Tracey Lee

Northern Arizona University

Personal Statement
5 Dec 2015
For my People
Ya aah teeh, shi ei Tracey Lee yinishye.

doonee

Tanszahnii nish,

Tsnjkin bashishchiin, Kin ichinii dashicheii, Tlizi ani dashinal. ktego din asdzn
nish. In translation, my clans are the Tangle Clan, born for the Cliff Dwellers Clan, my
maternal grandfather's clan is the Red House Clan and my paternal grandfather's clan is the
Many-Goats clan. The first presentation of myself to the Navajo community and the Non-Indian
community is vital to establishing a strong voice. This is the proper introduction of a traditional
Navajo/Din woman. Education and Culture are a top priority for me and I have realized that
while attending Northern Arizona University (NAU). I am currently a senior at NAU pursuing
dual degrees in Applied Indigenous Studies (AIS) and Criminology/Criminal Justice (CCJ). In
the AIS program, I have developed a passion in learning the history of the Indigenous people of
North America.
Like many other AIS students, my ultimate objective is to contribute to the "Rebuilding" of the once thriving Native Nations. My people, the Din People once had a rich
culture, traditional values and a sovereign government. Due to the European conquest of Native
land, the Navajo are struggling to preserve their heritage. The most affected are the youth who
struggle to speak their language and participate in traditional ceremonies. It is my goal to inspire
the younger people to take pride in their culture. I do this by demonstrating that disciplined work
ethic and motivation can achieve whatever they set their mind to. To encourage our youth, we
must show our support early by getting them interested in higher education and instilling a sense
of pride in their culture.

I believe that an effective way to advocate for the Indigenous Peoples is to utilize the
education I have received from the AIS program in combination with Traditional knowledge
from my elders. In addition, the information I learned in CCJ program has shed light on United
States penal code of incapacitation and harsh punishment for dealing with criminals. Current
mindsets on punishment and justice in the United States do not work to better the community,
but rather to lock bad people up and put them out of sight, without trying to fix the problem.
Restorative Justice is an alternative concept that I plan to utilize in addressing the problem. This
type of Justice is what most American Indian communities use to deal with crime in which the
offender, victim, and supporters of each party are brought together to talk it out. This process
is used by the Navajo Nation in their Peacemaking Court.
Coupled with my experiences and perspectives of living on the reservation I definitely
have an advantage in understanding the critical social, political, legal, and cultural conditions of
the Navajo people. In contributing to my Tribe, I plan to obtain my Juris Doctorates degree to
practice law within the Navajo community in providing legal assistance, highlighting concepts of
rehabilitation and community healing. Overall, the passion I developed in the AIS program has
influenced my life in many ways. The history of Native people in the United States, has made me
more aware of who my ancestors were, and why it is so important that we the youth carry on our
traditions and culture.