September 5, 2015

Re: Maka Monture

Letter of Recommendation
It is my honor to write a letter of recommendation for Ms. Maka Monture. I had the
pleasure of having Ms. Monture in five of my Applied Indigenous Studies classes at
Northern Arizona University over the past two years, where I have had the opportunity to
observe her many qualities as a student, person and natural leader
As a Tlingit and Mohawk woman, grounded in her culture and family, the value of
reciprocity is a genuine character trait that Ms. Monture demonstrated on a consistent
basis in both her personal and professional relationships. Instilled in her are the
importance of her family and relatives and the continuation of the Tlingit culture,
especially the emphasis on community, which is what has been the foundation of much of
her academic work in Applied Indigenous Studies. As an advocate of incorporating
traditional teachings to enhance the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples, Ms.
Monture believes that our Indigenous children are sacred, as they represent the future of
Native communities. Therefore, Ms. Monture values the importance of cultural
revitalization as an avenue towards earning an education, which is vital to the
sustainability of Indigenous peoples.
Within a college and department that values diversity and community involvement, Ms.
Montures passion and research epitomized a star student. Ms. Monture feels a sense of
responsibility to contribute to efforts that stem from intentions geared toward creating a
positive future for Indigenous peoples. It is these thoughts that encouraged her to channel
her energy and goals to earn a degree in Applied Indigenous Studies from Northern
Arizona University in May 2015. Ms. Monture demonstrated strong aspirations to earn
her degree and take the knowledge from her education into a career that acknowledges
the existence and relevance of Indigenous teachings, especially in the areas of cultural
revitalization, health, wellness and leadership.
I was fortunate to take Ms. Monture to the Western Social Sciences Association
Conference (WSSA) in Portland, Oregon this past April, 2015. As a department we take
only our Senior students who have excelled in both the classroom and community. Ms.
Monture was one of our top students and her presentation on combating suicide within
Alaska Native communities with cultural teachings through a Native Nation Building
approach was one of the best student presentations at the conference. In a paper she
wrote for one of my courses, Ms. Monture wrote, I strive to be a weapon for my people,
not forged to induce harm, but instead to represent determination in the face of adversity.
The forge in which I was created is built of my family and people, who raised me in a
unique combination of traditional and modern ways. I see Ms. Monture as a vibrant and
resilient weapon for her people. Her desire to instill cultural teachings and language
within Alaska Native youth in order to build strong people and communities is a value
Ms. Monture lives within her personal and professional life. Her important work

exemplifies that there is a potential in the cultures of Indigenous peoples to heal their
own communities through cultural education and leadership.
Ms. Monture possesses excellent listening skills, and excellent verbal and written
communication skills. She is confident in her independent working skills, yet values and
appreciates the benefits of teamwork and collaboration. There is no doubt that she will
demonstrate this with consistency throughout her work environments. I believe Ms.
Monture has the potential generate positive solutions for her people.
Without hesitation, I recommend Maka Monture for First Nations Futures Program. The
passion to use her culture, education and work experience to better her community and
Indigenous communities as a whole will shine through the eyes of the people she works
with. Thank you for your consideration of this outstanding woman and leader.

Sincerely,

Alisse Ali-Joseph, PhD

Northern Arizona University
Applied Indigenous Studies
Faculty Athletic Representative
Alisse.Ali-Joseph@nau.edu
928-523-6118