Alumni Spotlight: Autumn White Eyes – A Journey Rooted in Culture, Community, and Education
Autumn White Eyes, a proud Lakota woman and a graduate of Maȟpíya Lúta, embodies the values of perseverance, cultural pride, and community support. Her journey, from her early days at Maȟpíya Lúta to becoming a leader in arts education and student success, is an inspiring testament to the power of cultural grounding and the transformative impact of education.
Autumn’s educational journey began in Pine Ridge, SD, where she attended Maȟpíya Lúta in kindergarten after her father, Roger White Eyes, earned his teaching license at Black Hills State University. As the youngest of four siblings—Thomas, Robert, and Angel, all of whom are Red Cloud alumni—Autumn was raised in a family deeply connected to the Lakota community. Her first experience with education was in Maȟpíya Lúta’s nurturing environment, where she remained through high school, graduating as the valedictorian of Red Cloud’s Class of 2010.
During her 11th-grade year, Autumn faced one of the most difficult challenges of her young life. Her Huŋka brother, Casey Zimiga, tragically passed away in a car accident. The loss shook the entire Maȟpíya Lúta community, and Autumn struggled to focus on her studies. In the face of profound grief, she found strength in the support of her parents and the counseling services at Catholic Social Services. Through therapy, she was able to heal, regain her focus, and graduate on time. This experience, though painful, helped her build resilience and taught her the importance of seeking help during difficult times—a lesson she carries with her today.
A Lifelong Connection to Lakota Culture
One of the most impactful aspects of Autumn’s time at Maȟpíya Lúta was the deep connection to her Lakota heritage. The school fostered an environment where she could embrace her identity, learn the Lakota language, and engage with cultural traditions. She was involved in the dance club from kindergarten through 8th grade, participated in the annual buffalo kill, and had the privilege of learning from elders like Philomene Lakota and Alvin Slow Bear. These teachings, which emphasized the importance of culture, language, and community, continue to guide her life today.
Autumn credits Maȟpíya Lúta with providing her a sense of belonging and pride in her Lakota identity. “I felt safe to be my authentic self,” she says. “Maȟpíya Lúta helped me stay grounded in who I am, and that’s something I took with me when I went off to college.”
College and Career: A Path to Arts and Education
After high school, Autumn attended Dartmouth College, where she majored in Native American Studies and English, concentrating in Creative Writing Poetry. While initially pursuing a pre-med track, she quickly realized that the rigorous 10-week terms at Dartmouth were not the best fit for her. Seeking support from tutors and mentors, she ultimately shifted her focus to the arts—a decision that would change the course of her career.
It was during her time at Dartmouth that Autumn attended an Alternate Roots Conference with Laree Pourier and competed at the Brave New Voices poetry slam. This experience ignited her passion for community arts, poetry, and the intersection of education and cultural expression. “It was the first time I could see myself in the community arts career field,” she recalls. “That moment really changed my trajectory.”
Autumn’s time at Dartmouth also involved an internship in partnership with Maȟpíya Lúta, where she learned about the intersection of nonprofits and education. This experience laid the groundwork for her future career in education and arts programming.
After completing her BA, Autumn continued her studies at Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a Master’s in Education (Ed.M.) in Arts in Education. Her work at Harvard focused on nonprofit education, trauma-informed care, and creating arts education programs—areas she remains passionate about today.
Autumn’s professional journey reflects her commitment to supporting Native communities and fostering educational equity. After Harvard, she worked as a consultant in curriculum development and led poetry and writing workshops. She also served as the Associate Director of Youth Development at First Peoples Fund, where she led youth arts programs focused on poetry, music, and creative expression.
Currently, Autumn works as a Program Officer for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) administrations with a focus on capacity building for student success. Her work involves supporting TCUs in developing and implementing strategies to improve enrollment, retention, and graduation rates through place-based and culturally sustaining practices. She finds inspiration in the work being done by tribal communities to ensure educational sovereignty and is deeply committed to helping these institutions thrive.
Although Autumn’s career has evolved toward educational advocacy, she remains deeply connected to the arts. She continues to write and perform poetry, recently sharing her work with NDN Girls Book Club in Rapid City and at the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with NDN Collective. She has had the honor of performing alongside artists like Tia Wood, Northside Baby, Stella Standing Bear, and Nevada Brave.
Her dream is to one day teach poetry and writing at the college level, continuing to inspire the next generation of creative voices.
Alumni Wisdom:
Reflecting on her journey, Autumn offers this piece of advice to current students and younger alumni: “Whatever pathway you take is valid. Not everyone has to follow the straight path to a four-year college degree. And if that’s your pathway, we will be cheering you on too. But if all you do is wake up today and try your best, that’s enough. Remember where you come from, your community, and the resources right here on the homelands.”
Autumn’s story is a powerful reminder that success is not defined by one path, but by the resilience, community support, and cultural grounding that guide us along the way. Her journey—from Maȟpíya Lúta to Dartmouth, from Harvard to her current work with TCUs—shows how the values instilled in her at Maȟpíya Lúta continue to shape her life’s work and the impact she has on Native communities.