Native Bruin: Past, Present, & Future – Lorenzo Baca

Bruin Highlight: Past, Present & Future This February 2024 we are highlighting Native Bruin Lorenzo Baca, class of 1986. Lorenzo Baca describes himself as a “story-making visual, literary and performing CIMOC (creative Indigenous man of color) artist, of an endangered species along with Puebloan and Spanish origins,” which is his primary cultural identity. Although raised … Read more

Native Bruin: Past, Present & Future – Avory Wyatt

Bruin Highlight: Avory Wyatt

This January 2024 we are highlighting Native Bruin Avory Wyatt (Wašiw & Nümu) class of 2023. Avory Wyatt is Wašiw (Washo) and Numu (Northern Paiute) and a member of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. Before entering higher education, Avory grew up on the Hungry Valley Reservation which is located about thirty minutes outside of Reno, Nevada. … Read more

Native Bruin: Pat, Present & Emerging -David Montoya

David Montoya

This December we are highlighting Native Bruin David Montoya (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo), Class of 2009 – Juris Doctorate, Masters American Indian Studies.  David Montoya is an enrolled member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and has been serving Indian Country as an attorney and consultant for over 10 years. David graduated from UCLA School of Law’s … Read more

Native Bruin: Past, Present & Emerging – Angelo Isaac Sandoval

Angelo Isaac Sandoval

This November we are highlighting Native Bruin, Angelo Isaac Sandoval  (Apache/Dine) Class of 2009. Angelo Isaac Sandoval is a staff attorney and clinical supervisor with the Clean Slate Practice at the East Bay Community Law Center through UC Berkeley’s School of Law. He leads the work to end the criminalization of poverty, advocates for the … Read more

Native Bruin: Past, Present & Future – Matthew de Lira

This October we are highlighting Native Bruin Matthew de Lira Class of 2007 and Class of 2011. Matt started college at Chapman University in Orange, California. There he took American Indian history, anthropology, film, and sociology classes under Professor Paul Apodaca (a Native Bruin, UCLA Ph.D.) Matt then transferred to UCLA and graduated with the … Read more

Native Bruin: Past, Present & Future – Jennifer R. Leal

Jennifer R. Leal

This September we are highlighting Native Bruin Jennifer R. Leal from the Washoe and Paiute tribal community, Class of 2005. Jennifer R. Leal is a descendant of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and Mono Lake Paiute tribal communities. She graduated from UCLA in 2005 with a bachelor of arts degree in American Indian … Read more

Native Bruin – Past, Present & Emerging – Christie Michelle Poitra

Christie Michelle Poitra

This August we are highlighting Native Bruin Christie Michelle Poitra, Class of 2010. Dr. Christie Michelle Poitra graduated from UCLA in 2010 with a Master of Arts degree in American Indian Studies. As a first-generation college graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Educational Policy from Michigan … Read more

Native Bruin – Past, Present & Emerging -Shayna Powless (Oneida Nation)

Shyna Powless

This July we are highlighting Native Bruin Shayna Powless from the Oneida Nation, Class of 2016. Shayna Powless is a professional cyclist for DNA Pro Cycling and a member of the USA Track National Team. She is also a USA Cycling Certified Coach and Dream Catcher Foundation co-founder, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Native youth … Read more

Native Bruin- Past, Present, & Emerging – Nina Stanton (Tule River Indian Reservation)

Nina Stanton

This May we are highlighting Native Bruin, Nina Stanton (Tule River Indian Reservation) class of 1997. Nina Stanton is Yokuts from the Wukchumni and Chukchansi tribelets of the Tule River Indian Reservation. She is a 1997 UCLA graduate who earned a BA in history, and a minor in American Indian Studies. Nina began her studies at … Read more