Please join us for a Native Youth Round Table

Life Transitions and Higher Education:

Providing Youth with Pathways to Success in the Higher Education System

Thursday, November 10



3-5 ET / 2-4 CT / 1-3 MT / 12-2 PT / 11-1 AKT

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the National AI/AN Childhood Trauma TSA Center (Category II), the National AI/AN MHTTC School Mental Health Program, the Leadership Academy, and the Tribal College and University Initiative will host a Native Youth Round Table on the topic of life transitions and Native youth in higher education.  Our Native Youth panelists will explore a youth perspective on the transition to college as well as how to seek out resources and develop the resilience to complete a degree and graduate. They will also discuss what they believe colleges could do to support other Native youth to succeed. We look forward to listening and learning from the Native youth to help guide us in our future work. Please join us in learning from our future leaders! 

Meet the Panelists

Dorsey Dick (Navajo)

Yá’áh’tééh/Miqué (Hello) Navajo/Ute 

My name is Dorsey Francis John Dick. I am Redhouse Clan born for Bitter Water clan, my maternal grandfather’s clan is Zuni Water Edge and my paternal grandfather's clan is Salt clan. I am a student of Fort Lewis studying Environmental Studies. I work at the Ute Mountain Ute tribe as a Biologist Intern and Hibbett Sports as a sales associate. Even though I have two jobs that I put myself through, I still find time to be a leader in my community through speaking or being a cultural leader to people younger than me. I am Navajo and raised on the Ute Mountain Reservation; this has allowed me to see many things from a different perspective growing up with different adversities. A goal or passion that I have is to be able to show the younger generation that anything is possible that can be done, that your culture or orientation should never excuse you from monumental opportunities.

Ahééhéé/Towaoc (Thank You) Navajo/Ute

Keely Driscoll (Meskwaki)

Keely Driscoll, Ttakimawegea is Meskwaki with ties to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska from Tama, Iowa. Keely received her BA in International Studies and certificates in Sustainability and Native American and Indigenous Studies from the University of Iowa. She is currently a first year JD candidate at the Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law. Keely also currently serves as a fellow for the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project. She attributes her success as a student to her support systems and mentor-mentee relationships. 

Isabella Fridia (Wichita, Kiowa, Caddo, Hunka Lakota)

My name is Isabella Fridia or Hanhe Wi Iyoyanpa Win (Bright Shining Moon Woman). I am Wichita (Waco band), Kiowa, Caddo, and Hunka Lakota. I was raised with a strong foundation of traditional and cultural teachings. I currently attend the University of Denver, majoring in Physiology in Health and Disease as a freshman. At DU I am a Gymnastics Team manager and a part of the Native Student Alliance, where I hold the position of Cohort Representative. I am also the 2021-2023 Wichita tribal princess.

Hozshona Morningstar Post (Kiowa)

Kee-own-day-daw! Day-own-day-baht-tsan! Hozshona Post a-Kahn. My name is Hozshona Post. My Kiowa name is Sayhn-Peehn-Daw-Gyah-Maw ("Peyote Song Woman"). I am a prou d member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. A recent sophomore transfer student at the University of Oklahoma, and I am double majoring in Computer Science and Native American Studies. I am currently a GEN fellow (GEN stands for Genomics and Ethics Program for Native Students). I am also a teacher candidate for the Kiowa Tribe Language and Culture Revitalization Program and I'm hoping to become credentialed to teach our language to everyone who is willing to learn in order to carry on the values of my people. I was raised in a big household that has strong ties to the Kiowa community, our language, songs, dances, and Kiowa ways. I strive to help my Native community as much as I can in order for future generations to prosper. Ah-ho Day-baht-haw!

For more information, contact:

Teresa Brewington, MBA, MEdL

Coharie (enrolled), Lumbee (descendent)

Co-Director, National AI/AN Mental Health TTC, K-12 Program

Co-Director, National AI/AN Childhood Trauma TSA Center, Category II

Elizabeth Saathoff, MPH, CHES

Program Coordinator, National AI/AN Childhood Trauma TSA Center, Category II

Monica Dreyer Rossi, Cand. Polit

Research Manager, Leadership Academy

Research Manager, The Tribal College and University Initiative