Roots
I come from a family of selfless Emergency Medical Technicians, tireless Union Pacific Railroad Track Laborers, brave Wildland Firefighters, and detail-oriented Jewelers and Artists from the Pueblo of Zuni. Although my professional life steers away from my family’s, I learned early on the value of balancing hard, quality work with an open, loving heart, and an optimistic attitude.
Each day, as I greet Yadokkya Datchu (father sun), I thank my ancestors; the leaders, artists, warriors, farmers, healers, and caretakers for their sacrifices, guidance, protection and the opportunity to live the life of a little rez girl’s dreams.
Germination
That’s right, my dream as a 90’s baby was to become a secretary (outdated term)! I remember turning my cousin’s bedroom into a makeshift office, furnished with a desk (dresser) right next to an open window, fancy gold-coated pens (plastic Bic pens IRL), notepads, real phone books, a real cell phone, and my long, stick-on fingernails tapping away on a non-electronic Battleship game board as my laptop.
This dream started to become a reality in my high school elective classes; front office assistant, library assistant, and broadcasting class teacher’s assistant. Then, the summer before my senior year, I was selected by the Zuni Education and Career Development Center as an office assistant for the school’s head custodian - earning my first set of paychecks doing what I love!
Growth
Full transparency: I barely graduated high school. Then, wanting to be the first in my immediate family to take my education beyond high school, I pursued a college certificate in secretary skills. Almost each semester thereafter I changed my major to pre-business administration, design and digital media, and finally, pre-exercise science. Even though I don’t hold a degree in any of those concentrations, my college experience allowed this rez girl to occupy space in places I didn’t expect.
Introverted Rez Girl Occupying Space:
Radio Announcements & Campus News Broadcasting Anchor/Producer (2008)
Student Senate Senator (2009-10)
Chase Crew Volunteer, Red Rock Balloon Rally (2012, ‘14, ‘16)
Team Member, Bowl for Kids’ Sake – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern NM (2013)
Student Senate Election Commissioner (2013)
Summit and Conference Volunteer (2013-2016)
Coordinator, 1st Annual Native American Career Fair (2014)
Student Club Advisor, American Indian Business Association (2015-2016)
Pre-Registration Coordinator, Substance Abuse Awareness Conference (2015)
Member – Campus Facility Usage Committee (2015-2018)
Team Member, Relay for Life – American Cancer Society (2016)
Conference Attendee, Reservation Economic Summit (2016)
Assistant Membership Drive Coordinator, Dineh Chamber of Commerce (2016)
Usher & Crowd Control Manager, Gathering of Nations Pow Wow (2016 & 2017)
Coordinator/Presenter/Instructor Women’s Self-defense Workshop (2017)
Blooming
Aside from my pursuit for higher education, I also kept working to support myself and my family. In 2009, I started as an Instructional Television (old-school Zoom) Facilitator/Instructional Assistant for the UNM Gallup Extended Learning department then was promoted to Administrative Assistant I for the same department in 2014. In 2015, I interviewed for and was offered the Admin II position for the UNM Gallup Public Relations department. Heavy-hearted to leave my first work fam, I took the position and allowed my talents to blossom with a creative and compassionate, yet, heavy-hitting PR Team of three!
Turning a New Leaf
In 2018, the UNM Gallup Campus underwent a huge layoff which resulted in my two-month unemployment and the move from my homelands to Tewa Territory, commonly known as Albuquerque, NM, to fill the Administrative Assistant II position at the UNM Health Sciences Center. This transition was a whirlwind of change that I felt coming during my 15-minute morning walks before the layoff was announced to me.
Branching Out
Early into this new position, I was encouraged to pursue professional development and was approved to attend the Native Women Lead’s first annual Native Women’s Business Summit. Day two of the Summit, I went against my introverted habit of finding an empty table in the back, and took my seat next to a kind stranger who had genuine interest in my purpose for attending the summit. This kind stranger asked all the right WHY and WHAT the fuck questions during her presentation at the Summit. Three-ish years later, she is no longer a stranger and has lovingly welcomed me to be a part of her growing Mariposa Team! Yes, yes, y’all - I’m talking about Annie MF Sanchez!
Gratitude
My journey has not been without its trials, heart-breaking loss, and racial bias, however, I am honored to represent indigineous women in my profession because the strength, knowledge, and resourcefulness of our ancestors runs through my veins. I take great pride in the quality of my deliverables and I am grateful for the answered prayers, for the joy in what I do, and the kindness of the people who choose to allow me into their circle.
I hope that my experiences inspire my nieces, nephews, young cousins, and many generations to come.