Big Sky Times

Native American Enrichment Center has an ambassador to support students

Great Falls College is excited to announce the hire of Ashley Haley to be the ambassador for the Native American Enrichment Center.

The position is a new grant-funded role that will help provide a safe haven for students to reach out to Haley for scholarship information, assistance with navigating higher education, academic support, study skills, student engagement, cultural opportunities, mentoring, networking and more.

“My job experience has been focused on coordinating public programs for tribal and non-profit organizations, and I am passionate about helping others reach their goals,” she said.

She will assist students in becoming more independent, self-confident and efficient learners while providing advocacy that contributes to the overall academic success and persistence of Indigenous students.

"Having a connection to your cultural identity is very important, but living away from home can make that connection harder,” Haley said. “I want to help increase access to cultural resources, and educational and employment opportunities, while still maintaining a strong tribal identity.”

Haley’s Indian name is Strong Woman, and she is enrolled in the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy reservation north of Great Falls.

Haley has four daughters and a son and has lived in Great Falls for the past nine years with her partner. She has a bachelor’s in political science with an option in public administration and a bachelor’s in Native American studies from the University of Montana.

She is a student in the college’s new Substances Abuse and Addictions Counseling program.

She is excited about the new role.

“Natives bring a unique perspective to a variety of issues,” Haley said. “I look forward to engaging with students, community members and others so that our voices can be heard, our identity be recognized, and our values and teachings be strengthened.”

Original source can be found here.