The following if the final part of a three-part series exploring Native American culture in northern Arizona.

In addition to the stresses many college students face — such as doing homework, getting good grades, and attending class — Ann Marie Salt, a junior exercise science major, said she also feels pressure from another source.

Aside from pursuing her degree, Salt works to promote her culture as Miss Indian NAU 2009. Each year, students compete for the title of Miss Indian NAU in the pageant competition and are judged on their contemporary and traditional talents.

As last year’s winner, Salt’s duties include participating in activities and programs to strengthen understanding of tribal nations and to serve as a role model to other students.

“I think preserving my culture is the main reason why I competed for the Miss Indian NAU title,” Salt said. “It was a way for me to constantly learn about my culture and be able to share it with other NAU students and the surrounding community.”

Although Salt said she values her title and the opportunities to promote her culture that come with it, Salt said she sometimes struggles to balance the traditions of her Navajo culture and some aspects of college life.

“I personally have felt the pressure to fit in,” Salt said. “In a majority of my classes, I am one of few Native Americans in my class. Sometimes it feels a little intimidating to be the only Native American in class because I grew up on the Navajo Nation and went to school up to high school there. In my hometown and previous schools, I was a part of the majority. But here it’s the complete opposite. I feel like every Native American student feels this pressure.”

Jamie Daisy Purdy, the program coordinator for NAU’s Native American Student Services (NASS), said she agrees with Salt’s opinion that Native American students have a difficult time preserving their culture in college. She said the distance from the reservations creates an inconvenience for some students trying to learn about their heritage.

“Native American students struggle to preserve their traditions and cultures on a daily basis while pursuing their education,” Purdy said. “Higher education is a mainstream institution, and as such, it operates on a calendar that reflects mainstream values and holidays that do not necessarily correspond with traditional tribal ceremonies and celebrations.”

Purdy said a lack of Native American role models is another reason some students may feel the need to conform to mainstream society. She said learning about their culture is one way Native American students can maintain their confidence.

“I believe that it is hard to know where you are going if you don’t first know who you are, which makes it important to know your culture and know your traditions,” Purdy said. “Culture is a strong foundation to draw from when you are experiencing difficulties and a good way to relate to something familiar when you are in an unfamiliar environment like school.”

Brianna Bennett, a sophomore education and special education major and the president of the Native American Business Organization (NABO), said she also finds it difficult as an involved college student to make time to maintain her culture and busy lifestyle.

“Overall, along with all the actions I have to perform as president, college student and employee, I travel back and forth daily to home, which is located roughly 45 miles out on Navajo reservation near Leupp, Arizona,” Bennett said. “I believe it is important for students to be involved with student organizations. Student involvement offers a variety of ways for you to become an active member of the university community.”

After Bennett graduates, she said she hopes to use her education to help teach children on the reservation.

“Doing the best I can to improve education out there, make learning fun and make each child succeed by reaching their highest potential and seeing a child smile will make my day,” Bennett said.

Bennett said she joined NABO after she heard about the organization from a mentor at NASS. According to Sharon Doctor, the assistant director of NASS, the department provides a holistic approach for academic advising in a culturally sensitive environment.

“Our philosophy as a department is to encourage Native American college students to maintain their cultural and tribal identity as best as they can, while also learning to live in mainstream society,” Doctor said.  “Part of our job is to help students balance both worlds.”

NAU has ranked in the top 10 universities for enrollment of Native American students. Purdy said she sees NAU’s aspiration to be a leading institution for Native Americans as an advantage for students who make an effort to practice their culture.

“NAU has included a commitment to Native American students as a component of their mission statement,” Purdy said. “In doing so, it becomes not only the students’ responsibility to preserve and promote their culture but the responsibility of the university as a whole.”

Part One: Native culture continues to suffer from past events
Part Two: Native culture works to maintain balance in evolving Flag economy