The Native American Scholar Program is giving Native American students the opportunity to come to school through tribe grants and funds and leave debt free, said recipients. This program is similar to the IWORK program at BYU–Hawaii.
“It’s the mission of the university to come to BYU and to learn and participate and to learn how to lead,” said Janey Grover, BYUH admissions officer.
For Ty Saganey, a senior studying social sciences from the Northern Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation, the Native American Scholar Program helped him stay in Hawaii. Due to the new academic calendar, the tribe was going to cut Saganey’s scholarship funding because the calendar did not fit with the pay cycles.
Saganey was planning to transfer to Provo in order to continue his education. As he was starting the process, he talked to Norm Black, the vice president of Administration, who was looking into starting the program. Because of this funding, Saganey stayed and is looking forward to graduating next year.
“I’m grateful for it. I honestly don’t know how else I would pay for school. If it wasn’t for that, I probably wouldn’t have been able to come back this semester, and I’m already so close,” said Saganey.
Another participant of the scholar program is Tiyarra Roanhorse, a sophomore studying exercise and sports science from the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation. “On my part, it gives me more time to focus on schoolwork than think of ways I would have to pay for education and the experience so far. Having that scholarship is great.”
Roanhorse said she hopes to go into physical therapy so she can work with those who need help on the reservation. She would be able to help the elderly and talk to them, since she speaks Navajo and not many others do.
Saganey said any Navajo who pursues their education helps break a stereotype. He said his sister, who recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Dixie State University, reminded him of this. “If I was to fall behind the traditional Navajo person, I should be the drunk behind the local supermarket and she would be probably a mother of two, maybe pregnant with a third child with no father nearby. That’s the stereotypical Navajo. Not saying that’s everyone, but that’s what we’re seen as. Just being here in school is a huge accomplishment.”
Saganey continued, “I like being different--going against the flow. It’s the feeling of being a rebel.” He wishes to be an example to the younger generation, showing them they can get an education even though it takes time and effort.
Jami Harvey, a transfer student studying biology from the Southeastern Utah portion of the Navajo Nation, said, “It let me come to a BYU school” instead of a public school.
Coming to BYUH through the scholar program gave Harvey a unique learning opportunity. “Here we are learning to hold callings and be a productive member of society … and to be a student. To do that is a huge balance,” Harvey said.