by: LEJEND YAZZIE DINÉ Major: Filmmaking Practices
Introspection in College especially regarding Indigenous peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized communities. With filmmaking I want to tell the stories that are not told. It’s important for Native people to have the ability to see others who look like them or who share the same experience as Self-reflective them. Even if non-Natives Checklist aren’t able to relate to the Does my major make me characters in my films, then happy? they are at least exposed Am I excited to go to class to experiences other than everyday or do I dread going? their own. Activism in the Do I see myself working longmainstream media is one term in this field of work? way to raise awareness in How does this impact my a creative way to convey community? an important message. I How will I use what I learn here want to explore themes to help other Native people? of Indigenous feminism, alternative effects of What are the benefits of changing it? colonialism, mental illness, decolonizing mindsets and Could my new major acquire more. me new and better job opportunities? Often, as an Indigenous student, I feel doubt about being here. During those Considering exploring times I have to remind myself that this is other majors? Give careful ancestral Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh consideration to all of your homelands, that there was a time not so options. Above are questions long ago that Native people were barred I asked when I considered changing my major. from entering higher education, that there is active genocidal acts on Indigenous people, and that still I continue to exist and resist. Upcoming Indigenous My existence despite mental health and filmmakers to look out for: social issues continues. I deserve my place + Taika Waititi here at ASU and I will continue to take every + Shaandiin Tome opportunity, like the film festival, school or + Sterlin Harjo + Michelle St. John articles, that I can to expand my knowledge.
For more on changing majors, visit:
webapp4.asu.edu/admissionresponse/confirmmajor
TRANSFORM SOCIETY
As a freshman, I came into ASU wanting to pursue Justice Studies. As I went through the program, however, I realized that I wanted to continue in Filmmaking instead, a decision made after careful deliberation and a lot of introspection. Before ASU I went to an art high school where I took every type of art class I could. Film was one of the classes that I thrived in. Coming into Justice Studies, I told myself that I was going to put film on the back burner and work on it when I could. However, I wasn’t prepared for how much time reading, writing essays and running to class everyday would take. During my first semester, I fell hard into my depression: I wasn’t motivated to go to class, I’d shelter myself in my room, do the bare minimum to maintain my GPA for my scholarship, and there were times where I didn’t see a reason for living. There were a lot of factors to my decline in mental health, but one of the core reasons was because I was missing the creative outlet that I got from film. It was when I got an internship with ASU’s Human Rights Film Festival during my second semester where I began to feel a lot more motivated to continue in school and life. As an intern, I was able to preview films, talk to filmmakers and distributors, and edit a trailer to promote the event. I worked on the Indigenous session, focusing on decolonization and strengths of Indigeneity, so I was also able to connect to my culture at the same time. The internship put everything into perspective for me. It made me realize how great of an opportunity I had at the university and that I need to work harder to stay alive and succeed in school so that I can help my people. It also brought clarity to my dilemma about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I want a career in filmmaking. I still have a passion for activism and social justice,
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