http://www.audubon.org/news/the-surprising-gift-new-mexicos-pueblos-might-save-rio-grande
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While on the Southwest trip, we went on a River tour with a Native American guide. As we got into conversation, he explained political tensions in different parts of the country. He shared a story of his friend who was arrested for defending himself against a non-native on the reservation, able to be persecuted because of the backward way of reservation law and how incompatible it still is in politics these days. Natives who knew the man all came together to try to fight for his right to defend himself, eventually shortening his sentence. By further explaining the extent of this tension in different states, our guide asked us to start paying more attention to these situations and think about the ways we can help. The actions of the man's friends represent this pillar, and our guides continuation of the story and call for attention will continue the use of this pillar as injustices persist.
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For our Inquiry Based Question, our group chose to address the issue of high rates of Native American suicide, specifically in youth. In our research, we found that inter-generational trauma that causes mental issues like depression and anxiety. Other pushes stem from higher rates of drug and alcohol use, also attributed to the trauma and higher rates of poverty. To take action on this issue, we created a website collaboration with a Native American Suicide Awareness group to share information and make space for people to meet and connect experiences. Originally we were wanting to send care packages with pamphlets to different school districts on reservations, but we decided we needed to create a circle of people who can connect, not just paper. We were hoping our efforts would create a network off of which people can prevent self harm through people with knowledge and experience, while also helping those who have gone through the terrible experience of knowing someone who has taken their life.
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Palacios, Isabella.
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While on the Community school at To'Hajiilee, my group helped a first grade class write sentences using synonyms and antonyms. By reaching out to the kids in a learning environment, we took action to create better relations on both sides to help culture coincide and benefit from each other. While walking with the high school students, I had asked them if most of the teachers come from the reservation themselves. She told me that it's mostly the core subjects that have teachers come from the outside; unfortunately, she mentioned the teachers teaching these subjects have mostly given up because a lot of the students don't want to learn. Although I saw for myself a student in the first grade who was already advanced and eager, hearing this information was disheartening and made its own call to action. While we were already there to do service, there remains a reason to take action.
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