Indigenous Lifeways with Iyážo Hotubi Wiyá

Transcript

Meet Iyážo Hotubi Wiyá, a sophomore majoring in American Indian Studies and Aaniiih and Dakota Language. By embracing her Indigenous lifeways and language, she hopes to share her knowledge while continuing to deepen her connection to her culture. Please take it away.

– Alex. I first started college as a single mother who wasn’t truly connected to our Indian way of life. I thought I wanted to leave my hometown to further my education. Fast forward eight years, and I’m back home attending a Aaniiih Nakoda College as a first generation student. My ancestors guided me back home, and through our language I found a sense of belonging. As Indian people, we have experienced substandard education, which is deeply tied to our historical trauma. ANC is a tool to rectify hundreds of years of that, rebuild our communities and ensure a brighter future for our next generations by providing quality post-secondary education and a community rooted in cultural revitalization, ensuring individual and community development to succeed in American society while keeping our Aaniiih and Nakoda lifeways alive. I interned at the White Clay Immersion School, which teaches our Aaniiih language and values. That experience helped me build a foundation to revitalize our culture through teaching and being a voice for our children. Another really special program here is ecology. Through our Water & Buffalo Center, students get hands-on experience working on conservation efforts for the reservation. This is so important because we think of the buffalo similar to us. They were almost extinct, but they are still and so are we. ANC provided a healing space and journey for me. This is the only place in the world where I can learn my language, allowing me to reconnect with my ancestral identity. Our language is our identity, our way of thinking and living. It is not just a culture. I’m grateful for Aaniiih Nakoda College for being a vital source for our people. Back to you, Alex.

– Iyážo Hotubi Wiyá, thank you for being a shining example of resilience and strength. ANC has offered you a place to heal, to grow and build self-esteem, fostering a strong sense of cultural identity. Your journey is an inspiration. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Thanks again.