Photo: Margaret Tania White, recent Northern Arizona University Graduate with her dad (and author)
Introduction
“Go get it” were the encouraging words that echoed in my mind as I sat in the packed audience at Northern Arizona University, watching my dear daughter, Margaret Talia White, earn her master’s degree in educational leadership this past weekend. These three simple words have been a blessing, an encouragement, and a prayer from my dad to all his children in a kind, humble way since time immemorial.
Not words in a showoff, look at me kind of way. Instead, they were a Native, thankful to Creator, you can do it, encouraging kind of way. She sure did get it, I thought, as I sat in the crowd, trying not to show my tears of joy. Realistically, I think any dad would have shed a few happy tears, unless he was a robot.
What can I say? I am one humble, happy, and proud dad. I actually got dressed up for this one. I wore my best faded jeans, shirt, and turquoise choker. My wife said she couldn’t recognize me. I said I couldn’t either.
Of course, my daughter does the lady chit chat stuff with her mom, but we have our own special dad/daughter relationship and some similar qualities. She bought us expensive tickets to the last Rolling Stones concert in Glendale, Arizona, and we tore it up jamming the night away. She loves to write and loves to help young people. Very simply, our similar qualities are we will stand up for the people and what is right.
The Beautiful Name
In the 1980s, as the director of the great Navajo Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program, I interacted with three hundred elders at 90 communities on the Navajo Nation, including my own dear grandmother, Margaret Taliwood. It was a special time. Unfortunately, my dear grandmother made her journey to be with Creator. I loved her with all my heart.
So I had the greatest job in the world. I had great Navajo elders all around me every day, but no Grandma. It sure was lonely and it sure hurt. So, Babe, your name represents love, hope, and healing to me during this broken-hearted time. I named you to carry on my grandma’s and your great-grandmother’s name in a good way. Just to say it anytime, anywhere, makes me happy — Margaret Talia.
Walk Across That Stage
I watched the graduates stand and line up on the opposite side of the stage. There she was, the one with the eagle on her cap and eagle feather fan in her hand. She stood out from the others. My heart began to beat a little faster.
She and I always talked about what it meant to walk across that stage. The Native symbolism. The meaning. The power. “Someday you’re going to walk across that stage,” I would say, trying to encourage her. Now, she was right in front of me. Beautifully dressed in her Honors tassels, turquoise and silver jewelry, Native skirt and blouse, moccasins, and silver concho belt. Some of the items she wore were passed down from Great-Grandma Margaret. She literally glowed. Okay, here we go. Take a deep breath. “…with a master’s degree in educational leadership, Margaret Talia White.”
By now, my heart was beating like a freight train, and I was sweating like a pig. Honestly, I was trying to hide my tears of joy as she walked across that stage to the whooping and hollering of the whole family all around me. Each step was a milestone of achievement we had spoken about many times, and she took them, walking softly in her great-grandma’s love and legacy, as she walked across that stage. I was bursting with Native pride.
Milestones
Milestone words I heard repeatedly spoken by the speakers at the graduation ceremony and reception were character, prayer, motivation, resilience, visualization, and patience.
“It all comes back to character,” one speaker sincerely stated. He said, “People can advise you all they want, but you, yourself, must have character to reach your milestones.”
Mom, as usual, offered the best advice in the world. “Everything good starts with a prayer first.” She is the cornerstone of our family. This advice is our spiritual guide, and we all know it to be true.
Another speaker stated, “You must have motivation to reach your milestone. Don’t sleep all morning. Get up and do something.” He said, “Our ancestors survived Wounded Knee, the Trail of Tears, and the Long Walk … so it shouldn’t be that hard to get up and go to class.”
One fascinating speaker encouraged individuals striving to graduate to actually visualize their graduation in detail—What will I wear? Who will I invite? Where will the family eat afterward? This female Native speaker, my beautiful sis, did this. She has a PhD and recently retired after a distinguished career as a college professor.
A concluding speaker, a dean at an NAU college, used himself as an example at the end of the ceremony when he said, “One word I have not heard tonight is patience. Be patient. Not everyone succeeds the first time.”
Yes indeed, be patient , but never give up on pursuing your milestones in life. I, too, dropped out of college initially, but I went back and earned my MSW. If I can do it, you can. too.
Intergenerational Trauma Defeated By Family Triumphs
I am very much aware of how intergenerational trauma has negatively impacted our dear indigenous people, through 40 years of experience. I think it is a clear and factual statement to say our own government intentionally planned the genocide of Native people. A good example is the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 1940-1950s boarding schools.
Why do I mention intergenerational trauma? It continues to go unaddressed on many fronts in rural and urban Native America today, in this case in Native education.
Watching Native families cheering their graduates on was like watching a family triumph. A documented victory over intergenerational trauma. At least for one day. They broke through the barrier. Just to walk across that stage was overcoming enormous odds and struggles only the many Native graduates know. Dad would tell us, “They can never take that degree away from you.”
Conclusion
“This degree represents more than an academic achievement. It reflects resilience, purpose, and a continued commitment to showing up for students in meaningful ways,” Margaret Talia stated a few days after her graduation.
I share my thoughts mostly to motivate other Native students, not in a in a showoff, look at me kind of way, but in a Native, thankful to Creator, you can do it, encouraging kind of way. To me, it all comes back to you and God Almighty on a personal and spiritual level as an Indigenous person. Yes, it’s so simple; it’s complicated. Go get it. Everything good starts with a prayer. Realize yourself.
My heartfelt congratulations to my dear daughter Margaret Talia again. God bless you, Babe. You sure made me proud when you walked across that stage and earned your degree. I love you to infinity plus infinity plus four. You got it. Human Generated.
Dad
Human Generated
