Perspectives of Indigenous Scholars on Their Successful Negotiation of Doctoral Programs
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Footprints on a Path Less-Traveled: Perspectives of Indigenous Scholars on their Successful Negotiation of Doctoral Programs Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Galda, Duff Caron Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 09/10/2021 11:58:03 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/634348 1 FOOTPRINTS ON A PATH LESS-TRAVELED: PERSPECTIVES OF INDIGENOUS SCHOLARS ON THEIR SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION OF DOCTORAL PROGRAMS by Duff Caron Galda _________________________ Copyright © Duff Caron Galda 2019 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF TEACHING, LEARNING, & SOCIOCULTURAL STUDIES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY WITH A MAJOR IN LANGUAGE, READING, AND CULTURE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2019 2 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This has been a long journey, and even though it sometimes felt lonely, I most certainly did not travel this path alone. I want to thank those who, throughout my journey, offered their time, encouragement, laughter, and help. You believed in me, even when I did not believe in myself, and I am grateful. I want to especially thank my son, Nick who has offered his unflagging love and encouragement throughout this entire journey. You have willingly sacrificed so much in recognizing and affirming that this was something that I had to do. Your confidence in me, your pep talks, your words of wisdom that come from somewhere far beyond your years, and your acts of kindness and love have meant the world to me, as do you. You have been my greatest blessing, Nick, and I love you more than words could ever convey. I am grateful for my two little dogs, Kiah and Corky, who never once left my side, even when I was completely absorbed with reading, writing, editing, and obsessing. There have never been two more loyal or loving companions, and I am thankful that they were there waiting for me, night or day, reminding me always that I was loved and appreciated. I am grateful for my brother, Eddie, my sisters, Shannon, Darby, and Dana, Dana’s husband Karl, and our late parents, Joan and Edward Galda, two beautiful, generous, loving souls who were the embodiment of unconditional love. My mom and dad were lifelong learners who taught their children that reading, curiosity, observation, and discovery are gifts that sweeten our days and enrich our time on this earth. Through their example, we became the adults that we are! Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your gentle guidance, your encouragement, your words of wisdom, and your life lessons. I 4 hope that there, in your summer place, you can take comfort in knowing that I finally did complete this journey. I am grateful to my advisor, Dr. Kathy Short, one of the most generous, kind, compassionate, and patient educators I have ever known. Kathy, you epitomize the highest ideals of the teaching profession; you genuinely care about students, and it has been an honor and privilege working with you. I would never have completed this degree had it not been for you. You are a brilliant scholar and an inspiring mentor. You have consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that I finished this doctoral program. For the rest of my life, I will think of you with unending gratitude every time I see those three little letters following my name. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am grateful to my committee members, Dr. Mary Carol Combs and Dr. Sheilah Nicholas. Although you could have chosen not to, you stayed with me, even after that dreadful day of my comprehensive finals. Thank you, both, for everything! I am so grateful for my friends and colleagues, the “Indigenous Thinkers,” that walked along with me - many of them right to the end of this journey, even though most had already completed theirs; Depree Shadowwalker (and her texts!), Melo Tirado- Paredes, Ka’shatstenslahawi (Tracy) Williams (my Wise and Wonderful Mentor), Joaquin Muñoz, Maxine Baptiste, Tommy Begay, Roberta Yazzie, Angie Hoffman, and my “little sister,” Candace Galla. Thank you all for encouraging me, helping me, looking out for me, and sharing with me your energy, friendship, generosity, and beautiful souls; you are all awesome! Of course, the Indigenous Thinkers had a huge supporter in Jason Patterson; thank you for your words of support and encouragement, Jason! 5 A very special thanks goes out to two more “Indigenous Thinkers.” My friend and writing partner, Gilbert Brown, who is, to me, the epitome of a “life-long learner.” I will always be grateful to you and your enthusiasm for learning; you are an inspiring scholar, G-man! Amanda Holmes, when I thought all was lost, you gathered the support I so desperately needed. Thank you for caring and encouraging me through this final trial! Thanks to Dr. Shari Popen, Maria Fierro, Regina Siquieros, Yvonne Gonzalez, and the late Dr. Maria Velez; you always looked out for me; and as you know, I sure needed looking out for! Thank you to my high school teacher, Mr. John Gentilli, and to my graduate professor, Dr. Roberto Luis Carrasco, for seeing a potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. Your kindness, guidance, encouragement, and interest in my welfare will never be forgotten! Thank you to my cherished friends. Daze Scott, it was in our classroom in Leupp, with you and all our wonderful students, that I was first inspired to pursue a degree in Indigenous Education. You and your family have always embraced me as one of your own, which has been a wonderful gift. Ahéhee' for your love and friendship, Missus Wiley! Jimmy and Jenny Villas, all those years ago, at the beginning of this journey, you provided a safe and loving place for Nick while I attended classes at NAU. I have never forgotten and remain grateful to you both, and to your lovely family. Sandy Kelleher… Thank you for being my friend! Your practical, inspired advice has always helped me to let go and to maintain my focus on what really matters in life. “Trish” Thomson, my true blue, dinky di Aussie sister, your lifelong friendship has meant the world to me, and I am glad we share so many wonderful memories! Ruth Kibler, you were there in the toughest of times; thank you for being such a thoughtful, patient, encouraging, and steadfast 6 friend! Susie and John McBride, I will be forever grateful for your love and support, which I appreciate more than you might ever realize. Lena Throlson and Janet Fukuda, thank you for checking in on and encouraging me as I neared the journey’s end. Your encouragement was priceless! Willow Bentley, muchas gracias for providing the perfect space in which to write my dissertation! And, to the late Mary Bero, I am grateful for the love, wisdom, and encouragement you offered over the years spent on this very rocky trail; you helped me maintain my sanity and faith and never once stopped believing in me. I was blessed to be your friend and very much miss the pleasure of your company. To each and every one of “my favorite students,” I can’t thank you enough for all that you have taught me, and for the inspiration you have provided, during the last three decades of my life. Each one of you holds a very special place in my heart, and I want you to know that even at this advanced age, I continue to learn and grow as I try to be the best teacher, and best person, that I can be. I hold each of you in my heart and always will. Finally, and most especially, I want to express my gratitude to each of the study participants who worked with me in helping to complete this study. You generously gave of your time and effort to share narratives of your journeys down the path less-traveled, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Without your priceless contributions, I would not have had a dissertation to write. I hope that through our efforts, we have made the journey a bit easier for those who will follow your footprints. Thank you, one and all! 7 DEDICATION I fondly dedicate this dissertation to my son, Nicholas Galda Comeau, who stood by me and encouraged me through each step of this prolonged journey. I recognize and value that you are just as proud of me as I am of you, Nick, and I never want you to forget just how much you mean to me. Your kindness, your sensitivity, your intelligence, your beautifully grounded way of looking at the world, and your wonderful sense of humor are priceless gifts that you offer freely and with such a genuinely pure and loving heart. It is and always has been an honor, a privilege, and a delight to be your mom. For years, you have claimed that I had enough degrees for both of us. Now that I am ready to leave this chapter of our lives behind, Sport, I can honestly admit that you are right; I sure do! In addition, I dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my parents, Joan Marie and Edward Frank Galda, who raised me to believe in myself, to love unconditionally, to appreciate the world around me, and to follow my heart.