Help ShiShayla Attend Aiglon College in Switzerland!

In Navajo culture, we think, plan, do, and reflect—guiding us towards harmony. As we prepare for ShiShayla to attend Aiglon College, I have two main goals: to support my daughter as she transitions to an international school and to inspire Navajo students to see themselves as successful and able to take advantage of any pathways and opportunities that come their way.

This GoFundMe campaign seeks to secure funding for me to accompany ShiShayla on her first international flight and move her into Aiglon College's residential program in Switzerland. ShiShayla completed her freshman year at Navajo Prep and was awarded a prestigious scholarship to pursue her International Baccalaureate Diploma at Aiglon College. This scholarship covers tuition, room and board, books, flights, and more. At Aiglon, she will study with students from around the world, engage in cultural immersion programs, and gain invaluable experiences.

Your support will help me to travel to Aiglon College to help set up ShiShayla at her new school. While at Aiglon College, I will meet with the staff and share our cultural foundations to ensure they can support ShiShayla and other Navajo Prep and Indigenous students.

This will be ShiShayla’s first time leaving the country, and I want to support her in this transition. I think of the time when she grew up without running water or electricity, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities my children have in front of them. I see her passion to learn more about global issues such as agricultural food demands, accessing clean water, conserving electricity, and improving medical practices.

As a mother, I am a part of our matriarchal Navajo systems. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our children is paramount. Sending ShiShayla to another country for her education introduces a whole new lifestyle, and I want to ensure she has a solid foundation. I want her to share our connection between Mother Earth and Father Sky with the world. Though I am scared, I strive to teach her courage in this ever-changing world. Letting her go is hard, but I believe she is capable and ready for this challenge.

By accompanying her to Switzerland, I will have the chance to see the culture, routines, and support systems that ShiShayla will experience during her time at Aiglon College. I want her to grow and share her knowledge with our communities. Our lifestyle and infrastructure differ significantly from theirs, but I hope this opportunity will empower her to contribute solutions to global issues. ShiShayla has always dreamed of experiencing education in another country, and this is my way of believing in her dream.

I am thankful for all the support we have received. It took our whole community to get to this point. I appreciate the hard work and dedication and am grateful to everyone who has been a part of this process and impacted ShiShayla.

Please support us in helping me travel with ShiShayla to drop her off at Aiglon College this August. ShiShayla will represent Diné Bikeyah in Switzerland. Thank you for your generosity and support.