The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008 - (Page 18)

F o c u s o n t h e F u t u r e , r e s p e c t t h e pa s t FACES OF VIEJAS Education for All Viejas Provides Opportunities for the Future In addition, Viejas also provides substantial financial support to area public schools. The Viejas Education Committee is actively involved in creating and supporting cultural and academic educational opportunities for native and non-native students alike. Viejas believes it is critical for their tribal members to have easy access to scholarship funds. Barrett remembers when he was younger; it wasn’t so easy for the Viejas tribal youth to go to school. “We had the opportunities to go to college, but you had to apply for Indian grants and go through outside sources,” said Barrett. “Today a lot of our people are taking advantage of the new opportunities. Members, young and old, are going back to school for their advanced degrees.” When Vanessa-Arleen Santana Welch, 21, was growing up, her parents encouraged her to work hard in school and get good grades. She always knew she was headed for college someday, with or without tribal assistance. “My parents believe strongly in education and they always made sure I understood that they would not tolerate C’s and D’s in school,” said Welch, a senior at Michigan State University. Currently, she is studying photography and ceramics. When she graduates, Welch hopes to travel before getting a full-time job. She is considering a career in criminal justice, perhaps as a crime scene photographer. “I’ve always Vanessa Welch been into art. When I was a kid, I was always drawing or making things. My dad was good at art, too. He would draw and I used to watch him make bows and arrows. He really encouraged my artwork,” said Welch, who spent most of her life living on the Viejas and Barona reservations. Welch strongly believes that education is critical for Native American young people, especially in today’s world. Old Viejas Schoolhouse 18 en years ago at Viejas, high school graduation levels for native students were abysmal, but Viejas has seen a huge turnaround in a few short years. Today, thanks to tribal support and involvement, high school graduation rates have reached 100 percent among Viejas’ young people, and more tribal members are pursuing an education than any other time in Viejas history. Today, Viejas’ young people are pursing law, education, journalism, music and art. They are learning new trades, earning degrees in higher education, and pursuing their dreams. Thanks to tribal government gaming revenues, every tribal member— young and old—is provided with scholarships, including room and board, to allow them to attend any school they can get into— from preschool through vocational school or college, and onto the post-doctorate level. This opportunity is allowing Viejas tribal members to stretch their imaginations and pursue their aspirations. “We believe in the importance of an education—no matter what kind,” said Alan L. Barrett, Tribal Councilman. T The Kumeyaay Way  www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org http://www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008

The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008 Contents Kumeyaay History Looking Back at the River of Tears Keeping the Borders Open for All Kumeyaay Tribal Security—Safety First Cultural Embrace Viejas Tribal Member Rescues Eagle Education for All Future in Their Hands Viejas Pow Wow Honors Native American Veterans Growing Traditions—Viejas Community Garden Remember When

The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008

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