Article Summary –
Jaydee Weatherwax, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, will become one of the first Native Americans to earn a master’s degree in social work from Carroll College, with the college planning its first-ever graduation drumming ceremony in her honor. Weatherwax’s journey was challenging, involving overcoming past trauma, self-doubt, negative experiences with therapy, and the intimidation of attending a predominantly non-Native college. After graduation, she plans to continue her career in social work in Missoula, hoping to be an example for others in her community.
Jaydee Weatherwax Becomes One of the First Native Americans to Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Carroll College
Blackfeet Tribe member, Jaydee Weatherwax from Browning, is set to be one of the first Native Americans to earn a master’s degree in social work from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. The college will honor her achievement with its first-ever graduation drumming ceremony during this Saturday’s spring commencement. Weatherwax’s higher education journey was marked by overcoming past trauma and self-doubt.
Weatherwax shared her experiences with the Montana Free Press, saying, “I’ve always been negatively impacted by exposure to domestic violence, drugs, and alcoholism from loved ones.” A negative encounter with a therapist from the Indian Health Service in high school initially turned her away from therapy, but she decided to give it another shot in 2015.
Working as a behavioral specialist for the Great Falls Public School District, Weatherwax connected with a student whose traumas mirrored her own. This encounter awakened her to the lasting impact of childhood exposure to difficult situations. It was then she decided to pursue a career in counseling and therapy.
She earned an associate’s degree in chemical dependency counseling and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Salish Kootenai College. Encouraged by her family and peers, Weatherwax decided to pursue a master’s degree and applied to the program at Carroll College.
Despite initial fears due to Carroll’s small Native population, Carroll College proved to be a supportive learning environment. Associate Professor Erin Butts, who assisted Weatherwax with the application process, acknowledged the college’s efforts to be more welcoming to Native students, but admitted there’s still much progress to be made.
Carroll College’s social work master’s program was recently accredited and received grants from the Montana Healthcare Foundation and Indigenous Collaborations, which funded tuition for three Indigenous students, including Weatherwax.
James Petrovich, Chair of the Department of Social Work and Director of the Master’s Program at Carroll, lauded Weatherwax’s influence and contribution to the program. “Jaydee is paving the way for a supportive environment where students can pursue their dreams of being a social worker,” he said.
Carroll College’s spring commencement on Saturday, May 11, will celebrate the school’s 265 graduating students. Following graduation, Weatherwax plans to continue her career in social work in Missoula. “I hope I can be an example to others from back home and throughout Indian country,” she said.
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