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Our
Students: Marissa
Nuvayestewa
On May 20, 2005, Marissa Nuvayestewa received a Master's degree in Social
Work with emphasis in Social and Economic Development within Native
American Communities from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Marissa, a Hopi/Tewa from the Village of Tewa and a member of the Corn
Clan, plans to come back "home" to the Hopi reservation where
she will use her knowledge to empower the Hopi community.
In pursuit of her degree, Marissa juggled a full academic schedule,
worked 35 hours a week in a work study program, served as co-chair for
the American Indian Student Association, and as a Buder Scholar coordinated
activities for the Kathryn M. Buder Center, all while raising two beautiful
daughters, Renae Mahkewa (12 yrs. old) and Maree Mahkewa (6 yrs. old).
A graduate of Hopi Jr./Sr. High School (1994) and an undergraduate of
Northern Arizona University (1998), Marissa plans to implement service
delivery programs that will effectively and efficiently increase the
benefits for all Hopi. She said that in order to build strong Hopi communities
her approach is to "emphasize the assets and strengths within the
community and cultivate a sense of empowerment for those who feel powerless,
ultimately promoting self-determination and building a stronger community."
As a graduate student at Washington University, Marissa was involved
in research regarding issues that are unique and relevant to the success
or lack thereof for American Indian graduate students. In fact, Marissa
helped coordinate the 2004 College Horizons Graduate Program last summer;
the program prepares Native students with the skills to apply to and
survive graduate school. Representatives from distinguished universities
all over the country were present to assist the students in the application
process and provide the foundation needed to increase their success
in graduate school. As a result, Marissa presented her research at the
National Council of Social Work Education Conference in New York City
in March 2005. She will also be participating the 2005 College Horizons
Graduate Program sponsored and hosted by the University of Columbia,
MO.
Currently, Marissa is working with the Cheyenne River Sioux (CRS) community
in South Dakota. She is implementing an example of a social and economic
developmental effort of a native cultural arts center, The Gathering.
This program will offer micro-enterprise services for the many artisans
that live on the CRS reservation. This social impact strategy encompasses
the development of a cultural arts center with workspace, distribution
center, and market development components that support the efforts of
local CRS artisans.
Marissa acknowledges the support of her family in Arizona especially
her parents, Leon Nuvayestewa, Sr., a tribal administrator and Evangeline
Nuvayestewa, an elementary educator. Marissa also carries the cultural
values and sense of identity instilled in her from her elders which
have played a major part in her success throughout her journey in attaining
a higher education.
To the HEEF donors, Marissa says, "Askwali (Thank you), for the
generous contribution towards my education, professional, and lifetime
endeavors."
"I am living proof that their (HEEF donors) contributions have
enabled me to pursue my professional career goals to positively contribute
to my future, my children's future, and to my community's future.
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