Growing Up Native in Mandan, North Dakota

— Lily Giggee, Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Growing up, I never understood why my grandpa was going on and on about how the school doesn’t give us enough for how much money they receive from the government. That went right over my head.

After learning more about the history of my culture and everything that has happened, I started to understand what my grandpa was talking about. When he was growing up, he got everything from the school.

Now, at the ripe age of 18, I am starting to see just everything I have received and not received. As of right now, I am enrolled in the Monarch Project which is a program to help native kids.

I have received a laptop, and softball equipment from this program which I am grateful for. The program has also given me the opportunity to take a dual credit psychology course through United Tribes.

As I was applying to colleges, the University of Minnesota Morris caught my eye. The school offered me a tuition break for being native, which honestly was quite a relief because it cut my price down by $12,000 each year.

Morris used to be an old boarding school which is why they offer tuition breaks to Native American students. Their past is a little scary along with the campus having some of those old buildings around but it is still a great option for me.

Along with my tuition for college being waived, there are tons of scholarships I can apply for. The Bureau of Indian Affairs offers a scholarship for medical school that will pay for all four years if you

promise to work for them.

There are so many different opportunities for me that I never even realized were there. I am forever grateful for my parents, grandparents, and Jordan, my student success coach, for helping me find the opportunities and where to apply for them.

The only downside to all these opportunities opening up for me is what my ancestors had to go through to get to this place. Not to sound greedy or anything, but for what my people went through ages ago, it still is not enough.

Some of my relatives went to boarding schools and kids today barely know what actually went on. Native American history is interpreted by the winning side, not the losers.

This history should be taught more in school, to show both sides of the coin, not just the side that won. Growing up I never really heard a lot about “the losing side,” but it has gotten a lot better.

Ultimately, I am glad that I can try to make an impact any way I can with the opportunities that I am presented with.