Dowawisnima Groves, Northern Ute and Hopi, is a sixteen-year-old high school sophomore, artist, and dancer from Utah County. Growing up away from her tribal communities, Dowawisnima experiences first-hand the challenges of remaining connected to culture.

Walking Between Two Worlds

Nebo School District has approximately 35,457 students enrolled in schools and academic programs. There are approximately 40 tribes represented in the families within the Nebo School District and Native students make up 1% of the district’s student population, with many families relocating from tribal communities for education and job opportunities.

“This has led to Indigenous people being ‘between two worlds,’ one the dominant culture and the other a more traditional Native American lifestyle. The ways that Indigenous people have traditionally used to form cultural identity are not as easily accessible to Natives living away from their tribal communities.”

In Utah, cultural resources for Native families who live in urban or suburban areas are very limited. “The opportunities we wish to have we often have to create ourselves.”