James Poitra
Electrical Program and Education Major
Leech Lake Tribal College

I am a 27-year-old Ojibwe man with a turbulent past. I have been incarcerated numerous times in my life. This has been a continuous cycle that took many hardships and lonely nights to overcome. I was recently released from Oak Part Heights, a Minnesota maximum security prison. While I was incarcerated, I had a lot of time on my hands to think about the direction my life was heading, and I promised myself that I was going to break this vicious cycle that had taken hold of my life.

Since my release from prison, I have enrolled at Leech Lake Tribal College and have taken great steps towards taking my life down a positive path. When I first stepped foot in this college, I had my mind set on the electrical program. I love this type of work and it doesn't take that long to get the certificate. Since enrolling in college, I have continued my growth in life by becoming more mature and professional. For example, I am a peer tutor in the Learning Center. I am involved with the Student Council. I have even filled in for my math teachers in their absence, not doing much except monitoring a test, but, in my eyes, it was still an accomplishment and honor. I have met with the Tribal Council and represented our student body to discuss reduced educational funding from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (yet another honor for myself). I have also met with the President of this college about important issues, and I continue to do these things as the weeks pass by. I take great honor in being involved like I have been.

My life has never presented the opportunities I now have, and it is a direct consequence of the changes I have made in my life. The college and its staff have helped awaken a pride in myself that is so refreshing and invigorating that it is beyond words. I now know that I am a strong and capable Ojibwe man.

The steps I have taken since I began my education at the Leech Lake tribal College have been life-changing. I have changed my goals to the point of wanting to continue my electrical program, but also wanting to eventually go for my Master's degree. Slowly over the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking about becoming a teacher. While these thoughts were brewing, my math teacher sought me out to monitor our math class in his absence, and I saw this as the push I needed to make up my mind. I spoke with my fiancé that night, and the next day I met with my academic advisor who was extremely supportive. While speaking to him, I came to the conclusion that I should begin taking approximately 21 credits per semester so that I can earn both my Electrical Certificate and my Associate's degree at the same time.

In the past, I lived a life of selfishness—taking from everyone, including my own people, but never giving anything back. Now that I am a tutor in the LLTC Learning Center, I have a perfect opportunity to help Native people, to serve as a positive role model, to increase my self-confidence and personal happiness, and to benefit the college and the community by promoting education. I now see the importance of holding myself to a high standard when it comes to grades and class attendance/participation, as well as demonstrating a good attitude and positive demeanor.

This is the biggest step I have ever taken in my life, and I am a little leery of the road ahead but it is only the fear of such a drastic change in life. My past, however, has built me for this task. I have the support of my family, friends, and staff here at Leech Lake Tribal College. I am ready and determined. I will accomplish what life has prepared me to do.

Shera is a first-generation college student. As a young woman in high school, she showed academic and civic promise, where she was involved in volleyball, track, and cheerleading. She was also involved with the Future Business Leaders of America and the national Honor Society. Outside of school, she volunteered at the summer youth camp at her church as a mentor.

Shera works part-time to help fund her schooling. Her goals are to complete her associate's degree and then enroll in the mortuary science program at the University of Minnesota . She would like to return to her reservation and serve her tribe as a mortician.

Dody
Navajo
Sophomore
Applied Computer Technology major
Navajo Technical College

Raised in the traditional way with nine in the family and many adopted brothers and sisters, Dody credits his mother for keeping his family growing together through her teachings and stories while she weaves.

He says it wasn't easy growing up traditionally, and he was badgered and bullied by others who were involved with gangs, drugs, and alcohol. After his father died when Dody was 13, he says he took a job at Taco Bell to help pay for bills and keep food on the table. After his high school graduation, he realized how important education was, and enrolled at Navajo Technical College.

Dody says his goal is to earn a master's degree in Applied Computer Technology and Animation with a minor in Information Technology. He would like to work as an animator, and dreams of being the first person to invent a computer that looks like a fish tank using nonconductive fluids.

In addition to his studies, Dody is active as a volunteer residential house-worker, where he does plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. He is also active with the Volleyball Club, Softball Club, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Computing Club, Skills USA, and he is an active member of the Student Senate. Dody's hard work and activism earned him the student of the year award for Navajo Technical College for 2007-08.