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“Going back to school got me to explore my talent. I never knew I could write.”—Dulbert Yazzie, IAIA Graduating Senior








“I would like to be a role model for other mothers.”—Velencia Tso-Yazzie, IAIA Graduating Senior

By ELENA HIGGINS

SANTA FE—“When you get educated you lose your common sense,” are the words Velencia Tso-Yazzie’s father spoke to her and her siblings at a young age. “What he meant was for us to always remember home,” she said.

The 31-year old-mother, and her husband, Dulbert Yazzie, 31, are expecting their fourth child in June. They graduate at the end of this semester, completing three years at IAIA with a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing.

Velencia and Dulbert worked together for many years in Phoenix, Ariz., as iron workers, turning steel into swimming pools. “We have been together for ten years and still do that on weekends to help our finances,” Velencia said.

They left work at the beginning of 2001 to attend the college. “One day I got a scholarship from the Navajo Nation to attend Diné College, Tsaile,” she said. “I rang Dulbert and asked, ‘Do you want to go to school with me? I will pay for your education.’” Velencia was pregnant when they started their education. They double majored in liberal and fine arts, and both finished their courses with honors.

Making Important Moves

“At the start I was a little hesitant in (pursuing) education as it had been a while being back in school,” Dulbert said. “I didn’t think I was education material. The one thing that helped me the most was going back to my homeland. That gave me the confidence of going to Diné College by re-taking Navajo language courses and our cultural history. I got straight A’s, which surprised me.”

Their Diné College mentors, Anna Lee Walters and Irvin Morris, both writers, helped the development of their creative side. “They recommended for us to go to IAIA for creative writing,” Velencia said.

Starting their new adventure at IAIA in Fall 2005, the Yazzie family moved to Santa Fe. Dulbert and Velencia’s main concern was how the children would adjust from the reservation to city lifestyle. “It was the best choice we have ever made for our family,” Velencia said. “Our kids have benefited from moving out of the reservation, getting better education and health services. Everything we have here, we could not get on the reservation.”

Finances have been another stress for the full-time students. “It has been hard financially and having time for the family,” said Velencia. “We saved our money for a couple of months’ rent to come here and also applied for scholarships.”

“We Don’t Want to Leave!”

The couple has done very well at IAIA, and made many adjustments and sacrifices. “I was very nervous and did not think that I could fit in. However, Evelina Lucero, Jon Davis, and Arthur Sze made us feel very comfortable,” Dulbert said. “They had patience with us and that allowed us to grow. That is one of the great things about IAIA as it is a close knit community.”

“The cultural diversity has been great,” Velencia said. “We have met people from Japan and Alaska, and learned many things about them, and that was exciting. We love it here. We love IAIA, and we don’t want to leave!”

A main goal for Velencia and Dulbert is to go back to the reservation and teach. “Knowing (that) one student is able to express themselves in their writing, and that I have been instrumental to help them get there, is very inspiring,” Dulbert said.

The couple hopes to go to New Mexico State University or the University of New Mexico in the spring to complete a master of fine arts degree in fiction writing.

In the meantime, they are very busy balancing family, study, finances and work. “We don’t have a fixed schedule. However, we have to compromise. We know we need to do this, and it is worth it,” Dulbert said.

Role Models for Others

Velencia added, “I don’t want to give up on school, nor do I want Dulbert to. It is something we have to do. I want our kids to grow up in a stable home. I want them to look up to us and continue their schooling.”

Velencia grew up on the Navajo Nation in Chinle, raised by her grandmother. Dulbert’s family moved off the Navajo Nation to Phoenix when he was five years old. “I felt a sense of losing my (Diné) identity growing up in the city. Going back to the reservation and attending a tribal school was a big difference in my life,” he said. “I was able to explore myself and to reconnect with my culture, language, and history, which was very important as it gave me a sense of pride.

“I have to thank Velencia as she got me back into school. Going back to school got me to explore my talent. I never knew I could write. That is one of the best things that has come out. What has been important for me is being a role model for my family, and other students.”

“I would like to be a role model for other mothers,” Velencia said. “People always ask me how I do it, especially now that I am pregnant. I hear people say I can’t go back to school, (that) I am married, but it depends on the person—if they make it possible or impossible. I say it is possible!”

 

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