Are you thinking about going back to school to pursue your associates, bachelors, masters or doctorate degree? Is it constantly on your mind, every single day? Then I suggest you saddle up and pursue the thing that scares you the most. That is what I did. The thought of obtaining and going further with my education was a relentless thought, I constantly contemplated on what I wanted to be when I “grew up”.

I completed my undergrad at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. I went back to the reservation and I started working at the Public Health Program; working for my community was the perfect place to be. My supervisor at the time was very passionate about Public Health, she still is, and working with her I was amazed at how everything comes together in public health. If you aren’t familiar, public health is “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988; WHO). I contemplated for quite some time on choosing a career path, because I aspired to be so many things and I craved challenges. Amidst the whole contemplation phase, I became a mother and I was blessed with a beautiful daughter who I love so dearly. After becoming a mother, I started to make sense of the path I wanted to take.

Fast-forward to 2018, I did what I felt was daunting, I submitted my application to graduate school. After hitting the submit button, there were many thoughts in my mind of uncertainty, rejection and self-doubt. A few weeks later I received a letter of acceptance to the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. I had many mixed emotions, it was bittersweet, because the path I was choosing was very foreign to me and, I had my then two-year-old daughter to consider and care for, but I dived into the unknown head first.

I started grad school in the spring of 2019, and my first semester was smooth sailing. Oh boy, after semester one, the rest of my time at grad school was intense, to the point of wanting to surrender. I constantly questioned myself, what did I get myself into? Can I do this? Is this worth it? Being a single mom, working a full-time job, enrolled in a graduate program and becoming a teacher during the pandemic had its own challenges, and of course coming from a traditional family and being a Pueblo woman is also no easy role. Knowing my identity as an individual and the core values my late grandparents, Joe and Florinda Gachupin, instilled in my family kept me grounded. I persevered and stayed resilient because at one point, my ancestors prayed and fought for me to be where I am today and who I am today. My Indigenous ways of knowing allowed me to be resilient through all the challenges, fears and doubts I faced. Each day I am thankful for my family, especially my mother, because of her positive nurturing, she instilled the tools I needed for this life I am living. My father also had his own ways of instilling the tools I needed to be where I am at today.

Why am I telling you my story? My hope is that it inspires you to do more, and be more because we are all capable. I took the path of more resistance because I knew it was daunting, I knew it would challenge me, but I didn’t know life would throw other curve balls amid grad school. I have learned over the years that life is never static, and sometimes the universe has a way of sending you messages, especially when life may be stagnant for us.

I will continue with some advice, my top key takeaways from my own personal experiences, if you’re considering going back to school, it doesn’t matter who you are, I just hope my advice helps one person in this world. Before you read on and take my advice, step back and examine your own life because we are all living a different timeline, and keep in mind, there is no “right way” to live your life.

1. Find your support

It’s no denying that you will have a lot on your plate as you take on the next chapter of your life. Too often, as humans, we tend to think that in order to accomplish something is taking it all upon yourself. I think majority of the load of grad school, I took on myself, but I had a support system. I needed a support system, my parents and siblings supported my daughter and I through this accomplishment. Especially if it was crunch time for assignment deadlines and exams. Find a true support system, one that will work with you and not against you.

2. Sacrifice

You will need to make some sacrifices while on the path to earning and attaining your educational goals. The sacrifice may sound monumental, but no matter what, whatever path you choose for yourself the time will still pass you by. I always did my best to change my perspective to be more positive. Having a positive outlook creates less resistance in what you need to do to attain your goals. Don’t lose sight of why you started on the path and forget about the guilt because there will be many moments you will need to choose your reading, homework and class over your family time. The positive to sacrificing is that it is only temporary, but the reward is so much greater, and I will get to that.

3. Failure

There will be moments where you will feel like a failure, whether that is with your homework, being a parent, colleague, or simply being human. Without failure, we wouldn’t be able to learn and grow from anything, and if you want to succeed you will have to fail at something. It’s all about how you handle your failures and how you persevere. As humans, we tend to overlook and overthink, so be gentle to yourself as you maneuver through your path of more resistance.

4. Make personal wellness a priority

When you’re juggling school, work, being a parent, and all other roles or titles you may hold, it is important to continue to make yourself a priority. There will be nights you will need to choose sleep over homework or reading. Days where you will choose self-care, and I suggest you schedule in self-care in your planner, but of course when feasible, just don’t forget that you matter too. Those small ounces of self-care will take you a long way because you will be overwhelmed, stressed and overworked. If you’re not caring for yourself on your journey, how do you expect to reach your destination?

