We are pleased to announce that Dominique Badajoz has been awarded the 2023 Dr. Michelene Pesantubbee Religion and Social Justice Scholarship. Badajoz, a UI first-generation senior, majors in art and minors in informatics and Native American and indigenous studies. She has served as the president for the Native American Student Association during the 2019–2020 school year and the coordinator for the University of Iowa’s Annual Powwow since 2019.
According to Badajoz: “We have seen a rise in students who are interested in the Powwow and the continuation of the student organization on campus with its connection to Iowa City’s community to bring knowledge and understanding of the Indigenous customs across the nation.”
The annual powwow has been hosted by the University of Iowa’s Native American Student Association for 26 years, and has become one of the biggest powwow’s in the state of Iowa. Visitors come from all over the Midwest to for this one-day event, where an estimated 10 tribal nations participate each year; some coming from as far as Washington State.
Congratulations Dominique, and thank you for your leadership in the preservation and advancement of Native Communities!
About the scholarship
In 2022 a scholarship was established in memory of Professor Emeritus Michelene E. Pesantubbee, who served on University of Iowa Religious Studies faculty from 2003 until her retirement in 2018. According to Professor Morten Schlütter, Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, “When Michelene passed away, her colleagues felt a strong need to make sure that her contributions to the university and her concern with religion and social justice, and especially Native American rights, would have a lasting impact, and this scholarship is one way to ensure that Michelene’s legacy will continue.” The department holds Dr. Pesantubbee in our memory by sharing this scholarship with deserving students each year.