Counselor Jerry Lassos is helping Native American TJ students connect with their heritage.
New counselor Jerry Lassos helps students remember Native American heritage. Photo by Henna Danek
In Counselor Jerry Lassos’ office, there is a strong sense of Native American culture, and he is committed to helping students at TJ connect with their own Native American heritage.
“I want to bring awareness to students that Urban Native Americans live in the same existence, and not in the past,” said Lassos, who took two students to the National Indian Health Board Conference, September 23-25 at the Downtown Denver Sheraton. The students were Sophomore Julian Blackcrow and Freshman Angel Bordeaux-Contreras. The goal of these students was to use digital resources to do Digital Story Telling. The conference attendees used state-of-the-art cameras and editing programs to tell their stories. “Kids from all these different reservations were there, like Alaska and Arizona, and they all had powerful stories,” said Lassos.
According to Lassos, the purpose of the Digital Story Workshops was, “To connect generations, and see how family history is passed on.” Multiple tribes and cultures were represented at the conference and they all had a deep message to each video. “In the end, they wanted to convey that story telling is a great tool. Our grandparents’ grandparents saw history unfold, and we heard those stories at the conference. It was one of the coolest things we’ve seen,” said Lassos.
The conference was sponsored by Native Youth Track, which has given American natives – not only in the Denver-metro area but nationwide – a chance to connect with their culture. “With all the different reservations attending, it was a great dynamic at the conference. Each kid told his or her own story, and it was totally unique because everyone was a different background.In fact, my students looked at each other, wondering what they should talk about for their videos,” said Lassos.
The students were also introduced at the conference to the Ben Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building, and a panel that was performed there. “We saw a panel of American Indian Pharmacy Students and American Indian Dentistry Students discuss what their background was, and how this new Native-centered health building has helped them in their medical profession,” said Lassos, who also took part in the hands-on activity at the building. “We were given the chance to do a lab in which we dissected cow eyeballs. And I thought, why watch? I want to do this.” Lassos was additionally in awe of the art in the building. “I think I stopped and looked at every piece of art the building had. It was one of the greatest things I have ever been to,” said Lassos, who said he had an excellent experience with students at the National Indian Health Board Conference.
Lassos continues to help Native American students at TJ, as TJ has become an Indian-Ed focused school. “I not only help Native students connect with their environment and who they are in this urban environment,” said Lassos, “but I also help them prepare for college by giving them a personal connection.” Lassos also comes from an HGT background and finds the students here just as intelligent. “No only are they just as bright,” said Lassos, “but they are excellent artists, musicians, and athletes.” As Lassos’ students search for colleges, he also helps them with that process, as well. “I make a direct connection with the personnel at that school, and let them know who my student is. It helps them more with the transition, and I love seeing them succeed,” he said.
Lassos continues to help his students in any way he can. As he confirms about TJ, “I love being at TJ because it’s all about the kids here.”
