Federal Law Enforcement Academy accepts Northern Cheyenne member

Federal Law Enforcement Academy accepts Northern Cheyenne member

By Clara Caufield

Native Sun News Today Correspondent

Ariel Rodriguez, 29 years old ( photo courtesy)

 

Ariel Rodriguez, 29 years old, enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe is well on the way to making history, one of few tribal female accepted to the Federal Law Enforcement Academy to become a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.  Upon graduation, she will work for the U.S. Forest Service, working in the National Park system.

This accomplishment comes on the heels of being a wildland firefighter for many years, one of few females in a male dominated and very physically demanding profession. “I think I can step up and do a little more than that,” she says confidently.

Areil is proud to present herself as a strong and resilient indigenous woman, with a polyglot heritage:  Northern Cheyenne; Mississippi Choctaw and Mexican, though from her life experience she identifies primarily as a Northern Cheyenne.

Ariel speaks fondly of her Grandfather, Leroy Whiteman, Northern Cheyenne, her personal source of inspiration. “He always loved his family; had pride in what he had accomplished and wanted to make sure the family understood the possibilities and opportunities that were out there. He was an Air Force Golden Glove All-Service Champion Boxer, artist, a spiritual leader, a talented rider, trainer, and owner of champion Indian Relay teams and much more.

His first grandchildren were all boys, individuals who he could relate to and pass down the wealth of knowledge and life lessons, including Sun Dance and other ceremonies which he learned from my Great-grandfather Wesley Whiteman, who was a highly respected tribal ceremonial man.  Grandpa taught the boys how to defend themselves, work and appreciate horsemanship, and learn to love the land and its people.

As the first Granddaughter. I wanted to be a part of his world, hearkening to his teachings, respecting him. But I was too young, fragile, or far behind riding horses the wrong way, not old enough or experienced to understand that way of life, or improperly picking fights with the boys.

Little did my grandpa know that even if I was not participating, I was observing, adapting, and learning from behind. For this reason, I have learned to fight for where I stand today. I worked hard for my position gaining a competitive spot within Region 1 of the U.S. Forest Service as a Federal Officer. Though Grandpa is now in the spirit world, I like to think he knows this.”

Ariel’s experience has entailed five years as a Wildland firefighter on the Lolo National Forest, after graduating with honors from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.  While attending Fort Lewis College, Ariel stayed with the Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell family, serving as their baby-sitter.  “Areil has always been an outstanding young person,” Campbell noted. “She has not only competed with men in a tough profession but outcompeted them.  In addition to that, she is a beautiful, charming, and truly kind young lady.  A fine model of a Northern Cheyenne woman.”

During her wildlands firefighting career, Aerial spent endless personal time and long hours with Ride Alongs with Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Structure Fire, and other Law Enforcement Agencies around the Region. She applied for and received an internship through Environmental for Americas, one of the first in her field to compete and achieve in this program, accomplished a reputation and respect from peers who gave outstanding references. She was one of the tough guys doing the work needed to get things done.

Ariel now looks forward to six months of field training in Glynco, Georgia: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) which agencies throughout the U.S. uses to provide career-long training to law enforcement professionals, helping them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently.  This young woman now faces a long road of challenging obstacles as a female Federal Officer.  “I am looking forward to that,” she lightly laughed.

The job will entail covering over three million acres of National Forest System Lands, making several contacts with the public and community. She will collaborate, educate, arrest, and investigate in a field setting. In addition, be a first responder to the public needs and protect the National Forest System Lands and its resources.

Among other things, her past and current training will enable Ariel to reinforce techniques, tactics, survival mindset, and knowing common law, martial arts, defense tactics, being knowledgeable about court cases and related subject matters. Of course, that will require excellence in gunmanship, associated such Justice and Treasury use of force policy. To graduate, all the related exams must be passed, field training and physical standards to FLETC’s requirements.

“So even though my grandpa did not recognize this while here on earth, I took his lessons and made them into my own. I fought for where I am today and continue to fight for success and my future. I continue to fight the stereotypical Native American perspective and to stand out as an unusual indigenous female in a man’s world. I have used his same teaching in protecting the land and its resources, I continue to fight for the right to be in my position. I do have my own horse for the job, and most importantly I paint a picture that is worth the difference of a change of being a strong, independent, resourceful, and resilient Native American women with something to show.”

Stay tuned for the graduation photo.

 

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com).

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