Student talks Native culture with East Coast schools

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Rocky Boy resident and Navajo Preparatory School student Watson Whitford participated in a youth cultural exchange hosted by Georgetown Day School junior Roshan Natarajan and the Princeton High School Philosophy Club in Princeton, New Jersey.

Philosophy Club founders and presidents Maya Lerman and Nivan Dhamija and their club advisor John Bathke invited Watson and fellow Navajo Prep student, Yiłnazbah Wauneka-Yellowhorse to join via Zoom and share their perspectives on the federal holiday that was signed into effect just days before. The event was well-attended by more than 40 Princeton High School students during their lunch hour Monday.

Watson,Yiłnazbah and their teacher Donna Fernandez opened the event with traditional introductions in Cree, Navajo, and Pomo, respectively, followed by Watson’s views on the effects of colonization of the Americas. Yiłnazbah then presented her stance on the impact of the nationally celebrated Columbus Day holiday on the indigenous people. Finally, the discussion was opened to Princeton High School students, who were curious about the biggest challenges facing Native American communities, the government’s role in restricting indigenous identity through blood quantum, and how students like themselves can fight against the ongoing effects of colonization.

Watson, Yiłnazbah and the students at Princeton High School said they would like to continue these conversations on a regular basis and are excited to expand the youth cultural exchange across the nation, focusing on Montana, New Mexico, Washington, D.C., California and New Jersey.

People can stay tuned for future events.