Category: Author Biographies

I am an undergraduate at the University of Washington studying Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.  As a student in Indigenous Leaders and Activists, I am researching the life of Billy Frank, Jr. as a capstone assignment for the class.

My interest in this course stems from my hobby of building 18th century long-rifles, and time appropriate gear and clothing for early American mountain men and women. In an effort to diversify my knowledge, I selected the course, Indigenous Leaders and Activists, to gain some perspective of American Indians.  This course has helped my understanding of American Indians and other indigenous people and the struggles they face as their customs, and rights to their land and resources are constantly challenged. I have learned a great amount about past challenges of Indigenous people and current events that they continue to face. This course has expanded my knowledge and challenged my way of thinking.

My name is Usman Khan, and while I’m technically from India, I don’t know if I’m really from India, having (thankfully) never lived there. I have a mixed background, raised partially in Saudi Arabia and in the US. I might be what you call culturally confused, since I feel like I’m from everywhere and nowhere.

I plan on majoring either in physics or electrical engineering, since my interests are in advanced physics and new technologies. Beyond that, I am also a writer at heart, and want to one day publish both fiction and nonfiction. I will shamelessly admit to wanting to write fantasy, since that’s what I like to read the most.

I took this class because I wanted to learn about leadership and about history and culture that I was very ignorant about. The current events taught me that oppression of Native people isn’t just something from the history books, but is a very real problem today that unfortunately rarely gets discussed.

I play basketball and volleyball, work out, and read often.

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Washington. I am an education major, with a goal of becoming a high school or middle school teacher. I have a background in working with children. My father owned a childcare, and I am currently working as nanny. I have always loved working with kids, but not younger kids. This is when I decided that middle school or high school would be the best fit.

I first took an American Indian Studies class for the history credits. After taking this class, I realized that if I wan to be a teacher I need to know the history of the land I am teaching on. There is a lack of education in public schools around indigenous cultures. This is a part of our education system I would like to change.

I am an undergraduate student studying at the University of Washington – Seattle Foster School of Business. I am originally from Cupertino, California, but am enjoying my time in the bustling city of Seattle. My academic interests lie in accounting and finance, the two concentrations that I am focusing on. In the future, I hope and plan to work in the field of tax for a public accounting firm. 

This course, Indigenous Leaders and Activists, is my first history and diversity course taken at the university. During this quarter, I have learned a great deal about the issues and causes regarding indigenous groups that I were not previously exposed to. Each class has challenged my previous views and perspectives, and is definitely a refresher from learning how to do people’s taxes!

The leader our group members are focusing on is Neville Bonner, the first Yuggera Aboriginal Australian to enter the Australian Parliament. We hope to provide a thorough background on Bonner, giving readers an idea of his qualities and achievements.

In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, baking, and basking in whatever sun Seattle can get!

I am a first generation Chinese American who was born in Arizona. At a young age, I moved to Washington and have since fallen in love with the trees and rain. I got my high school diploma from Kentridge High School and also an Associates degree from Bellevue College. I am currently a first year undergraduate student at University of Washington studying in Business Administration. Hopefully in the future I will also pursue my MBA too.

In my spare time, I love to eat, travel, and try new things. I am an avid believer that money should be spent on good food rather than shopping. I love trying new restaurants with my friends but also love nature and exploring new landmarks and secret gems around Washington.

Being Chinese American, I have always been intrigued with Asian culture. Currently I am enrolled in Indigenous Leaders and Activists at University of Washington. This class has opened my mind to different cultures and the diversity present among all of us.

A Senior at the University of Washington with the intent of a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Classics and graduating in the Spring of 2018. Currently has a background in Fashion Business Management and Liberal Arts. A world traveler who has lived in Rome, New York, and visited various countries many times. End goals after graduation could be in the fields of Marketing, Public Relations, or Set Production from a Historical standpoint. Interested in all bouts of history including Westernized Europe, Ancient Greece and Rome, and also any issues dealing with Indigenous Rights and Feminism.

Whina Cooper is who inspired me for this project. A leader of the New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori People and not only is she an activist for Native Peoples and their rights she also a strong female leader that many can look upon for inspiration. A closer examination will explore the Maori peoples and their struggle, life of a strong female activist, and how historically this individual changed many lives and a culture itself.

 

I was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California and this year, I am a sophomore at the University of Washington. I am planning on double majoring in Psychology and Spanish and hope to work with children who suffer from communication disorders. I am passionate about working with and helping others and I love spending time with my friends and family, especially at the beach. Some of my hobbies include reading, traveling, playing water polo, and scuba diving.

I am currently in a class titled “Indigenous Leaders and Activists” where we study Indigenous leaders and activists throughout the world and over time. I have loved being a part of a class where we examine issues of sovereignty, power and identity throughout history.

I am an undergraduate,  second year student at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. I am pursuing the major of Medical Anthropology & Global Health which has a great focus on the study of American Indian studies.  With this major I intend to continue my academics by attending medical school and becoming a pediatric radiologist in the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

I have obtained a great interest in this topic, because although I am not a part of an indigenous tribe, learning about this culture and historic events have opened my mind into increasing my knowledge on how the land I live in has come to be what it is today. The course I am currently taking, “Indigenous Leaders & Activists” has given me the appropriate information to be able to do this.

As a lifetime resident of the city of Seattle, I am a first year student at the University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences. This quarter I am taking my first course in American Indian Studies, a class I have found quite a passion for. I enrolled in this course because I felt it was an important subject that I need to learn more about. So far I certainly have!

Unfortunately, I have very little accomplishments as I am only in my first quarter of college. My major is currently undecided, but my interests include fashion design and photography. I have a huge passion for clothes and I cannot wait to explore that area more during my college career. This winter I am enrolling at Seattle Central Community college, in order to take their Apparel Design Program.

I’m grateful to have the opportunity to conduct a guided research project in order to learn more about an important leader that would otherwise fall under my radar. This current event project is the most detailed research I have conducted on an Indigenous leader. Neville Bonner was an extremely important activist for his community and I hope to do his life justice with this project!