蜜桃影视

鈥淲hat some may see as a gap,鈥� says Jovanna Archuleta, 鈥渢hat鈥檚 not necessarily a gap. We can learn a lot from indigenous ways.鈥�

Archuleta, assistant secretary for Native American Early Education & Care with the , says the traditional knowledge that Native Americans possess has relevance for other communities. 鈥淗ome visiting programs, for example, existed long before any state began implementing them,鈥� she says.

As the occupant of a new position, the first of its kind in a newly created department, one of only four in the nation, she approaches her work with both academic credentials and lived experience. This double orientation reinforces an appreciation for the culture鈥攅specially the rich knowledge of early childhood education鈥攖hat has often been absent in the state鈥檚 government.

Working in consultation with tribal leaders, in a state with 229,000 Native Americans, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Elizabeth Groginsky, cabinet secretary for early childhood education, are committed to getting away from a longstanding colonial mentality. In 2019, when the state , Lujan Grisham hailed it as 鈥渁 celebration of New Mexico鈥檚 23 sovereign indigenous nations and the essential place of honor native citizens hold in the fabric of our great state.鈥�

Archuleta says her extended family played an important role in her life when she was growing up in the Namb茅 Pueblo tribe. 鈥淢y cousins and I were always at my grandma鈥檚, and now my children have the same experiences.鈥� she recalls. 鈥淚t was just normal for everyone to take care of everyone else.鈥� Her educational path took her to New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) for her bachelor鈥檚 and MBA, and later she pursued certification in early childhood education.

She had her son during her undergraduate years at NMHU. 鈥淚 was a young mother in college,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 know what it鈥檚 like to rely on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food stamps.鈥� This experience makes her sensitive to what families have to go through鈥攁 quality often lacking at the upper echelons of government. 鈥淚 was there once. I鈥檓 that mom who had no extended care and had to make hard decisions.鈥�

Becoming a mother again 13 years later, shortly before the pandemic, added a new dimension to Archuleta鈥檚 understanding of the challenges faced by Native American families in her state. far exceeded those of other racial and ethnic groups in New Mexico. The pandemic, she says, has rekindled historical trauma for some, including such episodes as the removal and relocation, boarding schools that set out to erase Native American history, culture and language.

鈥淣ative communities,鈥� she says, 鈥渟howed so much strength during this period. I remember one woman telling me, 鈥楨ither we are getting through this pandemic because we鈥檝e always been in survival mode or because we have become resilient people.鈥欌��

While the pandemic exacted a toll of devastation and loss, it also meant Archuleta personally got to spend more time with her daughter and truly be her first teacher. 鈥淪he also spent time with her own mom,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淭hese learning opportunities, being embraced by culture and community鈥攎ost children don鈥檛 that get these days.鈥�

While Archuleta has started to visit many areas of the state, many tribes still have strict COVID restrictions in place. She鈥檚 also collaborating with other state agencies to expand access to educational, employment and health opportunities. She credits resources from the and other institutions, but places an even higher value on voices of tribal leaders.

Archuleta might have a bigger reach now than she did in her previous role with the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation鈥攁 W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant supported early childhood work with the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council鈥攂ut essentially, her mission remains the same: listening and building relationships.

鈥淲e鈥檙e here,” she affirms, 鈥渢o support the goals of tribal communities.鈥