Today we played the Mexica Flower Wars with Hector. It was a great way to communicate, bond, and listen to everyone’s idea on what to do so we can strive. Earlier that day we talked about Indigenous rights and Environmental issues. I believe that there is a way these two things can help one another. When we discussed about all the issues on the Navajo Nation, I felt as if we need to do something. In the Mexica game we had to communicate and come to an agreement on what to do as a family/community. We as a community can help it by communicating with each other so we can benefit our society. When we do this we then can have less issues because we all understand the problem!!
Destiny’s 3rd day at NY2C!
The concepts of communication and community that we practiced today in Mexican Flower Wars are teaching people to not only watch out and protect yourself, but also protect the people that mean a lot to you. The game taught us coming together as one and value everyone’s ideas and suggestions; I think that’s what makes a good leader a great one.
As I was actually thinking about what environmental and law issues the Navajo Nation has, I feel more aware listening and reading more about the abandoned uranium mines, how to protect the Bear’s Ears National Monument, and even going back to the past and analyzing how The Long Walk still has an affect on our Navajo people today. This has taught me that my generation and others after are the future of the entire community, country, and even the world. Listening to the issues that are going on inspires me to at least read and learn more on about what I can do to help people.
Ya boy Ben is back NY2C!!!
Another year back here at Native Youth to College! Although public speaking isn’t my best quality, I did my best to speak. It was good to see old/new faces. Everyone was welcoming and it felt as if I’ve never left. Today went well! I got to catch up with my friends I haven’t seen in a long time. 
Just like last year we had martial arts and once again it was amazing! Even though I did this last year, I’m still rusty. The food was good here and the activities we did really bonded all of us together. I can’t wait to make more memories throughout this journey!
Destiny’s back to NY2C!
When I came off of the plane and was picked up by Violet, I immediately felt that same good, positive, welcoming vibe from last year and I felt like I was at home. Arriving at campus and seeing old and new friends is the best feeling ever. I missed the people, the scenery, and the knowledge from this program and ever since last year, I couldn’t wait for July 2018.
Even though today’s heat was almost unbearable, I still had a good day. Finally seeing friends from last year felt like a family reunion and I haven’t talked to a lot of new people yet, so anybody reading this that doesn’t know me, just say “Hey!” I’m willing to meet new people. 
First Day at Pitzer College for Tyvon
The first day at pitzer for me started at 6 in the morning beginning with a beautiful sunrise followed by a opening ceremony for all new and returning participants of the programs. At the beginning of the day I also got to meet some new people with great attributes most of them pretty friendly and welcoming. The day even though it was absolutely fantastic but it was accompanied by an unwelcome heatwave. An amazing speaker came today to talk to us about some great topics which we elaborated on for a while. The last activity of the day was Martial Arts with Hector this was actually very exhilarating experience which I enjoyed greatly. So far the program is very fun with a myriad of adventures awaiting us for the next few days.
Leaving Pitzer by Benjamin
Hector and John
Every morning we started it off with John and Hector playing the indigenous games. They taught us good self defense techniques. I would like to thank them for all they have done and all they have taught us. Each morning was tiring but those two guys helped out with waking us all up. Thank you so much Hector and John.
Vincente
Where do I even start off with him. He is full of so much knowledge and has been nice enough to share that with us. He taught me how to do many math problems on the Nepohualtzintzin. All the stories he knows about the truth of the tool is so amazing. I will keep working on learning more about the Nepohaultzintzin. He even taught us Aztec dancing, it’s so much fun! Vincente’s class was the best out of everyday here at pitzer. Thank you so much Vincente!!!
Shelva
Shelva has opened my eyes on how to become a better writer than I ever was before. She teaches everyday about writing and on how we could find the right college for us. Finding some colleges that fits for me was good. I liked how she always greeted us with a good attitude every time we came in through the door. Thank you Shelva for all you have done.
Auntie Julia
Antie Julia is the nicest person in the whole world! She gave me many gifts that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life. Even though she didn’t come a lot, I still had a great time with every moment I was with her. Thank you so much Auntie!
