As an Anthropology student, relearning and identifying racial bias and systematic oppression is incredibly important--otherwise such things can find a way into our studies. In my studies, I have recently taken the time to really look at museums and how they acquire pieces. In doing so I have made myself, and hopefully will make others, more aware of how unethical it is to hoard artifacts that were stolen from Indigenous peoples. The focus of my study is on Native Americans, and in doing this research I have learned from members of the community how the denial of remains and artifacts has affected them personally. I am hoping to publish my findings, and in doing so I hope it will urge the public to pressure museums to return unethically claimed artifacts. While this is being done through repatriation in the United States, the British Museum is still unwilling to return items they stole through conquest and colonization. It is the duty of the public to hold these institutions accountable, and I am hoping that others will become more conscious of the ethics of acquisition in order to return cultural pieces to their rightful groups. I also hope that the return of such pieces can help these groups heal from the horrors put on them by colonization and assimilation attempts. While I am still working on this research, it has made me more aware of museums in my country, and the questions regarding acquisition. Although some pieces are gifted, they may be gifted by collectors who bought them from a looter--which is still unethical. I have become more aware of how these pieces being kept from their rightful owners can affect Indigenous groups. Indigenous cultures have been the target of forced assimilation for over a century now, and such many of their languages, practices, traditions, and cultural items have been destroyed, which can make it difficult for current members of tribes to construct a lost history or former traditions. Overall, it can assist in causing the loss of a cultural practice, which is something that no groups should have to endure. From a personal standpoint, this is hard for me to grasp, because my culture has never been threatened; I think this makes the research all the more important, because now I am more capable of understanding this loss, and thus I can be better at empathising and allyship for indigenous groups. Indigenous people have a voice, though their voice is often overlooked by those outside of their group, when in reality outsiders are really the ones that should be listening. Overall I feel that this research and work with tribal histories has made me a better ally to Indigeous peoples, as I am more able to understand and more involved in the current social issues of the tribes.

When I was in high school, and at the peak of my own personal struggle with depression, I couldn't fathom going to university. Depression hit me hard, and I went form a 4.0 student to barely passing my classes, and with little outside support, I couldn't understand what was happening to me. My family also does not think much of mental health, so I hadn't even considered therapy. At the time, I was also struggling with disordered eating, which went hand in hand with my depressive episodes. Because of this time period, I was no longer interested in pursuing my education, and I didn't. I took time off and worked until I was 21; I graduated in 2015 and did not go back to school until 2018. I went to community college, and I felt much better about my classes, until I started feeling burn out. At this time, I still hadn't actually reconciled with my own mental health, and it wasn't until I found myself struggling still in 2019 that I sought help from outside my friends and family. After I began to see a therapist, I finally had answers and possible solutions to help me cope with my depression. However the many years I spent unmotivated, tired, and confused did not come without consequence. I struggled to maintain any friendships throughout or after high school, as I often would rather lay in bed than engage with others. This lead to many short lived friendships, and although I knew I should be putting more effort into my relationships, I simply couldn't--and I was not sure why. Before beginning therapy, I was lost and unmotivated, and because of this I did not want to pursue my education or meaningful friendships, as I often felt let down or disappointed by their outcomes. However, after starting and continuing therapy, I have been able to learn proper coping mechanisms, and due to this my goals have changed. I went from unmotivated to the top of my class for my major, and I am being awarded for this achievement. I also have plans to continue my education into graduate school, having been accepted already. I also have close friends that I was able to properly express my mental health concerns to, and they are empathetic, understanding, and encouraging of my goals and mental health. Depression can make the world seem bleak and hopeless at times, and I remember feeling as though I drew the short stick in life. This is still a struggle, as my depression is chronic and persistent, therefor I must manage, not cure, my illness. I learned that these thoughts, while okay to have, should not be a ruling factor in my life. Instead, as part of my therapy, I do my best to look at what I do have, and to analyse bad days from an objective perspective, instead of immediately blaming myself or others. Overall, I think my mental illness stalled my progress for a while, and had I received therapy earlier I do not believe I would have had to suffer for so long. For this reason I believe mental health still needs to be destigmatized and the pubic needs to be properly educated on treatments, and the benefit that therapy can bring. While progress regarding mental health has been made, I think it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done--even for those who may feel they are not worthy of treatment because they are high-functioning. Part of my struggle was that I felt, because I was still active and accomplishing some things, I did not need help. I think this mindset needs to be addressed, because I know many others who have felt the same, and truthfully no one is unworthy of receiving help.

Although the pandemic has proven to be a difficult time for many, including myself, I was able to use the multiple lockdowns to establish new healthy habits and to expand upon my hobbies. I spent more time outdoors; I've always loved the beach and hiking, but often I would get wrapped up in life and neglect really living. When the pandemic first hit, I took multiple day long hikes through the North Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula. I was able to reconnect with nature. This greatly improved my mental health, and taught me new, valuable ways to work through chronic depression. As a result, I have been healthier, happier, and performing better in my studies. The pandemic also made it possible for me to spend more time working on art. I improved my dancing ability; I had time to practice and dance, just for the sake of dancing. Dancing, not only keeps me healthy, but allows me to express myself in a healthy way. I also was able to put more time into painting. I have painted since I was in the single digits, but previously I did not make the time to really work on my craft. Since the pandemic began, I've moved out of my comfort zone of landscape painting, on to portraits. Although they are not perfect, I am happy with the progress I have been making. The pandemic forced me to slow down, and engage in hobbies I previously put on the back-burner. I had to find new ways to stay entertained, and in doing so, I rediscovered activities that make me happy. As trying as the pandemic and lockdown have been, they have ultimately given me the opportunity to pursue outlets I did not have the time to before. It has made me happier, healthier, and more grateful for the many people around me that helped me through the lows.