5. Hard work pays off

Throughout the journey, keep your eye on the prize. Don’t lose sight of why you started and let those reasons be what keeps you grounded. The journey to earning your degree may seem extensive but when you achieve your goal all the work and sacrifice will be worth the accomplishment. Today, I am able to look back to the many times I wanted to give up and put my goals and dreams on the back burner, but I am proud of my resilience. If you give up, make some room to learn and grow from that, but remember, you can always start where you left off.

As a parent going back to school, there are many positive outlooks for your children as well. Pursuing your own educational endeavors will also set up your own children for success because you’ll be serving as the guide for their own education. We know that children are like sponges, what they see, hear and learn stays with them. Lastly, think of going back to school as an investment to yourself and to your family. Investing in yourself will more than likely be money well spent. I invested in myself, and not until the end of my path of more resistance did I see the bigger picture. All the stuggles, hardships, challenges, and wanting to lay next to my daughter and fall asleep with her, was all worth the sacrifice and the rewards are monumentally astounding. I share my story with you because it is inherent in us as Indigenous peoples to tell and share your stories, in hopes that it will teach those around you that we are all capable to do what we set our minds to. I challenge you to invest in yourself, to get outside your comfort zone, because only then will you grow and become the best version of yourself.

 

 

Public health services. World Health Organization. (2021). Retrieved 2 April 2021, from https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/public-health-services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Putting yourself at the top of your list.

One thing I’ve learned since becoming a mother, it is ok if you feel you can’t “do it all”. This has not been an easy lesson to learn much less an easy thing to admit. I am self admittedly often too proud. And I am an especially proud Native woman – a Pueblo woman. So, realizing and accepting this not only didn’t come easy but even felt counter intuitive. And along with that the ideas of self-preservation or self-care also were foreign concepts to me as well. Something out of the books of Shangri-La. But I have accepted and agreed to taking my journey with these intentions.

If any of you are anything like me, you know all too well there are some days when you feel like the family super hero, Super Matriarch! flying through her list of not only the “to-dos” but also the “take care of everyone else’s” and the “keeper of all things”. Knocking all those out in a single-bound. BOOM! KAPOW! Then there are those days when the simplest of tasks that should be a pebble instead feels like a giant boulder you struggle to push up the mountain side. And that “to-do” list rolls out like an old cartoon scroll unraveling off into the never-ending distance. And all you can do is stand and watch it all seemingly get away from you. But it is ok. I repeat, it is ok. Just breathe.

Which leads me to yet another lesson, there is no finish line. Who knew, right? Now it is important to understand that I am a runner. Ever since I was a young girl trying to not only keep up with but also try to beat my superhero, my dad, at his own race. It has just always been a part of who I am. Competitive by nature. So, this concept of no finish line quite simply goes against my ingrained instincts. But I have learned it to be true. We are in a constant state of learning, we are in a constant state of being, and we are in a constant state of doing. Therefore, I have realized the finish line is really all just an illusion. Like an oasis that dissipates the moment you feel you’ve arrived only to realize that the line has somehow seemingly moved. And once again, you are off to the races chasing down this hazy yet magical mirage. But it is ok. I repeat it is ok. Just breathe.

Does any of this sound familiar? All too familiar? Just like so many other working mothers out there the feeling of being overwhelmed is nothing new. But what takes courage is to recognize and acknowledge that you simply can’t do it all no matter how much you deplete yourself trying. There are so many expectations placed upon us as Indigenous, working, modern – but stay traditional – women. I have also had to learn to admit that the biggest expectations usually come from myself. Because for any Native woman who grew up like me, honored but humbly raised in our traditional ways, we carry-on extra responsibilities. We carry-on the teachings of our elders, our grandmother’s, our mother, our Auntie’s, the women of our communities. We carry those responsibilities not just on our backs but quite literally in our bellies. All the knowledge passed down to us that we must now show and teach to our children – to our daughters. And for many of us who choose to fulfill those responsibilities it is not always easy.

It is not always easy navigating the many roads, avenues, and corners of the world that some of us travel to access education, to gain our experiences, or even seek adventure before taking on the responsibility of a career, being a partner to someone, and motherhood. And sometimes navigating those roads and paths back home can be just as tricky, sometimes even more treacherous than the ones taken when you first left. For me, personally, no matter how far I ventured or traveled or even lived away from my village, I was never too far away. My grandfather would always tell me assuredly “you will always come back home”. He was right. My heart always brought me back home. And home is where I stay to raise my daughter.

