At 36, Krista is doing everything she can to set a strong example for her four children, whose ages range from 11 to 21 years old. A full-time mother, full-time employee, and full-time college student, Krista is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies at Sinte Gleske University. She plans to graduate in 2026.  

“It’s a lot on top of having a full-time job and being a mother full-time,” she said. “My children will one day be able to say that their mother is a degree holder.” 

Krista’s Dakota name is Makhpiya Hdi Naji Win, translated as “She comes from the clouds.”  

Krista explained that names are tied to a spirit that chooses its family before birth.  

“As an innocent baby, a small spirit that comes from the stars, we choose our parents,” she said. “When we are born with an Indian name, it’s our responsibility to live up to it.”  

That lesson shapes how Krista carries herself and how she raises her children. 

She lives on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and serves as an executive assistant at a Tribal nonprofit focused on food sovereignty, education, and health initiatives. Before this position, Krista worked at a university she loved. When the university changed its policy and stopped supporting full-time employees who were also full-time students, she faced a choice and decided to continue her education. That decision reflects her commitment to her family and her community. 

Krista is a first-generation college student and was raised with seven siblings. She grew up in a home marked by addiction and hardship, and both of her parents passed away when Krista was young. Those experiences placed responsibilities on her early in life, and she became a caretaker for her siblings. She found strength in cultural teachings and vowed to break the cycle of generational trauma.  

“I live a drug- and alcohol-free life. The cycle ends with me,” she said. “I will continue to show my children a different way to live.” 

Each day, Krista’s family begins with gratitude.  

“Every morning when we wake, we always thank Creator for another day. We smudge our home.” Those daily practices, she said, help ground her children and strengthen their sense of identity. 

Living on the reservation means Krista faces extra economic and geographic barriers. Jobs and educational resources are limited, and many families are ineligible for federal student aid. Still, she pushes forward with determination, balancing work, parenting, and her studies. 

Krista was awarded a scholarship from the American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF) program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA). To support scholarship recipients like her, we send care packages filled with snacks and school supplies. These simple items make a big difference, especially when starting a new term.  

“I just want to say a big thank you for all the items in this box, especially the pencils and markers. I needed these for my class,” she said. “Everything in the box, I’m really thankful for. It’s all going to be used.” 

Krista asked donors to remember the Indigenous community.  

“Keep the Indigenous community in mind,” she said. “We’re doing the best we can with what we have, especially when we don’t qualify for [financial aid]. This scholarship is going to help me a lot. I’m really thankful for that.” 

Thanks to your generosity, Krista is continuing her education, caring for her family, and preparing to give back to new generations. Your support helps her, and others like her, turn hope into action while carrying forward traditions, resilience, and pride. 

Donate to AIEF today.