The NCAI and me ...
In case you were unaware, I'm going to apply for an internship with the National Congress of American Indians.
Now comes the tricky part. Based upon my collegiate experience, the Nice Lady recommended the writing tract. Which might be good, but it's a PR gig, to put it bluntly. A Native American PR gig, but a PR gig nonetheless. Not a shining spot on anyone's resume who wants to be taken seriously as a journalist. And it's probably not going to figure hugely into the work I envision myself and Toni doing within the next five years, God-willing.
So there's another tract: advocacy.
"Attending committee hearings and meetings of coalitions and interest groups that work on topics related to NCAI priorities; tracking legislation of concern to tribal nations; communicating with congressional offices under the direction of NCAI Governmental Affairs staff; contacting NCAI member tribes and supporters when key legislative activity arises; responding to general information inquiries as requested; participating in staff meetings and discussions; preparing legislative updates; and performing additional duties to support NCAI's work."
Hot-diggity-doo!
The problem being that there is at least one Alfred Walking Bull on every federally-recognized reservation who will probably be gunning for this internship and while I haven't received any information as to the competitiveness and slots available, I'm sure it's a tight squeeze.
So, I have to polish off my high school accolades and highlight the volunteer/social/political work I've done since. Which was ostensibly, the campaign. Dang.
Because, this is a sample of the questions on the application:
"What previous experience have you had with American Indian and Alaska Native issues?
"Which areas of NCAI's work are of most interest to you?
"Please describe relevant work, volunteer experience, or other involvement you have had in the field of Indian affairs or other political, social or community issues of concern to you. Please include names of organizations, duties and responsibilities, and dates of involvement.
"Please explain the following using a separate page and limiting your response to a maximum of 500 words:
- why you are interested in working with NCAI;
- what you hope to gain from the intern/fellowship experience;
- how the intern/fellowship experience relates to any long-range plans you may have;
- any special skills or experience you feel you would bring to NCAI."
I mean, I can do this, no sweat.
But it's the idea of saying, "I'm a big ol' queer come to capitalize on our collective cultural attitude toward Two Spirit individuals in order to make marriage equality a living, breathing thing on Indian reservations!" is what's a little daunting.
But I still have some clout with some council people back home and community leaders, so if I ask them to shill for yours truly, I think I'll be set. As far as competing with all the other Alfred Walking Bulls out there, I think I have a good lead with the Two Spirit cause. I mean, most leaders my age or younger are still in the "give us back our land"-field of advocacy; which is a good and proper thing to advocate, but I've got a plan and a life's work cut out for myself, so I think I have an edge there.
The double-side to that edge is that aside from the family of and foundation for the late Fred Martinez, almost no one in Indian Country is doing this work. So there's the re-education aspect I have to deal with [e.g. "Christianity screwed our view of LGBT Natives up somethin' fierce, allow me to tell you what the Lakota tradition has to say about the matter"].
But, I'm ready.
Bring. It.
Now comes the tricky part. Based upon my collegiate experience, the Nice Lady recommended the writing tract. Which might be good, but it's a PR gig, to put it bluntly. A Native American PR gig, but a PR gig nonetheless. Not a shining spot on anyone's resume who wants to be taken seriously as a journalist. And it's probably not going to figure hugely into the work I envision myself and Toni doing within the next five years, God-willing.
So there's another tract: advocacy.
"Attending committee hearings and meetings of coalitions and interest groups that work on topics related to NCAI priorities; tracking legislation of concern to tribal nations; communicating with congressional offices under the direction of NCAI Governmental Affairs staff; contacting NCAI member tribes and supporters when key legislative activity arises; responding to general information inquiries as requested; participating in staff meetings and discussions; preparing legislative updates; and performing additional duties to support NCAI's work."
Hot-diggity-doo!
The problem being that there is at least one Alfred Walking Bull on every federally-recognized reservation who will probably be gunning for this internship and while I haven't received any information as to the competitiveness and slots available, I'm sure it's a tight squeeze.
So, I have to polish off my high school accolades and highlight the volunteer/social/political work I've done since. Which was ostensibly, the campaign. Dang.
Because, this is a sample of the questions on the application:
"What previous experience have you had with American Indian and Alaska Native issues?
"Which areas of NCAI's work are of most interest to you?
"Please describe relevant work, volunteer experience, or other involvement you have had in the field of Indian affairs or other political, social or community issues of concern to you. Please include names of organizations, duties and responsibilities, and dates of involvement.
"Please explain the following using a separate page and limiting your response to a maximum of 500 words:
- why you are interested in working with NCAI;
- what you hope to gain from the intern/fellowship experience;
- how the intern/fellowship experience relates to any long-range plans you may have;
- any special skills or experience you feel you would bring to NCAI."
I mean, I can do this, no sweat.
But it's the idea of saying, "I'm a big ol' queer come to capitalize on our collective cultural attitude toward Two Spirit individuals in order to make marriage equality a living, breathing thing on Indian reservations!" is what's a little daunting.
But I still have some clout with some council people back home and community leaders, so if I ask them to shill for yours truly, I think I'll be set. As far as competing with all the other Alfred Walking Bulls out there, I think I have a good lead with the Two Spirit cause. I mean, most leaders my age or younger are still in the "give us back our land"-field of advocacy; which is a good and proper thing to advocate, but I've got a plan and a life's work cut out for myself, so I think I have an edge there.
The double-side to that edge is that aside from the family of and foundation for the late Fred Martinez, almost no one in Indian Country is doing this work. So there's the re-education aspect I have to deal with [e.g. "Christianity screwed our view of LGBT Natives up somethin' fierce, allow me to tell you what the Lakota tradition has to say about the matter"].
But, I'm ready.
Bring. It.