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My name is Jacob Bennett, and I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but was raised in Shonto,

Arizona, and it is a bit of a story of how I ended up at NAU. I remember my parents telling me

what it was like raising me in Phoenix as they had many stories to tell, but sooner or later there

was complications and they decided to move back to the reservation. As I was living on the

reservation and growing up, I saw problems and wonder why, for example, there is a of

healthcare, and that diabetes is common and somewhat of an epidemic. As I got older, my

experience motivated me to dive deeper on why Navajo people have a difficult time being

healthy as there are environmental factors for example. Taking classes in high school like Navajo

Government and looking at the history of how this idea of adopting the United States’

government system in order to function like a nation on their own yet there were some problems

along the way. Movies and films I watched as a kid that expressed how being Native American

add problems that were included to show that these were stories told from an Indigenous people

seeing it be different then how a non-Indigenous would describe it. I see why they showed us to

get an idea of what the times were like back then and not many people know about this or taught

about that side of American history. Another class I took at NAU, and I felt somewhat

uncomfortable as being the only Native American in that class as the topic of the origin of

boarding schools came about. To my surprise not many knew about it but although I was familiar

with the mistreatment and remembering those stories I heard from before. However, it did not

stop me from continuing my education as there were barriers and it was just an experience to

push myself to get through the hardships. I also had second thoughts thinking if this was the right

choice for me, but I decided to see where it would get me and seeing how far I came. I did see I

had a lot to learn and continue to do so looking at it from a different perspective along with the

classes that helped me to decide my major in Applied Indigenous Studies. Although this major
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isn’t nearly as popular as the other majors and I feel different or othered by the majority of those

in different majors and support could be little as I think to myself that I ask too many questions

and it feels like a burden or imposters syndrome. As time goes by, I hope I influence those

wishing to help their communities with what I plan to do in the future is work with others and

educating them in a way like a teacher in being the voice of those that need help. Then again

there may be some other possibilities like working with government.

Also, the artistic expression of Indigenous culture has made an impact on me too seeing

representation in media today as time goes by making Indigenous people feel like they’re being

seen, and their stories being heard. These stories being told happen to have an impact on me too

hearing it as different storytelling while sharing their experiences. There was a sense of a

connection as I developed a sense of empathy by understanding more looking back and

remember it. I have many interests and many that I hope to explore as I gain more experience

and perspectives. Gaining Indigenous knowledge has help me see the world differently than the

Western perspective, allowing myself to think for myself and see the other perspectives. This

expression in cultures is beautiful seeing how diverse it can be and the English language could

not describe it limiting the freedom of expression. Graduating with a degree in Applied

Indigenous Studies makes me excited to use my education to give back to my community for the

younger generation.