They say every journey gives birth to another. Sherry (Yupik Eskimo) has had the pleasure of seeing the fulfillment of her journey, culminating in graduating from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas magna cum laude (3.97 GPA) with a degree in Business Administration.

Sherry's journey has taken her a long way in terms of physical distance. She chose to attend college to progress in her career, venturing to Lawrence, Kansas from her home in Anchorage, Alaska, where she worked for a tribal consortium that managed the Native hospital. >>More

Thomasita Kinsel
Diné College

Diné College student Thomasita Kinsel was named the fall 2008 United Health Foundation scholar. In order to tackle the many health issues facing American Indians in Arizona, the American Indian College Fund and the United Health Foundation have created a scholarship program that focuses on assisting top-notch American Indian college students in Arizona. The students attend Diné College, Tohono O'odham Community College or mainstream institutions in the state of Arizona. These scholars, whose academic focus centers on health-related fields, will use their talents, skills and knowledge developed in college towards ameliorating health challenges in Indian Country. >>More

Tenai
Nursing and Health Innovations Major
Arizona State University

For many teenaged girls, the news of an unplanned pregnancy might derail their plans for college and a career. But for Tenai, an American Indian College Fund's United Health Scholarship winner, young motherhood only hardened her resolve to become a registered nurse. Tenai comes from a family who strongly supports education and has high expectations for all of their children. Tenai says her parents did not ask if she was going to attend college, but where she would attend and what she would study. After becoming a mother to her son, Izaiyah, Tenai's desire to succeed became even stronger. "I am no longer pursuing my goals for myself or my family, but for my son," she says.

Tenai's culture as a Navajo woman also plays a large role in her life goals. "My parents have always taught me to know first and foremost that I am a proud Navajo woman," she says. "I must protect myself and demonstrate respect for my people, the Diné. The Diné is a people who have survived the Long Walk and are a proud people. My people are a maternal clan where the woman is the essential piece of the family and a decision-maker. I have been taught that my role in the home is to keep my family together and promote peace. As a young mother, I know that it is my responsibility to raise my son with good health, love, and peace. As a nurse I plan to come back to my community to provide quality health care for my people and the children," she says.

Tenai is a freshman at Arizona State University, where she is studying nursing and health innovations full-time while raising her young son.