As one journey completes, another has just begun for Heaven Sepulveda, recent doctoral graduate from Arizona State University’s May Lou Fulton Teachers College and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member. 

Her dissertation, “From Community to Classroom,” was a one-day bus tour of the SRPMIC that took place on August 17 of last year. O’odham Action News published her doctoral dissertation online in October. 

The event featured over 25 people from the SRPMIC and included staff from Salt River Schools for a day-long field trip to further immerse non-Indigenous staff with the cultures and traditions of the Community.

The trip featured stops at Round House Café for breakfast, Red Mountain, the Talking Stick Entertainment District, the Way of Life Facility and more. 

After completing her doctorate, it was time for Sepulveda to officially thank her village of family, friends, loved ones and colleagues who have helped her academic journey. 

On March 24, Sepulveda showed her utmost appreciation to her community by hosting a thank you ceremony in the Eagle Mark Event Center Ballroom at the Courtyard Marriott. Nearly all guests who participated in the August tour were present to congratulate Sepulveda for her wonderful accomplishment. Guests included SRPMIC Council, Community seniors, Salt River Schools’ staff, SRPMIC department managers and other distinguished guests. 

“I wanted to have a gathering of all of us together so I could thank you all personally,” said Sepulveda during her welcoming and introductions.  Joined by her mom, aunt, sister, and two children, Sepulveda was filled with emotions throughout the gathering as she was continuously showered with hugs and congratulations from all. 

To further showcase the importance of all who helped her succeed, Sepulveda handed out thank you gifts in the shape of a puzzle piece, symbolizing those who helped her as she worked towards her academic achievement. “Although, it is my work, it was definitely a community effort,” said Sepulveda. 

Sepulveda said that she has been called “successful” by many people since earning her doctorate degree. Though she is appreciative to their congratulations, she stated feels the word has different meanings to everyone. “For me, it’s not always about academic success,” she said. “[Being called successful] could be someone who is a good Community member or student.” 

She added she hopes the Community bus tour can turn into a more frequent occurrence in the future. “I know we focus a lot on what the kiddos could do in the schools, but I would love to see it for police, social services, and all the other departments we have in the Community to do the tour.”

During the gathering, Chris Coffman, founder and executive officer of Helping Hands for Single Moms, provided a few words regarding Sepulveda being a recipient of the organization’s scholarship services program. “We help low-income single moms go to college,” explained Coffman. “A few years ago, the staff member that oversees the scholarship intake program came to me and told me, ‘I got a dilemma. We have this incredible person that’s applied for our scholarship, but we don’t do doctoral programs. What are we going to do?’” said Coffman. 

The result? The organization worked out a plan which allowed for Sepulveda to join the organization as a paid intern. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” added Coffman as he gave Sepulveda a hug following his remarks.

Later, Emily King provided additional words. “We’re all different ages in this room. All of us took the opportunity and time, thought, love and kindness to encourage her to be what she wanted to be and to ensure it with two beautiful, loving children,” she said. 

She added, “Family is what is important and that’s what we all are here, family. Through her and the education, I believe our Community is going to be stronger.”

As the gathering neared its end, Kelly Washington, Cultural Resources director, shared how the impacts of implementing O’odham and Piipaash traditions in today’s digital age is not only a real possibility, but crucial for the future of the SRPMIC.

“In my upbringing, I never had anyone that went to college. So, it wasn’t my reality. I just got to work, like my dad,” said Washington. “I always did like school, but at a certain point, my generation, it seems like, was presented with a false dichotomy, the modernists versus the traditionalists. It always seemed like there was a split.” 

Washington explained how the Community traditionalists who did not go to college were often looked over for Community management and director positions. 

“Those who went to modern education, didn’t place a lot of value on the traditional ways, they thought they were old and felt we [the Community] needed to ‘get with the times.’ I went the way I had to go, the more traditional way, it wasn’t until I was older, I realized, I could’ve had it all.”

He added, “From that point forward, I try to always let the kids know now that they can have it all. Heaven was already going down that road. I’m thankful to be a part of something like that. Bringing those worlds together can be a powerful thing for individuals and our Community. I’m glad we have role models now. She placed the emphasis on the culture and proved, you can have it all.”