As I begin my journey into the "blogosphere", which is somewhat daunting, I begin so with my head held high. Is that even possible on the net? I am not one to shy away from a challenge, and this stint in blogging for my Feature Writing class is just that.
Let me begin with a brief introduction of myself. My name is Jodi Voice I belong to the Oglala Lakota, Mvskoke Creek and Cherokee peoples, and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I am an "urban indian" not raised on the rez but no stranger to a struggle, hard times or harsh stories and "histories". I am a junior at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. I recieved my Associates in Social Work and am now in the Indigenous American Indian Studies program working on my Bachelors. I am very involved in many clubs and organizations here and tend to stay that way until I graduate.
I am involved with student and univeristy politics and am rapidly learning the ins-and-outs of politics in the "real" world. I am a student and teacher in this huge world and love learning. I am not afraid to speak my mind or voice my opinions, which can have its draw backs on this campus. I use the voice the creator bestowed upon me to speak for the timid, the tired and the weak. Being Indigenous is tough and I intend on striving to help the entire betterment of OUR people.
All I do is for my family and people. Every Haskell student has many jobs and roles in life. They must do for their family and people in the right way, in the ways they were taught how, while walking in the everyday world full of pollutants and toxins on every level possible. Students here are just that students in the world of academia, business, media, politics, and then instantly become teachers. I intend on using this new outlet to help my peers to gain support and the credit they deserve here at Haskell.
My world revolves around my stance on life in many shapes and forms. I attend school to become a better person for my family. I attend school to teach the world that we as the Indigenous inhabitants of this land are still here and able to thrive. The students here plan tons of activities, workshops, powwows, conferences, summits, social and media gatherings yet we are often seen as a not up to par university. Blogging outside the social networking sites is a right we all have and I am now stepping up to the plate and hopefully reaching someone that I do not have to "approve" their friend request to get them to take a look at the very complicated life of a Haskell Indian Nations Univeristy student. Until next time...
Onward in peace and solidarity