Scholar Profile Gates Millennium Scholar Profile
Steven E. Yazzie (Navajo-Hopi)
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teven E. Yazzie (Navajo-Hopi) began his undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University (NAU) majoring in Environmental Technology Management. Steven overcame many obstacles in his pursuit of higher education including a long stint in the unemployment line after moving to a remote area of the Navajo Reservation to care for his grandmother. With few prospects for making a living, he eventually turned to an ancient craft that was taught him by his grandfather, i.e., the art of carving Kachinas. However, this proved to be an economically infeasible occupation, and Steven opted to explore other opportunities. He was determined not to become just another dismal “statistic” among a litany of ailments and adversities experienced by many Native Americans. Steven is convinced that one of the most effective ways of overcoming institutional and socio-economic barriers facing Indian people is to set an example of academic and workplace success. Thus, he set out to prove to himself and others that success in the non-Indian scheme of things can be achieved with hard work, dedication, and support from family and mentors. Two people who played a major role in Steven’s life are his mother, Grace Pooley, and Phillip Huebner, Director of the American Indian Program at Arizona State University (ASU). He enrolled at ASU in the spring semester of 1999. Steven has achieved a number of milestones, accomplishments, and awards including the following: • President of the One Nation Club at ASU’s east campus • ASU East Student Leaders • Arizona State University Advocates • Student Housing Task Force (a program of the United Native Development Corporation) • Navajo Tribal Scholarship (1986) • Distinguished service in the United States Navy • FAA’s Certificate of Training “Ruby Award” in aviation education • Fort McDowell Wassaja Scholarship recipient, and • Barrett Honors College, ASU East Campus. In the fall semester of 2000 Steven was selected to receive a Gates Millennium Sholarship. He states that the scholarship, “…afforded me the opportunity to meet and interact with other Gates’ scholars, who are committed to their communities and work to contribute to those com-
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The American Indian Graduate
munities. And, as a result of the financial security of the award, it gave me the confidence to leave my position in Steven Yazzie aviation and pursue my education and extracurricular activities with full conviction.” Most recently, Steven has developed an interest in pursuing studies toward a degree in law after completion of his undergraduate studies. His vision for himself includes the opportunity to address the protection of tribal natural resources, promotion of Native American human rights, and accountability of the United States government to Native peoples. Steven says, “My education will help achieve a position where I can contribute to environmental issues, economic development, and development of Indian law.” ✦
Into the Four Directions Continued from page 16
workshops, and you can seek the support of tribal elders and government leaders. If you are a college student or graduate you can help by providing advice to younger people or by volunteering as discussion leaders in community outreach workshops.
Return on Investment Ultimately, we are talking about the betterment of Indian communities through the education of our future leaders. This will be manifested in many ways. One way is through the measurable outcomes of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. We have preliminary data but the first year’s outcome is only a start. Another way is to monitor the results of AIGC’s outreach program and its effect on influencing the development of summer bridge programs, enrichment programs, and other student support services, especially in areas where they do not presently exist. And, like the runners from our past, we will continue to gather and disseminate information from the four directions for the benefit of our people. ✦