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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2003

"I am a 21-year-old Navajo from Ganado, Ariz. I am born into the Edge Water People, and born for the Big Water People. My maternal grandfather is New Mexican (a Castilian Spaniard), and my paternal grandfather is of the Black Streaked Wood People.

Born in Gallup, I live a mere 100 miles from Navajoland yet my life at the University of New Mexico is so much different. In the state's largest city, I have to balance my values as a humble Navajo and a progressive student majoring in Political Science. On the rez, you're taught to be humble - not to speak until spoken to.

Attending UNM is challenging, because I have to balance my time at school, studying, and of course, money - I fall into the herd of college students that don't receive much financial aid and don't parents who can help pay expenses.

However, I remind myself that I must succeed, because I have goals that will help my community and country. In the future, I want to seek a career in law and politics. Within the next two years, I hope to apply to the Columbia School of Law in New York City. In my lifetime, I hope to be a U.S. Ambassador to Colombia.

Within five years, I will be trilingual in English, Navajo and Spanish. I want to work in Colombia because their issues are very similar to my own tribe. Our tribe is a third-world mess, minus the kidnappings and harsh military rule. I also wish to become a Navajo Nation Council Delegate, because I understand my people, and my heart is close to the issues that affect my people."

Get the Story:
Sherrick Scott Roanhorse: 'I Must Succeed, For My Community' (The Santa Fe New Mexican 2/16)