Hey! I’m Maya. I’m of Taíno and mixed European descent, and have lived in Claremont all my life. I am an upcoming junior at Claremont High School, and I enjoy spending my time drumming, rock climbing, and teaching. I teach art with a volunteer program called artSTart to elementary age children. This program has led me to do things that I wasn’t even aware i was capable of (Such as speaking in front of the mayor, councilmen, AND 60 people) and I am so grateful for it. I’m not yet sure if I’d like to do art therapy or elementary school education, and am considering a double major in sociology and psychology. I am ecstatic to be back at Native Youth to College for the second time. Going to college is incredibly important to me, and being that Pitzer is my top choice, I couldn’t be happier to be here. I am so enthusiastic to be at a program that ties together native culture with my passion for education.
Blog
Daniel fabian First impression
When I first came I was nervous and through the day I started to feel more comfortable because of the theater exercise I participated in. It had me amazed because I could relate to the other youth in this program.
David Fabian Bio- 1st Blog
My name is David Fabian, I am from Pomona, Ca. I am of Pit River descent, which is located in Northern California. I am going into my senior year at Damien High School, located in La Verne. Other programs I have done was Western University Pipeline Program and University of La Verne Summer Program. Jobs I have done was volunteering at churches and working for homeowners. Awards I received at school were honor rolls for keeping a good GPA. I see myself as a music lover and sport fanatic. What I hope to accomplish in the future is to go to college and hopefully get a job in the music industry or a Pro-Sport franchise.
Daniel Fabian First Blog
My name is Daniel Fabian and I am from Pomona, California. I am Native American and I’m also apart of the Pit River Tribe located in northern California. I see myself as a dreamer because I have a lot of goals I hope to accomplish. I currently go to Damien High School and will be a senior.
I have been to some native pipeline events at Western University in the past. A special project I have done at my school was to raise money and buy various items for families who couldn’t afford to give their family a good Christmas. Recognitions I have obtained at my school was Green Honor Roll and outstanding achievement in a chemistry course which means I finished top five in that course. I have not publicly given a speech before but maybe someday I will. Volunteer jobs I’m proud of is being a helper at a elementary school in which I taught 1st graders math and made sure they were able to understand the concepts. I hope to be less shy and quiet in the future because it is problem that I need to overcome.
Hello everyone, nice to meet you. My name is Violet Marie Luxton and I am a Latinx-Indigenous artist, musician and activist. My traditional name is Tokoor hakii Shiraawáx which means “Woman who speaks” in Tongva. My ancestors come from the Penobscot Nation, and First Nations of Sinaloa and La Paz Mexico. I am of mixed European descent and hope the program will deepen my connection to my Native Heritage and pride.
I’m dyed-in-the-wool Southern Californian, deeply engaged in local movements for ecological and social justice. I am passionate about partnering with native communities across the region to reclaim and sustain our indigenous knowledge and culture.
I attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California, where I pioneered an independent major in Integrative Psychology. The program ignited my fascination for exploring creativity through technology – one of my favorite projects involved using computer science tools to measure the neurological impact of music. Since graduating in 2011, I’ve continued to synthesize my work in practices such as art making, gardening and meditation, linking disciplines that are too often siloed apart from each other as a way to find new paths toward healing and empowerment. My current work explores meta-materials for music mediation technology and gestural computing for augmented artistic expression.
With a love for music that borders on obsession, I’m currently sharpening my skills as a performer and creator while studying music theory and computer science at Pasadena City College. The experience has driven me to challenge the Eurocentrism and elitism that still dominate music education. My vision? A new kind of academy where indigenous knowledge is just as valued as “classical” texts, and where students challenge old dogmas to redefine “beauty” and “harmony” on their own terms.
I am also a dedicated yogi and a certified instructor in Kundalini Yoga. I have spent nearly a decade teaching yoga and meditation at college campuses, fitness studios, music festivals, and even prisons, where I share techniques to promote health and wholeness. I enjoy helping educators, nonprofits, students and soul seekers from all backgrounds reduce stress, enhance awareness and deepen their compassion.
Raised in a family with a strong legacy of Chicano activism, I was shaped by the stories of my parents, aunts and grandparents who battled against racism during the farmworker movements of the 60s and 70s. My experiences as an indigenous-latinix woman have deepened my resolve to dismantle oppression in all forms. I continue to campaign for worker and immigrant rights throughout California, and I’m currently active in local campaigns against environmental racism and pollution. On my spare time, I create online communities for digital feminists, and forge collaborations with local artists. I also love exploring the mountains and canyons of Southern California, and I’m determined to defend this sacred land from development and exploitation.
