elka medina's digital book
DESCRIPTION
Native Youth Pipeline Program of Pitzer and Western UniversityTRANSCRIPT
Elka’s Pitzer Native Pipeline to College Experience 2012
Table of Contents
About me………………………………………………………………………………..……Pg. 4 (About my tribe, my first journaling) Health Science /Thoughts on College…………………………………………………Pg. 4 (Western, Lab exercises, College research, essay) Native Culture/ Thoughts on College. …………………………………………………. Pg. 5 (Visiting speakers, native traditions) Health Career Choices………………………………………………………………....Pg. 6 & 7 Connections…………………………………………………………………………………Pg. 5 (New friends, mentors, speakers, schools) Why I am here………………………………………………………………………………Pg. 6 (Why I came, the impact the program had on me)
" I'm no t a f ra id t o s p eak u p , and a l o t o f o u r p e o p l e a r e s hy . They wan t ed s omeone t o s p eak u p f o r t h em, t o s p eak u p f o r t h em and do f o r t h em, and I t h ough t I wa s a good p e r s on f o r t h e j o b . ” -Mary Belardo
About Me Miyaxwen, my name is Elka Medina. I m a desert Cahuilla Indian and I
come from the Torres Martinez reservation in Thermal, California. I love baking and MMA. When it comes to these to things, if I am participating in something related to it I am completely engaged and focused. It’s hard to criticize me or distract me when it comes to these two things. They are things that I can honestly say that I’m good at and I have a passion for. I am constantly trying to
improve my performance. I watch TV shows, read books, and ask questions in order to be the best at what I love to do.
Health Science At the moment I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine. For now, I am going to school to study pediatric nursing and mental health. In the future, I hope to be a doctor involved in the same things and perhaps some sort of physical therapy. I have learned that sometimes, it is okay to be uncertain and everything will work out for the best in the end. See? Don’t I look like a pretty great doctor already?
Native Culture/Thoughts on College
For as long as I can remember, I always knew where I came from and because of that I am fortunate enough to say that I am a young Cahuilla woman residing on the original land of my peoples on the Torres Martinez reservation. I grew up with a sense of respect and caring nature for everyone around me and also a sense of right from wrong that I believe came from being with my family. Together, we practice the traditional ways of my tribe such as bird dancing that continues to keep the culture alive.
A big part of my life, that has lasted with me for the longest, since childhood, has been social justice and activism. As history shows it, mankind has not shown indigenous peoples a helping hand. Even today in the modern world, there are still lands of Native people being taken over and destroyed by the nation’s governing officials. I grew up with a family whose ideas revolved around the progression of Natives and as a result, I too have inherited that state of mind where it is a necessity to question everything, read through every document, be educated, and know your every right in order to not be left in the dust. My very distant goal that I plan to complete in my lifetime is to become a chairwoman for my tribe and create a voice for all Natives. The government and many other sorts of officials in the United States have done a really thorough job of making sure Natives are oppressed and unable to move forward. There are many people that are in positions of power within the Native community who are not doing their part to helping us grow. This frustrates me because I have a passion to aid my people and make them stronger and I know that if I do what I can to get educated, I can help us prosper. My life thus far has leaded me in many directions. Aside from my career paths, my ultimate goal is to do good by the many beings and occurrences on the Earth. Everything I do to contribute to wellness counts, and I don’t do what I believe is good to get a reward; I do it because it makes me feel whole to do the right thing. I want to do my part whether it seems significant or insignificant. I know I am ambitious and I can accomplish many things.
Health Career Choices The cadaver lab at Western confirmed my interests in the medical field. For a second I was questioning if nursing was where I belonged but now I know it’s not. I think I want to be a doctor. One of the med students pointed out my interest in the movement and muscles of the amputated leg and suggested physical therapy. I liked that idea; I can add it to the many other things I hope to study. Maybe it isn’t the end of the world if I have to specialize in something. Maybe it is possible that I can do more than one thing. And maybe one day I won’t be so afraid of choosing one thing, maybe when I start studying medicine I’ll find my place.
Connections I made a lot of new friends at this program and I was really glad to get to know everyone. The connection we all have together through our cultures is great and I hope we all continue to have pride in tribes and learn more about them. I hope we all keep in touch in the future and some sort of reunion and have more dances!! Fabian sucked at ninja. Manny kicked their booties. Ashley helped Manny and danced really well! So did Jane and Luna and Jared who always danced no matter where we were. And of course my lovey doves Amber and my roomie CRIIIIIISta.