- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Alaska Native students learn about heritage through internship at Sequoyah National Research Center

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 13:40:09 +0000

Two Alaska Native students are getting in touch with their heritage by serving as interns at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Sequoyah National Research Center.�� The goal of the Native American Student Internship Program is to provide students an experiential learning environment in which to acquire an understanding of the value of archives and the research potential of the collections of the center and to engage in academic research and practical archival activities related to tribal culture, society, and issues. The interns work 25 hours a week from June 4 to July 27 and receive on-campus housing and a $2,000 stipend. Recent ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate Heidi Davis and senior Stephanie Rabaduex, who are continuing internships from last summer, spend their internships archiving an important part of their Native Alaskan heritage. They are both Alaska Natives who are members of the Haida and Tlingit tribes. In 2014, the center acquired the, which included 1,263 videos. Thanks to a $24,000 grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, Rabaduex and Davis now decipher the videos, cataloging names, dates, places, and issues for the center’s archives. While growing up in the small village of Kake, Alaska, Davis, 29, fondly recalls tuning into “Heartbeat Alaska” as a child to watch the show’s host, Jeanie Greene, broadcast heartfelt stories of Alaska.

Heidi Davis works on digitizing photos of the Jeanie Greene collection on Alaska Natives at the Sequoyah National Research Center.��

“I would have been happy to do anything interning here, but the Jeanie Greene productions were special,” Davis said. “I grew up watching her shows in Alaska. Jeanie Greene actually babysat my dad, so my dad can tell me stories about her, but she is like a celebrity to me since I never met her.” Davis, who graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and political science, will attend William H. Bowen School of Law in the fall. One day Davis would like to return to Alaska to represent Alaska Natives in the court system. Davis worked for the Alaska Court System before she and her husband moved with their two small children to North Little Rock, following her husband’s return from the Coast Guard. While she enjoys living in the Natural State, working on the Jeanie Greene collection gives Davis a little piece of home. “It was pretty hard to adjust the first couple of years I was here and then I found Sequoyah and they kept reaching out to me,” Davis said. “I’m all the way in Little Rock working on a project that is close to my heart, so it’s amazing. I have family members on these videos who have passed away, so anytime I am watching and come across a family member, it is really exciting. It definitely gives me a new perspective because I grew up in southeast Alaska, but my kids will not grow up there, so it’s important for me to keep informing them on who they are.”

Stephanie Rabaduex works on digitizing photos of the Jeanie Greene collection on Alaska Natives at the Sequoyah National Research Center.��

On the other hand, Rabaduex, who will graduate this summer with a Bachelor of Art in English with an emphasis in creative writing, grew up in Ward, Arkansas. Her mother was adopted from Alaska and grew up in San Diego, so Rabaduex sees the Jeanie Greene project as a way to learn more about her heritage. “I didn’t know anything about my heritage. I have never even been to Alaska,” Rabaduex said. “Having the opportunity to see the videos, I’ve learned so much, so it’s important for everybody who wants to learn about the cultures of the Alaska Natives to have access to the videos.” Rabaduex, who also works at Baptist Health, learned about Sequoyah National Research Center when she took a tour during a mythology class. At first, she didn’t know the center also did research on Alaska Natives. “Erin Fehr (archivist) mentioned all these scholarships and the summer internships, and I never realized they would accept me, so that is a real thrill,” Rabaduex said. “I like the atmosphere here. Everyone makes you feel at home, like you are just part of this place since day one. It was an amazing opportunity for me to experience, not just my culture, but Alaska Native culture in general. I encourage anyone who has Native American background should come check out the Sequoyah National Research Center. You never know what you might find.” For more information about the Sequoyah National Research Center, contact Erin Fehr at ehfehr@ualr.edu or 501-569-8336. In the upper right photo, the Sequoyah National Research Center has selected four students for its 2018 Native American Student Internship Program. The interns (L to R) include Kevin Briceland, from Southern Methodist University, Courtney Peyketewa, from Oklahoma Central University, Heidi Davis, and Stephanie Rabadeux, both from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

