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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 13, 2025

Jackson, WY – Native American Jump Start (NAJS) is a Jackson, Wyoming based nonprofit whose mission is to provide opportunities for growth and success to high potential Native Americans through education and employment.
Native American Jump Start Educational Grants funded our winter grants through student grants. Through this program, twelve students were funded to support their studies in the spring semester of 2025. Students who received funding come from a wide group of colleges and universities and tribal affiliations.

2024 Winter NAJS Education Grant recipients are: Taylor Begay of the Diné Nation – Diné College, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, O’Shay Birdinground of the Apsaalooke (Crow) Tribe – Economics and Political Science at the University of Montana, Jacquelyn Cabarrubia of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians – Native American & Indigenous Studies certificate and B.A. in American Studies and Education Studies at Amherst College, Ella Hill of the Six Nations Seneca and a member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy – Business Management at Syracuse University, Mahpiya To Mesteth-Campos is a member of the Blackfeet and Lakota People – Augsburg University to study Biology, Sacheen Mike of the Diné Nation – Grand Canyon University to earn her EdD with an emphasis in behavioral health, London Poor Thunder- Red Cloud of Oglala Sioux Tribe – George Mason University- History and a minor in Indigenous studies, Amari Weston of the Yankton Sioux and Oglala Sioux People  Mount Marty University – Nursing, Raphael Youngchief of Northern Arapaho Tribe graduated from Central Wyoming College, earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management & Leadership.

Through partnership with the Chipeta Trading Company, we were able to fund five Chipeta scholars who are enrolled in undergraduate and master level programs. Each student will bring a unique perspective on their dreams of community outreach after graduating from their respective programs.

Chipeta Scholars are: Amanda Goldtooth of the Diné Nation – Northern Arizona University – Master’s in Psychological Sciences, Selena Gonzales of the Diné Nation – Fort Lewis College Criminology, with a minor in Native American & Indigenous Studies, Hannah Haslem of the Diné Nation – University of Nevada-Las Vegas – Interior Architecture and Design),Sierra Singer of the Diné Nation – Arizona State University – Sports Science & Performance Programming, Destiny Touchine of the Diné Nation – Duke University studying psychology and dance.

Native American Jump Start funded nine students who are attending the Wichozani program at the Indian University of North America that focuses on promoting cultural sensitivity, enhancing understanding of traditional healing practices, and addressing the unique health challenges faced by Indigenous communities. The Graduates of the program may find opportunities in healthcare, public health, community organizations, and government agencies focused on improving Indigenous health outcomes at the Indian University of North America through our partnership with the Crazy Horse Memorial. We have been inspired by these students who are learning traditional knowledge of healthy living and wellness.

IUNA Grant Recipients are: Diana DeLeon of the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Oglala Lakota College – Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology, Olivia Spencer of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (studying at Animal Behavior College), Kris Kosters of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (undecided), Landen Hoffman of the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Grand Canyon University – Nursing, Douglas Cross of the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Oglala Lakota College -General Studies , Jesslyn Estes of Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (recently graduated with degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Allied Health, Social Sciences, and Humanities at the University of South Dakota), Rachel Billiot-Bruleigh of the United Houma Nation (recently graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies: Cultural & Environmental Studies), and Harley Rough Surface of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe-Sitting Bull College for Human Services.

The final two grant recipients for the spring semester received funding through a partnership with Health Tech Academy to support studies and training in allied healthcare educational programs. These three students have the dreams of improving their local healthcare systems within their tribal communities.

HTA Grant Recipients are Jasmine Dolan of the Mescalero Apache Tribe (studying to become a Surgical Technologist) and Brittney Salazar of the Mescalero Apache Tribe (studying to become a Dental Assistant) .

We are thrilled to welcome our incoming winter grant recipients by highlighting their backgrounds and educational and employment achievements HERE.

For more information on Native American Jump Start, visit our website at https://www.nativeamericanjumpstart.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Wicahpi Yankton
Grants Coordinator
Native American Jump Start
wicahpi.yankton@nativeamericanjumpstart.org
(307) 200-9099