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Celine Boyer-Denis
OJIBWAY FROM MISSISSAUGA FIRST NATION
Queen’s University
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPYI grew up in Ontario, Canada, on Mississauga First Nation, a small reserve next to a little town called Blind River. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to go into the health care field, but I wasn’t sure what would be the best fit for me. I did know I wanted to help people, and to hopefully return to my community later on.
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Alexandera Houchin / Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe / University of Minnesota Duluth / Chemistry and American Indian Studies
I distinctly remember growing up without ever seeing a Native dentist, doctor, or athlete. As a result, I never pictured myself growing into one of those roles. But somewhere along the way, I realized that I could do it. Now, in my senior year at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), I’m working on a dual degree in chemistry and American Indian studies — on my way to becoming the person I never saw: a Native American dentist.
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Manuelito Chief / Navajo / University of Arizona / Electrical Engineering
Growing up on the Navajo Nation, it’s common to know someone without access to electricity. For me, this includes my great-grandmother, who lives in Black Mesa, Arizona. I grew up in Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation. So as a child, I would often wonder why we had electricity and she didn’t. These types of questions led me to experiment with small circuits and electronics. From then on, I’ve had an interest in electronics and learning how things work — and finding their application to real-world problems.
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Michael Gilpin / SANTEE DAKOTA SIOUX AND FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI / University of Wisconsin–Madison / INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
My dad always told me that education is the key to getting where I wanted to go. My mom was the same way — she told me to study hard. And I listened. We were always a very close, very tight-knit family. I grew up on the Forest County Potawatomi (FCP) Reservation in northern Wisconsin. My dad, who’s Forest County Potawatomi, moved there in 2004 for a job with the FCP. Forest County is a beautiful rural area, with tall green trees and the nearest big town an hour away.
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Celine Boyer-Denis / Ojibway From Mississauga First Nation / Queen’s University / Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
I grew up in Ontario, Canada, on Mississauga First Nation, a small reserve next to a little town called Blind River. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to go into the health care field, but I wasn’t sure what would be the best fit for me. I did know I wanted to help people, and to hopefully return to my community later on.