From Alaska to Arkansas: Graduating student’s long journey leads her to road to success

Jenny Lambert — Tue, 08 May 2018 15:03:11 +0000

In her pursuit of higher education, Heidi Davis was forced to leave behind everything that she knew and loved in her hometown of Kake, Alaska. For several years, Davis worked as an in-court clerk for the Alaska Court System, and while there, became so inspired that she wanted to pursue a degree in criminal justice. In the summer of 2015, Davis and her husband made a pact to chase their dreams and further their careers by attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Because ��Vlog��ý Little Rock was located in the city where her mother-in-law resides, attending the university was an easy decision for the couple to make. It was the packing up and leaving behind the life they’d always known that was hard. “I had to move away from my family, my friends, my culture – everything,” Davis said. “I have two young children, one who was only a couple months old and the other who was two and a half at the time of the move. It was extremely hard to take that step and leave all of my family, knowing how difficult it was for them to see us go.” Once the pair made it to Little Rock, Davis experienced a complete culture shock. Everything around her was different, the people, the food, the atmosphere, but thankfully, her mother-in-law’s presence provided her with a sense of home. Over time, Davis adjusted to the city, but soon found herself trying to adjust to her new life as a college student. “I often struggled with balancing motherhood, being a full-time undergraduate, and being a supportive wife to my husband who was also pursuing his higher education,” Davis said. “I often questioned whether all the time I spent dedicated toward success in my education was shortchanging my kids, but realized that I was also doing it to better their lives.” Although Davis often felt overwhelmed by the pressures of life, she was fortunate to find support waiting for her at every turn. “My husband has always been my biggest supporter,” she said. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had the courage to move to Arkansas to pursue my education in the first place. We’ve had a unique relationship as we were both able to attend ��Vlog��ý Little Rock full time as non-traditional students with children. He was there with me the first day I began my education, when I cried telling him I didn’t think I could do it, and has encouraged me every moment along the way.”

Heidi Davis graduating in Spring 2018 with double major in Political Science/Criminal Justice .

In addition, her mother-in-law welcomed the family with open arms. As a new retiree, she also offered to babysit the children while the pair went to school. While Davis was away from home, she became acquainted with a number of professors and staff members who helped her see her potential and made her ��Vlog��ý Little Rock experience one to remember. “I know I’m biased, but every professor that I was able to take in my undergraduate career has been amazing and helped me in one way or another,” she said. “Along with knowledge, they gave me a little more confidence each time, so I wouldn’t be where I am without each of them.” According to Davis, Tara Kittrell from the counseling office was a great resource who helped her to cope with the constant anxiety she faced; Dr. Trakenya Dobbins, her first year experience instructor, gave her the confidence to achieve her educational goals; and Dr. Daryl Rice, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Dr. Greg Shufeldt, assistant professor of political science, introduced her to political science and sparked her passion to become politically active. Dr. Daniel Littlefield, director of the Sequoyah National Research Center gave her a little piece of home while she interned for him; and Dr. Rocio Paez, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumna, constantly encouraged her and inspired her to continue her education beyond her bachelors degree. “I originally came to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with the intention of pursuing only my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, but through my advisor, I discovered that I could graduate with two degrees,” Davis said. “As a first-generation college student, this opportunity was too exciting to pass up, so I decided to go for it. I felt pursuing a degree in political science would be just as advantageous to my career goals as criminal justice, so I chose it as my secondary major.” Thanks to her team of supporters and Davis’ motivation to make her children proud, she will graduate with two bachelor’s degrees in political science and criminal justice May 12 from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Three short years ago, I was scared to death to leave my family and all I’ve ever known behind, and now I’m a few short weeks out from finishing up my undergraduate degrees,” Davis said. “It really goes by so fast that it’s hard to believe it’s almost over.” After graduation, Davis will attend the William H. Bowen School of Law in the fall and says she couldn’t be more thrilled about it.

