Breadcrumb
Native American Studies, B.A. | Class of
Emily Watkins
Curator/Registrar
Employer: Clarke Historical Museum
Job description: I am responsible for the physical and spiritual well-being of baskets and regalia from the Humboldt County area and surrounding region. I curate exhibits that educate the public about the history of local Indigenous peoples, along with contemporary basketry and the survivance of Indigenous cultures.
About Emily
Why did you choose this program?
I chose NAS to learn more about the history of my tribe, and to understand the genocide that occurred in the Americas. I focused on language and literature because of my interest in linguistics and love of writing.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
NAS prepared me for my current job by going in-depth about Indigenous California history and basketry, strengthening my writing and communication skills, and preparing me to have hard conversations about genocide, prejudice, and racism. I was given the opportunity to TA with Dr. Risling Baldy, and the teaching skills I gained with her help me with educating guests who visit the museum.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
I enjoyed learning about Indigenous natural resource management and Federal Indian Policy. I was inspired by the food sovereignty movement, and will be furthering the research on this topic as I pursue graduate school in the future.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
You should absolutely consider a major, double-major, or minor in NAS. It will challenge a lot of what you thought you knew about the United States and introduce you to decolonized academia.