By Trinity Moran, Bay Mills Community College, Information Technology Systems Coordinator
2024-2025 Indigenous Visionaries Fellow
Trinity and her son at his first powwow in Marquette, Michigan.
My name is Trinity Moran, and my Ojibwe name is “Waabishka Waagosh Ikwe,” White Fox Woman. My family is Wolf Clan from Bay Mills, Michigan. My Anishinaabe homelands are on the shores of Lake Superior, next to Canada. As a young girl, I remember going to work with my father for the cultural department of Bay Mills Indian Community, my tribal nation. At that time, the cultural department was home to our Anishinaabe Language Program at Bay Mills Community College (BMCC). I remember attending the language classes along with my father. The elder teachers would call me “kwesehns”, or little girl in Ojibwe. This is when my tribal college, BMCC, became a part of my life.
During my childhood, I experienced traumatic events that had a lasting impact on me. I have become very passionate about Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Intergenerational trauma has made life difficult in my tribal nation. Despite these hurdles, I pursued my education and graduated high school in 2019 as a salutatorian.
After high school, I left foster care. At that time I was uncertain of what career choice I would persue. At first, I wanted to study social work to help others like me. I decided to stay in Bay Mills and attended BMCC for my Associate of Applied Science in computer information systems (CIS). The staff and faculty at BMCC have been wonderful and encouraged me to apply for scholarships with the American Indian College Fund (College Fund). The financial support from the College Fund enabled me to survive on my own; I really do not know where I would be without it. The College Fund has supported me as a student to stay in school.
In 2021, my advisor encouraged me to apply for an administrative assistant position at BMCC. Amazingly, I was hired. I knew the skills I learned from the CIS program would benefit me immensely, and this position showed me how I could support my tribal college.
After obtaining my degree in CIS, I was able to apply for an Information Technology (IT) Systems Coordinator position at BMCC. This position has been a dream come true because it is a perfect career match for me.
In 2023, BMCC created a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems program. I immediately began taking courses for this degree. I also had my son in October of 2023, and continued to apply for College Fund scholarships. I was awarded the Computer Science Scholarship at BMCC. Being a new mother, I am grateful to receive continued support for my education. It made me feel valued to know that the College Fund recognizes the hard work of BMCC students. The College Fund has provided me with so much support via networking events and caring for BMCC staff.
In August of 2024, BMCC President Bedell shared the Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership Program application with the staff. The program appealed to me because of the support it provided. As an Indigenous woman, I felt that the networking skills and professional tools would help grow my career. I applied and was granted the opportunity to join. The Indigenous Visionaries program has been nothing short of incredible. The College Fund has shown me a network of Indigenous women who are succeeding wonderfully, and I am proud to be a fellow under the program. We are taught new leadership skills during every monthly virtual connection. The self-care teachings and guidance have helped me to carry myself as a strong, Indigenous woman.
Trinity has participated in the College Fund’s Computer Science Program and Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership Program.