Scholarship recipients get in touch with native heritage

Jenny Lambert — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 06:35:06 +0000

Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock students were awarded a newly established internship-based scholarship from the Sequoyah National Research Center. Juniors Stephanie Rabaduex and Heidi Davis were the first to receive the James W. Parins Intern Scholarship, created in honor of the late Dr. James Parins, co-founder of the Sequoyah National Research Center. “He was a vital member of our center,” said Erin Fehr, research center archivist. “We really wanted to honor his memory and the work that he had done.” Fehr says that one of Parin’s greatest strengths as a director was reaching out to students. Because he’d worked so closely with the research center’s interns, the center’s staff decided that the scholarship should be awarded internally. This semester, two students were offered $650 scholarships based on their ability to demonstrate knowledge and interest in Native American culture. As Alaska Natives of the Haida and Tlingit tribe, Rabaduex and Davis were the perfect candidates for the award. Coming from different backgrounds, they’ve each seen a different side of their history, making their experience together at the center feel like life has come full circle. Rabaduex, an English major, grew up in Ward, Arkansas, where not too many people looked like her. “I’m Native American, and I’ve always felt alone and out of place,” Rabaduex said. “I get mixed up all the time with many different heritages.” Overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness, Rabaduex long wished to experience her native land and its people firsthand. After visiting the research center on a class field trip and meeting Fehr, a fellow Alaska Native, Rabaduex was more than excited to join the center’s family. “I’ve always wanted to learn more about my culture,” she said. “I just never had the resources to do it until I found this place.” Davis, a criminal justice and political science major, was born and raised in Kake, Alaska. While there, she worked for the Alaska court system, making it easy for her to find the perfect major at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She and her husband decided to move their family of two children to her husband’s hometown of Sherwood, Arkansas, following his return from the Coast Guard. Although Davis has only lived in the natural state for a few short years, she has become well adjusted to her new lifestyle. “I’m now a first-generation college student, so this is a big step and pretty exciting for me,” Davis said.

Student Heidi Davis works on digitizing photos of the Jeanie Greene collection on Alaska Natives at the Sequoyah National Research Center. Photographed on February 27, 2017.

As she enjoys the change of scenery and the new experiences, thoughts of leaving her entire family behind often surface. After finding out about the Sequoyah National Research Center, Davis and her husband made a visit to the center in hopes of finding traces of Davis’ southeast Alaska heritage. Once Davis met Fehr and was informed of an internship opening, she knew that the research center was the perfect fit for her. “Being here and being able to see our students come and find a place where they feel like they belong is really important to us,” Fehr said. As student interns, Rabaduex and Davis have an important task to complete in the center. In 2014, the center acquired the Jeanie Greene Heartbeat Alaska Film Collection, which included 1,263 videos. Thanks to a $24,000 grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, Rabaduex and Davis now decipher the videos, cataloging names, dates, places, and issues for the center’s archives. “These videos are so important, and to have Alaska Native students working on them just makes it even more special,” Fehr said. “It’s good on an academic, intellectual level, but it also becomes way more personal whenever you’re connected to the material you’re working with.” Growing up, Davis was tuned in to “Heartbeat Alaska,” making her assignment at the center much more meaningful. The show’s creator, Jeanie Greene, babysat her father and her uncle when they were children. With such a personal connection, Davis looks at the videos as being a sacred part of her history that she can share with her children. “Growing up in Alaska, I’ve only had the knowledge of southeast Alaska,” Davis said. “Being all the way in Arkansas with my two little ones and them not being able to grow up the same way I did, it’s a big deal to be able to gather more information to keep teaching them and keep them aware of who they are.” Because Rabaduex has never been to Alaska, she has the pleasure of seeing things in the videos for the first, giving her a better understanding of her native traditions. As they continue to learn about their culture and history, Rabaduex and Davis are grateful to share the experience with one another. For more information about the Sequoyah National Research Center, contact Erin Fehr at ehfehr@ualr.edu or 501.569.8336.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Alaska Native students learn about heritage through internship at Sequoyah National Research Center

From Alaska to Arkansas: Graduating student’s long journey leads her to road to success

Scholarship recipients get in touch with native heritage

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock