By Dorcella Three Irons-Eastman, Little Big Horn College, Mathematics Instructor
2024-2025 Indigenous Visionaries Fellow
I am Apsaalóoke by blood and emotion; I was raised by two women and a man who taught me the basics of life, the riches of my culture and allowed me to grow from it. As a child I grew up between two homes. In my paternal grandmother’s home, I was her oldest granddaughter. My Kaala (grandmother) was my source of comfort, food, emotion, and compassion. She lived in the Little Horn Valley on River Road in Dunmore, Montana. My parents, my daddy and momma, gave me hard work, perseverance, and strength. Their home was a horse and cattle ranch in Big Horn Valley where they both worked. With the knowledge of these two places and three humans I became who I am.
My life was never poor, I had the riches of family. Yes, some days I ate sugary rice soup with a slice of homemade bread covered in butter, but never once did I think I was poor. From this life I learned what I needed to be me.
I graduated high school, went to college, and got my undergraduate degree. I got married and had a son according to the norm.
Although my daddy showed me the value of hard work such as bucking bales and raising livestock, my inner strength came from the women.
At different points in my life, I reflected on what I considered to be Indigenous women’s leadership, and I saw myself at all stages of life.
I learned from a woman how to stand as a child, cook myself a meal, drive a truck, and sew my clothes I learned from a woman.
I learned from a woman how to become a teenager who understood that sports and rodeo were not getting me anywhere. So, I read more books.
I learned from a woman how to enter adulthood. I became employed, raised a child, and understood that failure was okay.
As I interviewed myself and reflected on who I am today, one thing continued to build in my mind…Yesterday is behind me, I can’t get it back!
Who I am and being an Indigenous Visionary fellow has given me more knowledge to continue to move forward! Through the strength demonstrated by others, I know I can continue to move forward. These women continue to uplift the Indigenous leader within me!
Crow Fair Parade 1972 with Dorcella Eastman and mother Mary Three Irons.
Little Big Horn College 1991 Graduation Ceremony in Crow Agency, Montana. From left to right, mother Mary Three Irons, Dorcella Eastman, father Gale Three Irons Senior and grandmother Louse Three Irons.
Catholic Church Reception Hall 1995 with grandmother Louise Three Irons and Dorcella Eastman.
