Growing up on ancestral lands next to Yosemite National Park, Irene Vasquez spent countless hours hiking, swimming, biking, and attending cultural ceremonies. Over the years, she’s seen the ecological deterioration of the land that she calls home. This deterioration pushed Vasquez to realize a dream: to help influence management of public lands with an Indigenous perspective.
The connection Vasquez feels to her ancestral land started at a young age. She grew up steeped in tradition as a member of the Southern Sierra Miwuk and Paiute Tribes. Working at the Yosemite Museum as a teen, Vasquez came to understand the healing nature of the land, and the benefits of working as a cultural demonstrator to highlight the history of Indigenous people in the area.
Throughout her life, Vasquez has been fortunate in having the support of her family. “They encouraged me to strive for great things to represent my family and tribe,” she says. “They always told me to study hard to get good grades, so I could go to college. My grandma would tell me she collected cans for my college fund.”
Vasquez applied herself in school. Her high school teachers saw how much she wanted to attend a university, and they made sure to provide the guidance she needed to get to the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC).
I experienced culture shock during my first year at UCSC in learning that most people were completely unaware of Indigenous people and cultures.
But as the first in her family to attend college, Vasquez struggled to find her place. “It was hard to know what to expect and difficult to navigate college classes and feel confident that I belonged,” she recalls. “I experienced culture shock during my first year at UCSC in learning that most people were completely unaware of Indigenous people and cultures.”
Determined to create a positive experience for herself, Vasquez quickly sought out other Indigenous students. She also spent her junior year abroad studying on New Zealand’s South Island. “I took a Maori cultural studies class and was able to see that Indigenous people share many cultural similarities and struggles,” says Vasquez. “I also learned about ecology and deepened my love for the environment.”
After Vasquez graduated she returned home, where she hoped to improve the management of her family’s ancestral lands. But she came to realize that she could accomplish her goals much faster with an advanced degree. After being out of school for seven years, however, she found the prospect of going back to the classroom daunting. “Returning to graduate school was much tougher. The entire admissions process — and taking the GRE — was stressful,” says Vasquez. “My family also faced some of the toughest challenges throughout this time with the health and addiction problems of my younger brother.” She powered through, and soon was pursuing a master’s degree in natural resource management at Humboldt State University.
Vasquez credits her brother with helping her see the importance of reciprocal caretaking relationships. “I believe our health and well-being are intimately tied to the environment,” she says. “Holistic restoration has the opportunity to improve social and ecological health.”
Now fully immersed in her graduate program, Vasquez is still working hard to overcome obstacles. “I don’t belong to a federally recognized tribe,” she says, “so some scholarships and work opportunities do not exist for me.” In addition to the financial hurdles Vasquez faces, her mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Vasquez refuses to let these obstacles stop her. Instead, she has made connections with resources and individuals who can help her accomplish her dreams. “I’ve always been actively involved on campus, especially with Native groups because that’s where I find community and friends,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to relate and share stories and passions.” AISES has been especially important to Vasquez, as she not only has received scholarships but has had the opportunity to attend conferences and connect with other like-minded people from across the country.
As Vasquez looks ahead to life after completing her master’s degree, her focus is still fixed on her community. “I want to help manage our public lands and agencies in restoring ceremonies and Indigenous land management practices for ecosystem and cultural resiliency,” she says. “My goal is to be Yosemite’s first Indigenous superintendent.”
In the meantime, Vasquez is thankful for her experiences, and credits her determination for seeing her through. “College is stressful and demanding,” she says, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dream big. “It’s important to think of the greater goal in going beyond school with your education.”
She’s adamant that the support of family and friends can make all the difference. “In your life you’ll meet amazing individuals who will become your greatest, lifelong friends — who will inspire you to meet your goals,” she says. For Vasquez, if you surround yourself with others who believe in you, there’ll be no limit to what you can accomplish.
