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Being apart of this program has made me feel really inspired and has pushed me to be more open with others about my culture and have a positive attitude. Now  that I have this ball full of energy, power and motivation I want to go deeper and really educate myself more about my culture and not just focus on Danza Azteca. Like for an example I want to practice more on the nepohuantzinzin and learn more of my traditional songs as well as learning how to speak in my native tongue. Hopefully later on I will complete these goals in my future, eventually when I have I children I will past down my knowledge to them and expect for them to continue the traditions and culture to the future generations. In the program the person that has made think about this is Vicente, Vicente is a very passionate human being that has made me really reflect upon myself and since we share the same identity it makes me even ,more engaged and feel even more humble knowing that I have another peer in my community who’s educated about our culture and who’s taking the time to share his experiences and knowledge with me.

What I am taking from this program is so much more then just new relationships with different indigenous people (although extremely important), I am taking home a better understanding of my relationship with Earth, animals, and culture. I wish to see 3 necessary norms change in society: the treatment of women, the constant environmental harm the masses contribute too, and the treatment of indigenous peoples on our own territory. Some one who has inspired me in the program is my mentor tekpatl. All of the positive influence and empowering words he has shared with me and other mentees has driven me to change my style of living that goes directly against our peoples values. Especially since he is only 1 year older then me it really motivates me to reconnect with my future and traditions. The legacy I want to leave behind is one of an urban indigenous youth that is culturally invested and motivated to influence other indigenous youth  to decolonize their style of living that isn’t healthy.

Hello everyone, my name is Marisa . Coming to the Native Youth to College Program has connected me with my high school teachers/elders from Sherman. During the program Lori Sisquoc shared the making of the traditional basket. During this activity I learn about of weaving and the creativity of designs. I also got in contact with Josie Montes, my high school women’s traditional drum group “White Rose.” I had the chance to play the hand drum and sing songs shared by Josie. It really created a bond with my other mentees because they got to experience the teachings of songs and basket weaving taught at my boarding school that I am surrounded by on a daily basis. These elders have inspire me to implement new ideas of being a young native american women by following these teachings  of songs, languages, and cultural expressions. The legacy I hope to leave for the future generations is to inspire children to learn their culture through sacred songs and traditional basket weaving. Another thing is for the future generations to know who they come from and where they belong in the world. I would like to give the generation a knowledge of how their ancestors lived in harmony and creating.

Thursday July 20th                                                                                                    -Marisa Sosa

There were many people during this program who inspired me to keep hold and be pride of my culture and heritage. But if I had to pick, it would have to be Elder Mati. When I seen him at Wishtoyo, my face was full of excitement and happiness. while visiting, he taught so much as to what kind of path I want to take and how I’m going to improve my community. When I participated in the sweat ceremony, I felt so belonging and enabled to make a difference in the world. he gave this hope that I thought I never had. The hope to bring a nation together that will fight for a global impacting cause. I want to leave the same legacy that Elder Mati is leaving for his children, the children in the program and the ones he impacts everyday. I would be humbled and honor to leave a legacy so inspiring as his.

As I have been at this program everyone here has had part in inspiring me especially the elders i have met. Many of the native people from the Wishtoyo village had an impacted me with how much they are involved with their culture. Seeing how involved they are made me want to learn more about my culture. Spending time with Auntie Julie and hearing her sing and teaching us native songs and how to make baskets inspired me as well to want to learn more of not just my culture but of everyones. As for the future generation I hope to leave the legacy of showing that it doesn’t matter what background or where you come from you can overcome anything if you put your mind to it.

Okay, to be completely honest, I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Well, I do so I guess I’ll just share that. I want to move out of state (California) and move to Santa Fe, New Mexico and attend Institute of American Indian Arts and get a bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies and teach indigenous youth about their culture somewhere in  Canada. Then I realized how messed up the schooling system is and I personally don’t want that in my life more than I already have to.  So realistically, I’ll go to community college for a year since my school district gives us a free whole year. Then, I will transfer into IAIA and get the same degree I strive to get. After that, I’ll move to Santa Barbara, California because my tribe is from there and I’ll do revolutionary stuff for the Chumash community because what we need right now to to show the world that we are strong, resilient and indigenous…Oh…AND STILL HERE!!!!!

-Aolani

If you were to ask me to announce what I desire to change, I would give you the succinct answer,”Everything that is wrong”. However I could elaborate and then distinguish those of which that are most behoving to me. Firstly it is my people, the Anishinaabe. I want aid in the elimination of mass poverty affecting my people and the preservation of our native culture. I also think it would be cool to help out Mother Earth, I think she deserves a little compensation for these past few hundred years.

-Zaryn Prussia