As a member of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, I, Anjeliq Pinn, grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, which also happens to be my tribal land. Despite being raised on my ancestral territory, I felt disconnected from my Indigenous roots due to growing up in an urban area. Throughout my childhood, I was a straight-A student who prioritized education over cultural knowledge and customs, strongly believing that the latter held no purpose in bringing me money or power – the two things I thought society valued most at the time. 

However, my perspective shifted when I got accepted into UCLA and attended the American Indian Freshman Admit Weekend. Meeting so many amazing Indigenous students empowered me, and through my Indigenous friends, I learned the importance and power of having cultural knowledge and how it creates a sense of community and belonging. I began to realize the significance of connecting with my Indigenous roots and understanding the traditions that have been passed down through generations. This realization led me to actively seek opportunities to learn more about my culture and history, ultimately fostering a deeper sense of identity and belonging within me. I brought this newfound understanding back to my family, teaching them that there is so much more to life than just money and power.  

Being a part of the American Indian Student Association (AISA) has taught me what it means to be an Indigenous leader and an Indigenous student in higher education. I have been able to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences and values, and this sense of community has been invaluable to my personal growth and development as an Indigenous person navigating higher education. I learned that my cultural knowledge and beliefs can intertwine with my education, and they don’t have to be two separate parts of my life.  

Coming to UCLA has inspired me to take time and value my culture just as much as I value my education. I have also learned how to Indigenize my educational experience through exploring things like Indigenous research methods or how certain classes make me feel as an Indigenous student. I am grateful that AISA provides a space for me to embrace my culture and identity in my academic journey. This experience has allowed me to feel more connected to my identity and empowered in my academic pursuits. UCLA’s Native Bruin community has provided me with a supportive environment where I can fully embrace both my cultural heritage and educational goals without compromising either aspect of my identity.