Growing up in a multi-generational household on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Mont., Ispitaki Chelle Brown set her heart on a career in health care. She was inspired by her great-grandmother, who was a nurse, and her great-grandfather, who passed along her legacy. “I was born to serve my people,” Brown says. “Serving others in my community keeps me tied to my culture.” 

A relationship in which an experienced person — a mentor — counsels and supports a less experienced person — a mentee — to help them develop professionally and personally is known as mentorship. While the practice is beneficial for all involved, research shows that Indigenous students and professionals who have a mentor typically experience increased perseverance and success. Here’s a breakdown of what contributes to a positive mentor–mentee relationship.
 
Know Yourself