Wishtoyo people
Thank you letting us be on your land. Everyday was a good day, learning new things, having fun, swimming, making memories, and Nana’s food!! I had a blast at Wishtoyo for my first time being there. The activities were very nice and I learned a lot. Thank you so much!
Mentors
Bellmont : Thank you for letting me feel welcome and being there for me. I had an amazing experience being your mentee!I hope I’ll see you next year!!! I am thankful for the talks we had and the bond that will never be broken
Phil Phil Phil! : I had a good time laughing with you, and rapping with you! Thank you so much.
Neeka: We had some funny times, and some serious times. I liked how you agreed with the things I said and you are there for me. Thank you so much Neeka! P.S Thanks for the help with my essay.
Anna: We had some laughs here and there. I am thankful for all that you have done for me! P.S Thanks for the snacks!!
Laura : Thanks you for the conversations and laughs. You helped me with my writing and I am thankful. Thank you so much!
Zara : You are a cool person and I liked how we always laughed at things. Thank you for who you are, and for what you have done for me!
MIKA! : Thank you for all the help you have done! You’re a very smart person. Thank you so much!!
Student
Thank you so much for accepting me here!! You made me experience great!! I want to keep in contact with you all. HMU when y’all in Page! I will miss you all!!!
Second To Last Day
The past fourteen days has been the best days that I have had this summer and I want to thank all the teachers for taking large portion of their time to teach us so much knowledge which has inspired me. Also I want to thank the mentors for helping us with some problems that we needed help with like with math or writing. A special thanks to Vincente (our Aztec Math Teacher) personally he is my favorite teacher because he is full of knowledge and wise which is why he if my favorite. I want to thank all the others for providing me the best experience that I will treasure the experiences I’ve had here so thank you all.
“If you’re a proud Native, decolonize your mind.” by: Destiny
Today we had a lecture about Native American history and government. He had a lot of good information about how many Native Americans suffered through their trials and tribulations when the intruders came to America and started to colonize the land. There was a certain thing that was said that made me feel like I was targeted. When he said that if you’re a proud Native, decolonize your mind from the christian mind.
I felt stupid when I didn’t speak up when I felt offended. I honestly didn’t know what held me back of not saying anything. When he said “that guy that’s hanging on the cross didn’t die for you, you’re ancestors did.” The way he presented his lecture, he said his message with anger and I think that’s what made me upset also. He made believing in Jesus was a bad thing as an indigenous person.
He made the message sound like we have to believe in one thing only, it can’t be both. As a proud Baptist Navajo, I know who I am about my identity and no one can change that. I thought it was hypocritical of him to say don’t let anyone change your identity, yet he said and the end I have to believe in a certain thing to be a proud native. I get to decide who I am. I didn’t want to be rude, but he was the one who was being rude. I didn’t stand up for my rights and I don’t know why I didn’t. He has his truth and I have mine.
“Proud Native of my own invention.”-Neeka
Another Day At Pitzer
by: TyVon Greyeyes
Today was almost as usual as everyday like we did math, wrote, and blogged but the most unusual part of the day was when we went to Western University cadavers which was very weird but we had a ceremony in the beginning to help us get through this activity. My thoughts of the cadavers have to be mixed between disgusted and sorrow because I thought why would you do this to a person they once laughed, cried, loved, and felt the warmth of happiness at one point of their life but they want that for themselves so I guess this is how they wanted it. So the rest of the day was very great and I like this program so much.
Saving a Dying Language: by Destiny
” The Marines talked to me, interviewing me in English about my family and my education… There were no interviews in Navajo. Apparently the Marines assumed we all spoke Navajo.”- Chester Nez (1921-2014). This quote was said by a World War 2 Marine veteran. He was the last original Navajo Code Talker to serve in the Marines. So in this quote, Chester’s saying even though he has to suffer a lot in order to learn English at school, he reaps the rewards later when he can prove to the Marine recruiters that his grasp of English is strong as his grasp of Navajo. He’ll need both languages for his work as a code talker. The Code Talkers stories really inspires me to learn more about my language and culture. I realized that I took being able to speak Navajo as a little girl for granted because I’m eager to learn more and save my language for my people, before it dies out.
nativeyouth2college.org 