Roger Lupe III

Dr. Ali-Joseph

Autobiographical Essay

September 21, 2022

As a proud member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, I want to be a role model for

the younger generation of Apache. However, I also want to help my tribe and give back what I

learned from my secondary education. To be a great model, I must break barriers and show my

people that anything is possible and that with a strong and positive mindset, those barriers will

only be obstacles on the long road to our destiny. These goals and mindsets motivate me to

achieve my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice (CCJ) and Applied Indigenous Studies (AIS).

The journey I have taken is only beginning because I plan to go to graduate school for both CCJ

and AIS. However, I choose to receive my master's and a doctorate in AIS first because I want to

learn more about how I can help my people and all Indigenous people.

To be a positive role model for all Indigenous people is not my only goal. A few people

in my dad's family received a secondary education; the same goes for my mother's family, but

my other goal is to use my secondary education to make a difference in many people's lives,

especially Indigenous people. None of my family, besides one or two, are using their knowledge

to make a difference in other people's lives, and that is not what my people need now. My people

and tribe need individuals who know how to use their knowledge to help make a positive change

in our communities, and I plan on being that individual for my people. I guarantee that after me,

many other people will soon follow to make a difference as well. The college experience has

been unique, and I want others to experience it one day. However, I also want to help raise
awareness for Indigenous people because there are many things that western society does not

understand, or they have forgotten about us. However, we are all still here, and we are thriving.

Northern Arizona University is the place to be because it can better understand how I can

help all Indigenous people. At one point in my life, I was not sure what I wanted to do or what I

wanted my career to be, but I was sure about one thing, I love to help people. It makes me feel

good, and I love seeing other people find happiness, peace, and relieving stress. That is why I

wanted to become a teacher at one point, but I also wanted to do my part and show my

thankfulness for still being "American." I will always put Native first, but I want to show my

respect and show others that I am thankful for what I have and who I am. That is why I chose

Criminal Justice as my first choice of degree. Throughout my college journey, I met a fantastic

professor, Rebecca Maniglia, and because of her and her class, she opened my eyes to becoming

a probation officer. With a career as a probation officer, I can still help people and Indigenous

people as well. By having degrees in both CCJ and AIS, I can help Native people more because I

have a better understanding of where Indigenous are coming from, and I know what the struggles

can be from an Indigenous point of view. So, whether a teacher or probation officer, I want to

help people and, more importantly, Indigenous people. In both careers, I will be able to help

people with an Indigenous background or a non-Indigenous background.

Having an Applied Indigenous Studies degree under my belt will be very helpful. A

degree like this can help me apply for more different careers because many places support or

may try to help Indigenous people. However, I will have that understanding more because I

know to help Indigenous people more than people who do not have an AIS degree or background

with Indigenous people. AIS will open many doors, from counseling probation officers to tribal

politics. There are many things that this degree can apply to, especially if it is working with
Indigenous people. I am most excited about working with Indigenous people, helping them, and

seeing how I can make a difference in their lives.