# @ucsandiego on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C0NWM55M8xo
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/75464828-ucsandiego-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5915d078f2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-11-28T23:42:09.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** UC San Diego / UCSD (@ucsandiego) — https://gondola.cc/ucsandiego

## Caption

"My tribe is the Cheyenne River Sioux. I am Native American and Filipino, originally from the Tohono O'odham reservation in Arizona before my family migrated to Sacramento. 

Receiving my acceptance letter from UC San Diego, my top-choice school, was a whirlwind of emotions. Leaving my loved ones after my father's cancer diagnosis made moving away for college a bittersweet experience. My father passed away during my second year here, and navigating grief while in school was a difficult road. My father's unwavering wish for my success became my guiding light, motivating every achievement. 

I am now a fourth-year student, immersed in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at Sixth College and active in the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA), Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA), BUMMP Program, and Scholar's Society. The more I involved myself in the UC San Diego community, I garnered pride in my accomplishments, notably the Outstanding Native Triton award. Joining student organizations granted reprieve and fostered lasting friendships. Despite the challenges of being part of a small and underrepresented community on campus, I strive to create a sense of belonging and a safe space for my community. 

My father's work within Native communities and my grandmother's devotion to animals were defining catalysts when choosing a career path. Looking ahead, my future beckons toward graduate school, aiming for a master's degree. The ultimate goal is to give back to Indian Country by establishing a sanctuary providing affordable animal healthcare services for those on reservations—a testament to my enduring commitment to both the animal kingdom and my heritage.” 

-Christine Frazier (she/her) ‘24, Intertribal Resource Center Student Assistant; SPACES NAISA Community Retention Coordinator 

#TritonStories #NAHM #NativeAmericanHistoryMonth

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 2,479
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- **Comments:** 39

## Credits

No public credits are recorded here. This does not identify who made the post.

## Tags

nativeamericanhistorymonth, tritonstories, nahm

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