“We don’t have many things on the Rosebud Reservation, but what we do have is community. It is in my heart to give back to them…not because I have to but because it’s what I need to do,” shared Remedy, who received a scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year from the American Indian Education Fund^® (AIEF) program of Partnership With Native Americans^® (PWNA). Remedy is in her junior year at Mount Marty University in South Dakota, where she studies nursing.  

Buoyed by her family and close-knit community, Remedy graduated high school as valedictorian. During her first year, Remedy’s challenges included losing a family member and adjusting to life off the reservation. She shared, “It was hard to transition to another way of life that I was not used to. The biggest change was coming to a university where the population of Native Americans was below 10%.” 

Remedy acknowledged that only a small percentage of Native Americans have the opportunity to attend college, and the number is even smaller for Indigenous women. Seeing a need for representation on campus, Remedy founded the Lakota Cultural Club. There and with the Student Nurses Association, Remedy has learned leadership skills that will transfer to a hospital setting.  

In addition to her club duties, Remedy works part-time, plays on the school’s basketball team, and balances her schoolwork.

Without the AIEF scholarship, Remedy would’ve had to take on another job, affecting her academics as well as her mental and physical well-being. She shared, “I want to let the donors know that they’re changing lives and making a difference. I wouldn’t be able to do this well in school if I didn’t have this scholarship. School is expensive as it is.” 

Remedy’s Lakota name, Chante Waste Win, means Great-Hearted Woman, which aligns with her lifelong desire to help others. With only one hospital and a few small clinics on the Rosebud Reservation, Remedy discussed the lack of resources and short-staffed facilities. She explained that there’s a huge need for role models in health, saying, “A lot of kids barely get through school, let alone college. Leaders could inspire kids to continue through hard times, further their education, and make a difference for our community.” Remedy was also inspired growing up, both by caretakers in her family and by her grandparents who spent much of their time as patients. She told us, “All I wanted to do was help them.” 

Remedy’s next goal is to work in a hospital setting and to be accepted into a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Program. Afterward, she’ll return home to improve health outcomes for the Sicangu Oyate (Burnt Thigh) Nation.  

PWNA’s AIEF program fuels the dreams of inspired Native students. Thanks to donors, Remedy will bring her knowledge and passion back home, where it’s desperately needed. Remedy shared, “Someday, when I graduate, I plan to become a scholarship donor as well.” Donate to AIEF today.