Halito,

My name is Asa “Ace” Samuels. I am a member of The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and descendant of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

I am a Junior at the University of Oklahoma, and I am pursuing my major in biology for wildlife conservation and a minor Native American Studies for cultural preservation. I plan to utilize my education towards wildlife conservation with an Indigenous perspective and cultural preservation of Tribal Nations in sacred land.

I am the Cultural Affairs Chair for the American Indian Student Association (AISA) and student coordinator of the OU Spring Powwow. I am AISA Indigenous Royalty as Mr. Indigenous OU for the 2022-2023 academic year.

I am an active brother and member of Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma, the only Native fraternity at OU. I am a cohort of the Genomics and Ethics Program for Native Students (GEN) and cohort of The McNair Scholars Program. I am a member of The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).

As an active Native student at the University of Oklahoma, my goals and educational experiences are vital to my academic success. My goals include engaging in wildlife conservation for the health of our planet and implementing a holistic approach that tribal people have been practicing for thousands of years. I am also an advocate of educating others on the significance of climate change with an Indigenous Perspective. This is possible without an educational background, but my educational experiences help me better understand the life processes that we endure every day. I believe that taking specific classes for my field of study and being a part of multiple organizations, educates and trains me into thinking in an ethical and logical way. Being successful in academia is important but even more so as a Native student. Tribal representation and Indigenous inclusion are needed in every field of academia.

Hohou,

Asa Samuels