As much as we try to balance our everyday lives the one constant that grounds us as mothers is our children. As it should be. And as my daughter grows, I too continue to grow with her. I see many things in her – my mother, my father, my grandparents – all who are no longer with us in this physical world but who show themselves through her. Her laugh, her expressions, how she stands with her arms folded just like my dad did and her soft, compassionate, caring nature just as my mother. She is my new breath and yet at the young age of seven also my guide to my past. We, Pueblo people, often say the children came from knowing and she teaches me that every day.

So how do I honor her and raise her to be a strong, confident, Indigenous woman in this unforgiving atmosphere? I ponder this question almost every day. Obviously knowing all the challenges she will face. Surely, I don’t have all the answers but what I can give her is the same love and teachings I was given by my family and my community. There are many ways to do that but the most important for us both is learning and re-learning our Keres language together and utilizing our language in the things we do. We cook together just as I did with my mother and all the women in my family, acknowledging in Keres the traditional foods and plants we eat and how they were grown.

We also go on family hikes, bike rides, or fun runs which brings us much needed time together to actively enjoy our space in this world. Being outdoors in nature is where I find my place to ground myself, reconnect with our homelands, and just be. And, as parents, we realize the positive influence these places and activities also have on our daughter. When I asked her “what is the number one thing you want to do for your birthday?”, her response “go for a hike!”. So, hike we did. Almost five miles round trip into the mountains. “Challenge accepted!” as she confidently exclaims. And on this hike, I again speak to her the best I can in our language to remind us of the significance of all that we see, the name of the area we are occupying, and what it means to us as Pueblo people through our old stories, our history, our creation stories. We acknowledge the names of plants, trees, and animals. These is how I honor her and in doing so honor myself, and those before us. Remembering them and expressing our gratitude. Doing all these things is how I practice self-care and self-preservation. This is how I choose to prioritize myself. When I need my own space, I run. Just as I learned as a kid from my father, remaining grateful that I still run.

To all the single, married, or “it’s complicated” women and mothers out there remembering to replenish your spirit is crucial. To my Indigenous sisters, I implore you to prioritize yourself by recognizing the beauty around you, taking your place in this world, and most importantly recognize the beauty within. Follow our teachings by sharing your gifts but also recognize how important it is to give yourself the same love and care you would to others. I see you; I am you; I honor you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s #BlackHistoryMonth and we recognize the importance of honoring the contributions made by Black individuals and communities throughout history. We continue to stand in solidarity with our Black allies, and commit to working together to create better futures for our youth and communities by telling our own stories and uplifting our communities and cultures.

Here are some websites to help you celebrate Black History Month.

Black and Native American history:
African-Native American Lives in America
Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage
An Ancestry of African-Native Americans
The Black Native American descendants fighting for the right to belong

More resources to celebrate the month:

Children’s books to Celebrate Black History Month
Documentaries and films that highlight Black history and culture
Learn about 28 Black history makers in 28 Days
Support Black owned businesses

Like most everything, voting and why someone chooses to vote in unique to that person. Every election has so much at stake, and with the general election less than a month away, we asked our NB3 Foundation staff to share why they will be heading to the polls next month.

“I vote because my voice counts, my family counts, my community and my people count.  I may be but one voice but I represent many.  It is an opportunity to make a difference.  It is an opportunity to be heard.  It is an opportunity that wasn’t always granted but now more than ever I believe it is our duty to participate in the process that affects us all.  We may go to the polls as an individual but collectively we can make a significant impact.” 

 

 

 

 

 

“I vote because my vote matters and it affects our youth tomorrow, and my vote matters because my ancestors fought for me to be here today.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As a grant-writer, I vote for assurance that legislation to guarantee Government funding for Indigenous communities is supported. Government agencies that provide this funding have their budgets allocated through the legislative process; I vote for officials who are dedicated to maintaining that crucial support.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Like it or not, elected officials hold huge power over factors that impact our daily lives with lasting repercussions for our children and grandchildren. I vote for justice, for peace, and to protect our land, air, and water from industry and pollution so that they will sustain the generations to come.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As an Indigenous person, I have been taught to do things with other people in mind. We represent more than ourselves when we Vote. We Vote for those who didn’t have a voice… We Vote to keep the legacy of our families and people alive… We Vote to make the world a better place.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Our ancestors fought and persevered through many events and we are still here and still demanding that our voices be heard. I will vote because of the sacrifices they made and so that me, my children and future generations will continue be heard, our rights protected and our way of life valued.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I vote to be the change in my future. My future is not only mine but my family, my friends, my community and my culture. This is a chance for my voice to be heard.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“ I vote because as a mother I know my vote counts for more than just me. As we make our way to the polls in November I ask you all to vote for “us”. Vote for our Indigenous communities, for our traditions and our way of life. Vote to protect the futures of our young people.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Request a ballot or find your  nearest polling place here!