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Indigenous college students face many obstacles in higher education, including overwhelming costs and not feeling culturally connected on campus.
But those behind a Wisconsin project say another barrier is not having support in seeking financial aid.
Mike Moen reports.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Student Success Through Applied Research – or S-STAR Lab – is using a $500,000 foundational grant to create a “one-stop-shop” for Indigenous students to find scholarship programs and other forms of financial relief specifically geared to them.
Project co-leader Gresham Collom says the searchable database seeks to create more awareness that slipped by him when he was a college student.
“I’m a first descendent member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Tribe, which means I’m not a formally enrolled member and a lot of these scholarship policies are based on formal enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. ”
But he later found out when his sister was enrolling that there were a handful of schools in the US with free tuition programs for first descendent Natives.
Collom says as more states add scholarship and grant initiatives, these individuals need up-to-date information.
Collom hopes the effort compels more higher education institutions to expand opportunities and update policies, which he adds can go beyond traditional financial aid.
“A lot of Indigenous students come from low-income areas where they have Pell Grant funding and what I would like to see is a lot of these programs expand their offerings to cover costs like childcare, health care, basic cost of living.”
He says those “wrap around” issues often get in the way of Indigenous students advancing their college careers.
Collom predicts the database will not only be web-friendly, but mobile-friendly too, knowing that many Native students come from tribal areas with limited access to high-speed internet.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
The Barbie doll has been getting much attention with the release last month of the Barbie movie.
In Alaska, mother Angela Gonzalez and daughter Ermelina of Anchorage, posted their doll titled, “Fish Camp Barbie” on social media, which features an Athabascan Barbie doll dressed in traditional clothing.
It’s gained thousands of views.
KNOM’s Ava White reports.
The iconic slogan of Barbie, “you can be anything,” is brought to life in a culturally rich way.
In this scene, a Barbie doll proudly wears a vibrant hot pink kuspuk, complemented by a beaded necklace, stylish moosehide cuffs, and headband.
Positioned on a nearby table is a fish made from salmon skin, aligned with beadwork.
Barbie is holding an Ulu, ready to skillfully prepare the fish.
All clothing was handmade by Ermelina Gonzalez.
Angela Gonzalez’ family’s fish camp was located along the Koyukuk River, where her family frequented when she was a young girl.
She has played with Barbies since she was a little kid and says her grandmother used to make accessories for her dolls.
“All the dolls would have their little ulus, and we would have a little fish camp scene with fish racks and leaves. Leaves from willows would be our little fish.”
Angela Gonzalez explains the importance of sharing culture towards younger generations and why it’s important for Alaska Native children to feel equally represented.
“I think that it’s just good that they will be able to see themselves represented, even though it’s not for the mass market or anything like that. They can be inspired to create what they want to create, you know, if they have a different way of life, maybe they can make a fishnet or a dip net, you know, just something that that can inspire them to be able to feel like they have permission to customize something that will represent themselves.”
Barbie has a reputation for embracing numerous roles, ranging from a CEO to a gymnast, a construction worker, and now, a skilled fisherwoman at a subsistence camp.
Through the innovative creation of their own Barbie scenes, Angela and Ermelina Gonzalez have succeeded in fashioning a compelling narrative focused on culture.
Their efforts serve as an inspiring testament for young girls across various Alaska Native cultures, conveying the powerful message that they too can embody the spirit of Barbie in their unique ways.
Ermelina Gonzalez is an intern at KNBA, Koahnic’s flagship station in Anchorage.
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