Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training

Program
http://nau.edu/CHHS/MHIRT/
Essay
Please provide one essay between 300-650 words, double-spaced, which addresses
the following questions:
a. Why are you interested in an international research opportunity?
b. What are your educational goals?
c. How do you feel that you further the goals of this program?

Ya'a'teeh, shi ei Tracey Lee yinishye'. Tanszahnii nishl, Tsnjkin

bashishchiin, Kin lichinii dashicheii, Tlziani dashinal. ktego din asdzn
nishl. In translation, my name is Tracey Lee, I am of the Tangle Clan, born for Honey
Comb Cliff Dwellers Clan, my maternal grandfather's clan is the Red Towering House
Clan and my paternal grandfather's clan is the Many-Goats clan. This is the proper
introduction of a Navajo woman.
I am very eager to participate in the Minority Health and Health Disparities
International Research Training Program (MHIRT) this coming summer, where I will
hopefully be conducting research for Indigenous populations with a health disparity.
I hope to provide a new perspective and energy to the research study team. I am
very interested in learning a new field of study, seeing as how I am more specialized
in law and criminal justice. However, I am very excited to apply the knowledge I
have received from the Applied Indigenous Studies degree and to help in any way
that I can to promote Indigenous Sovereignty, Self-determination and overall
advocate for the health of the people in all aspects of their life.
I am currently in my last year of studies for the Criminology/Criminal Justice and
Applied Indigenous Studies Bachelor Degree programs. With these degrees I wish to
apply my knowledge to Law School, after which I hope to practice as a Criminal
Defense Attorney for the Federal Jurisdiction of American Indian Tribes. I strongly
feel that my experiences of living on the reservation give me a boost in
understanding the critical social, political, legal, and cultural conditions of
Indigenous communities but I am eager for more exposure to other cultures. Being
a Native American student from the Navajo Tribe, I am truly fascinated with meeting
other Indigenous cultures. The MHIRT program will certainly allow me to learn about
a different culture as well as an opportunity to share my own culture.
Throughout my academics, I have been very interested in contemporary issues on
Native American reservations. As a student in the Applied Indigenous Studies
program, I have become passionate about Federal Indian Law, and the unique
relationship that Tribes have with the Federal government. In participating in the

MHIRT program, I hope to learn the conditions that the Indigenous people are in,
and what similarities and differences our people have, in terms of colonization, and
cultural assimilation.
In addition, I feel that the Research opportunity will provide me experience that I
cannot get anywhere else. The MHIRT program will help me to transform into the
leader I am pursuing to become, advocating for equality and fairness in the criminal
justice system with a well-rounded comprehension of environmental, health, law
and education of Indigenous peoples within the United States and Internationally.
Overall, I am very excited to come across this amazing opportunity,
because I believe it will get me closer to my academic goals, as well as improve my
leadership skills, my advocacy skills, and help me to practice professionalism in
government and law. I appreciate your consideration and hope to participate in the
Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Program for
this coming summer of 2016.