GIVING BACK

By: Shandiin Gorman

Tribal Affiliation: Navajo

Major(s): B.A. Journalism and B.A. American Indian Studies

College is a time for growth. Though academics are top priority, volunteering and community involvement are just as beneficial.

For Jared Massey, a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, giving back is an essential part of life. Giving back means not only recognizing where one is from, but also contributing to something greater as a respectful way to thank that community. Jared was raised in a small district on the Fort Apache Indian reservation, where the community is very close and traditional.

As he grew up, he realized, “It takes a community to raise a child.” That community is where he locates his success. There were many elders and relatives around him who offered support. Many of the values instilled in his life were the traditional customs he grew up with. One such value is taking care of people and the community as a teaching of reciprocity or giving back. He strives to use those values in everything he does. For example, when Jared determines the details of how to give back, he keeps his Indigenous community and people in mind.

It can be challenging for a person to give back to their tribal community because of the distance and/or a lost connection that can occur when a Native is separated from their family and community. There are ways to surmount these challenges.

Jared’s home community is 152 miles away from ASU’s Tempe campus. He finds ways to give back to his community by “being creative and taking the time to do so.” For example, Jared hosted a “Hoop Dancing with Purpose” event, which was a 24-hour blanket drive in exchange for his traditional dancing. One day, he set up a location where every time someone donated a blanket or money used to purchase blankets, he danced a traditional piece. In total, an estimated 170 blankets were collected and distributed to three nursing homes on his reservation.

At ASU, Jared takes part in the Tribal Nations Tour (TNT), Campus Ambassadors and Epsilon Sigma Rho Fraternity. With TNT, Jared traveled to dozens of tribes in Arizona and in neighboring states. He assisted with organizing a sports camp on his reservation. Jared shared that TNT changed his life because he was able to help other Native youth get motivated to attend college. Students can get involved with TNT. For more information, visit the Office of American Indian Initiatives americanindianaffairs.asu.edu/content/contact-tnt.

Jared also tries to help people internationally. He spends time at the Food Bank where he packages food for people in different countries.

Jared shares that the key on how to become involved is to find community organizations that share the same interests and values as you. However, those opportunities are not always going to come knocking on your door; they have to be sought after.

Becoming active in the community helps you to connect with people from all over the country, develop skills for life and recognize the positive experiences you are able to achieve while attending college.

A couple of off-campus volunteer organizations that are available for Native American college students include United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) and the Phoenix Indian Center. Students can visit their websites or offices for more information. UNITY: unityinc.org/. Phoenix Indian Center: phxindcenter.com/.

As Jared says, a group of people that stays, works and helps each other is a community. Once a person knows their place in their community, they’ll know their place outside of the community. There are countless opportunities for ASU Native American students to give back. Giving back, as Jared shows, shapes us into who we are today and who we will be tomorrow.