Chauma Kee-Jansen
'Well, that’s a good question. That is something you’re going to have to decide.'
Growing up in Kamas, Utah, Chauma Kee-Jensen pictured herself attending Brigham Young University because of her mother graduating from the university. However, BYU was not quite the experience Chauma imagined. From the large student population on campus to the dorm neighbor thinking Native Americans were stupid, she found the adjustment to be quite difficult. Yet through the Tribe of Many Feathers, the Native American ward, and Living Legends, Chauma found the social connections needed to succeed from BYU.
Additionally, despite the question of how to live with both Native American beliefs and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chauma found her identity by living both. For instance, she found her testimony of the Church at BYU and yet still participated in tribal traditions to continue family practices in bringing the family closer to each other and to their heritage. The church does not come from the culture and as Chauma taught her kids this important principle, her kids have been able to stand up for their family as a result.
Tribe Affiliations: Sioux Assiniboine/Navajo.
Degrees from Brigham Young University: BA Sociology (2003), MA Public Administration (2005).
For a link to the full video interview and transcript, click here.