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1. The commitment I can make is showing our teacher, she let us do a presentation about Pitzer’s program we have and we got more people to go so we can do that and talk to 2 of the councilors who are into helping kids get to college and graduating. But it’s only for any college in Washington, so I’m going to be doing a year maybe two at home then transfer to a different college, there are so many options. But our teachers at Lummi Nation School are so encouraging and always wanting us to succeed, they will even buy raffles from us :D. But we can show everyone back at home, they have big meetings at our community building for many things, we can go there and talk about it. I really want kids to look into college especially back at home there are a lot of kids who drop out at an early age an I don’t want that to happen to any more of my friends/cousins.

2. I will share the information with kids at our school. Try to encourage them if they would do that, but there are so many kids active with our culture, theres canoe pulling, canoe journey, they keep active so I guess that’s a good thing, but it won’t hurt to try something different.

A way I could give back to my Native community is to spread the word about this program. Give them an opportunity to apply to this amazing program. Where I live, there aren’t a lot of Indigenous people, so whenever I will have a shot to spread the word. That’s the best I can do to help my community.

I had a fun time at Chaffey Community Garden today! For the first time in pipeline, I actually completed a craft from beginning to end. In fact, I finished before everyone else. What’s the craft I was able to finish so quickly and well? Making rabbit fur ropes. I’m a vegetarian and the only thing I’m good at is cutting rabbit skins.

Wow.

Also, I ate these grapes and my lips went numb. More numb than when I usually eat grapes.

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I’m going to distribute Native Youth Survival Guide to Preparing for College to some of my friends. I don’t have any native friends or family members, but the information given in our blogs is helpful to all youth. I think there’s a lot of critical information that we’ve learned in our Common Application and writing classes that can be used to help apply to college. I can send my friends the link so it’s easily accessible to them.

1) I think it would be a smart idea to hand the books out for free to my school. Since the majority of my school have indigenous heritage, it would benefit them greatly!

2) I can share the information by any means necessary. Rather it be by sharing a link of the digital copy and emailing it to every native youth that I know, or sharing and mass-producing a physical copy of the book to every student in my school, or by sharing both copies at community events.

1) To help distribute our book, Native Youth Survival Guide to Preparing for College, I can commit to sharing the information with my community and native youth at my school. I think it will be a great thing to spread in my reservation because many of the students need these guidelines and advice. They need the motivation to finish high school and go to college.

2) I will share this info/book at my school in our Oksale class; oksale means teacher in Lummi language and the class is for native youth. Most likely with a presentation and if possible, hand out copies of the book or give them a link to read it online. I will also encourage them into applying for the pipeline next year by sharing how I like the program and how it has helped me these last 2 years. And by sharing it with the community I can post the information on our community page on Facebook.

Generation Indigenous

My commitment to telling the indigenous youth who are thinking about attending the Pipeline Program or thinking about going to college: I will share at my school first to reach out to my high school about the college summer programs, not only share with my classmates but my National Honor Society, friends, and anyone to who asks questions on what I’ve been involved with. My goal is to get to college, and I’ve motivated myself to make new connections in the Indian community around the world. I’d like to share my experiences and offer those opportunities to help you apply too! As royalty and a senior, I want to be a role model for others and show them the guidance, motivation, and support. I never really looked up to anyone. I pictured myself who I wanted to be, and now I’m proud I’ve come so far. Still long ways to go but I know I’ll get through it.

When I get home I can tell the people at my school that can spread the information about the great experience I had with the Pipeline Program. I would be able to the principal or one of the councilors that promote college programs for students.

My ancestors are an imperative aspect of my indigenous culture. My ancestors are important to me as they are a part of who I am. If it were not for many of my ancestors I would not be the successful person I am today. One such ancestor is Cuauahtemoc who was tortured and killed because he took his position as tlatoani (speaker/leader of the People) seriously and didn’t give the Spaniards what they wanted. Having this knowledge about my ancestors, that they fought for our People’s lives, helps motivate me to live a meaningful life so our People may continue to flourish and grow. I will not let their deaths be in vain.  
Another important aspect of my culture is our ceremonies which help unite my People. Participating in ceremony prepares you to lead a successful and meaningful life because you are taught respect, responsibility, and love for yourself and your people. One of my favorite ceremonies is that of the day of the dead which lasts multiple days and is a celebration of both life and death (both of which are equally important in my culture). We remember those who have passed through altars, dances, and songs while celebrating those of us who still live. Ceremonies serve a greater purpose in my indigenous culture as they not only unite us but allow us as a People, who have struggled, to be inspired and feel joy in who we are despite what has happened to our People. Participating in ceremony in the 21st century is a powerful method of decolonization.     

Language (written/spoken and pictorgraphic) is also an important aspect of my culture as it not only allows us to speak to those who only speak our mother tongue but allows us to understand important documents and pieces left by our ancestors. Language serves as a web which connects us to our past, present, and future. Being able to speak, read, and write in my mother tongue, I believe is a factor that helped get me into UCLA. I believe it can do the same for others as multilingualism is beautiful and admired. It helps people lead a more successful, meaningful, and productive life. As an indigenous person being able to speak my mother tongue gives my pride. I am able to connect with my ancestors, culture, and People on a different level.   

Cultural knowledge and participation in ceremony helped prepare me for college as it help strengthen me mentally and spiritually. Being strong mentally and spiritually are key in persevering in life as it is filled with hurdles and barriers. Also, my cultural knowledge and participation in ceremony provided me with a higher level of consciousness which many where shocked by at the univeristy. Most importantly, I believe because of my cultural knowledge and participation in ceremony I am more motivated to come back home and give back to my People. I know what needs to be done and I will do all in my ability to contribute to the growth and strengthening of my People. All indigenous youth must attain cultural knowledge and participate in ceremony as it will help uplift them and will do nothing but good in furthering them and their People.     

Ometeotl,

Miahuatl Yoloquetzalli Oceloxochitl Kuauhtzin 

1) It’s a website, to find information about colleges. Most colleges allow you to apply through the Common Application.

2) Make an account and fill out personal information.

3) It’s important to research colleges so you can get an idea of what colleges offer.

4) It’s important because you have to give them an idea of who you are and why its important to you for you to attend that college.

5) Explain why you should be accepted and not another student. Tell them who you are. Make sure its only about you and not about someone else.

6) Keep it Interesting, tell them some stories about YOU. Make sure that you give a little humor.