American Indian Studies

Native PhD Graduates Gift Their Stories

Mark L. M. Blair, Mary Jo Tippeconnic Fox, Kestrel A. Smith

• Publisher: University of Arizona Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9780816544370
• eBook ISBN: 9780816545285
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Higher Education
• Index: Social Sciences

In American Indian Studies, Native PhD graduates share their personal stories about their educational experiences and how doctoral education has shaped their identities, lives, relationships, and careers.

This collection of personal narratives from Native graduates of the University of Arizona's American Indian Studies (AIS) doctoral program, the first such program of its kind, gifts stories of endurance and resiliency, hardship and struggle, and accomplishment and success. It provides insight into the diverse and dynamic experiences of Native graduate students. The narratives address family and kinship, mentorship, and service and giving back. Essayists share the benefits of having an AIS program at a mainstream academic institution—not just for the students enrolled but also for their communities.

This book offers Native students aspiring to a PhD a realistic picture of what it takes. While each student has their own path to walk, these stories provide the gift of encouragement and serve to empower Native students to reach their educational goals, whether it be in an AIS program or other fields of study.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1. Nan Ikhvnanchi, Nan Ikhvnanchi, Keyu Hokma Pi Illachi (Educate, Educate, or We Perish)
• 2. T’áá shí ànísht’éego t’éiyá ádoolnííł
• 3. “Bidiishkaal”: Putting Forth Effort
• 4. Who’s Watching the Boy? Creator’s Watching Him
• 5. Warrior
• 6. Transfer of Knowledge
• 7. “Keep Pluggin’”: New Generations Need Strong Shoulders to Stand On
• 8. No Madness for a Nomad
• 9. THINKING BIG: “The Goddamn White Man Took Everything, but He Can’t Take Away Your Education”
• Conclusion
• Contributors
• Index