Aho!
Eisen Ipac
Hey y’all! My name is Eisen and I will be one of your mentors this year! I am a rising sophomore at Pomona College as a mathematics major with a sociology minor. I hope to get a Masters’ degree in Mechanical Engineering and eventually work with Engineers without Borders, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping developing countries around the world. Currently, I am involved in IDEAS, an organization to help support undocumented students on campus, and Quest, a national scholarship program for low-income/first generation students.
I am pretty disorganized, funny (or so I like to think), and am incredibly in love with sleep. I am also extremely competitive, especially when playing basketball and ultimate frisbee. Though I can be sarcastic, I like hilarious puns and cute things.
Alysha’s Bio
Hey, everyone!
My name is Alysha White and I will be one of your mentors this year! I am from the Diné Nation of St. Michael’s/Ganado, Arizona, but grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Growing up in the Land of Enchantment, not only did I grow up engaging in my Native culture, but I was also deeply engaged in my New Mexican culture. For instance, I would attend Mariachi performances at the theatre, eat New Mexican style foods (HOT CHILI!!!), and listen to Hispanic music while enjoying dinner at Sadie’s (a popular, authentic New Mexican restaurant). I love the fact that I grew up in New Mexico because there is such a rich culture there that I identify with easily but I also love my Native culture. I enjoy participating in traditional ceremonies such as Peyote Meetings and coming of age ceremonies as well as learning the Navajo language. To me, it is important that I keep learning more about my ancestors and traditions so I can pass them down to my children. I am currently in the Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media Program (IFDM) at the University of New Mexico, which integrates Film Production and Business Marketing.
This will be my 4th time at the Native Youth to College Program, my 2nd as a mentor. I thoroughly enjoy coming back to Pitzer every year because this program allows me to engage in cultural traditions that I would not have known about if I had not attended this program. You all are going to have so much fun at this program, whether it is your 1st year or your 3rd year and I cannot wait to see everyone!!
Belmont’s Bio
My name is Belmont Pinger and I am so excited to be a mentor for this years program! I was born in so called Los Angeles, shared territory of the Cahuilla, Tongva, Chumash and other first nations. When I was six my family and I moved to New York City. After high school I went to a year of college in Edinburgh, Scotland. I then took a break from college and moved back in with my family. While at home I worked as a cook and a butcher. I then went back to school and attended Pitzer College where I graduated from this may. I just got back from two indigenous resistance camps in Wet’suwet’en and Gitwilgyoots territory in Northern British Columbia. At the camps I learned a lot about indigenous sovereignty and ate traditional foods such as salmon, moose, and bear. It was delicious! I love to cook, adventure and defend mother earth. Cant wait to meet yall!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
About Neeka!
WOW!
I feel so lucky to be a mentor for the Native Youth to College program this summer. Already I’m so impressed by the team of mentors, and am really excited to work with them and all the incredible students!
I’m an Azeri daughter who grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After my senior year of high school, I packed up my things and came to Pitzer for college! I just graduated this spring in Environmental Policy, and am unsure about what I’m gonna do for my next step…..! I do know though, that I am really passionate about social and environmental justice, and building communities of resistance in accordance with those values. I also believe in the power of art, food and music in bringing these communities together.
I love swimming, especially in rivers and (calm) oceans. I think there is magic outside, and believe there is so much to discover in our relationship to the land and other life. I love to learn from and get to know different people! Love to laugh, and will find any excuse to dance…and make you dance with me 🙂
Edgar – 2016 Mentor
Hello All,
My name is Edgar Morelos, and I will be one of the mentors for this summer’s program.I recently graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a bachelors degree in Latin American Studies.
I am really excited to be a part of this program and the opportunity to get to know the students and other mentors.
I little about me, I am the oldest child in a family of 6 and first in my family to both attend and graduate from college. I was born in a small town near Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico but was forced to migrate to the states at the age of twelve. Since then, I have been living and working in the City of Pomona, CA. My hobbies include organizing with the community, talking politics, hiking, and playing basketball with friends.
Lastly, I look forward to meeting y’all soon and hope you are having a great summer break!
Best,
Edgar Morelos
Claremont McKenna College ‘ 16
nativeyouth2college.org 