Sky Island InternMy name is Rosalyn Jackson and I am Laguna Pueblo and (Fort-Yuma) Kwatsan. I’m also of Middle Eastern-Iraqi (Arabic) descent, from my father’s side of the family. I was born in Shiprock, NM, and have lived and gone to school most of my life in New Mexico and Arizona. I currently reside in Chandler, AZ near the Gila River reservation. I am a Spring 2022 Sky Island Intern.
Currently, I am pursuing my Associates of Science in Life Sciences at Tohono O’ohdam Community College. My goal is to obtain a career in either Physical Therapy or Sports Medicine so that I can aid in human and/or animal rehabilitation. I’ve always had a passion for wildlife and the natural environment in which we live – and am thrilled for this opportunity to work on such an interesting native study!
I do have experience in identifying different animal and plant species of this region and have actually competed based on my knowledge of this subject through FFA (Future Farmers of America) in high school. I’m sure there is so much more I can learn about these topics through this study and I definitely want to acknowledge how sacred it is to come in contact with many of these animals and plant species in our area. I look forward to sharing what I learn through this internship with my family and my indigenous communities back home.
