother, as well as living on the reservation, are all experiences in which has shaped my goals. Witnessing the struggles of access to healthcare on reservations has motivated me to change our society in a positive way. My grandmother is one of the best mentors, and helped me receive my CNA. Receiving the Native Heritage Scholarship would be a tremendous opportunity for me to continue my education and work towards my goals. It would not only help me financially, but serve as a recognition of my commitment to make a difference in my community.