Gabriel
Chippewa-Cree
Stone Child College

Gabriel is a 20-year-old student at Stone Child College in Montana who grew up living a traditional life on Rocky Boy Indian Reservation.

Gabriel learned to overcome many of life's obstacles, including being wheelchair-bound and having moderate cerebral palsy. “I have learned to accept my handicap, so I never let these things bring me down, because each time this disability gives me obstacles I always overcome them. I feel that God gave me a gift of intelligence and knowledge thus far. Hopefully those things take me a long way,” he says.

Gabriel plans to graduate with a general studies degree from Stone Child College, then transfer to the University of Montana to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science. He would like a career in software design, or to teach on the Rocky Boy Reservation. He uses his scholarship funds for tuition and college fees.

Gabriel takes pride in his education and goals, and says “I believe what the Crow chief Plenty Coups said: ‘With the white man's education we are his equal, without it we are his victim.'”