Shobe Britton ('25, Child Development & Family Relationships and Native American Studies)

SHOBE BRITTON KEEPS BUSY. A born athlete and scholar, she is enrolled in 18 units as a double major in Child Development & Family Relationships and Native American Studies with a minor in American Indian Education as well. She’s been on the honor roll since her freshman year, was named to the dean's list three times, and was a presidential scholar last year.

A member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes (Yuki and Wailaki), she has been named a bilingual scholar for speaking Kin-nis-t’e, the Wailaki language. She’s a traditional dancer and travels with the Round Valley Feather Dancers.

She’s a youth leader, works with the Indian Tribal & Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP) at the University, and also works with her uncle’s nonprofit organization Native Health in Native Hands, which focuses on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and giving non-Indigenous people perspective into Native practices.

“I love the feeling of pride and accomplishment that comes with doing something well,” she says. “It reminds me that I genuinely care about what I’m doing.”

Family is Everything

“I’m the youngest of seven, with four brothers and two sisters. And I have a lot of cousins. I’m very family oriented—I love working with kids and seeing them do well.

I moved to Humboldt in 2020, the first year of school during the pandemic. My dad wanted me to stay home because classes were online. I felt the need to leave the reservation—not to leave my people but to see outside that world and bring my people with me. At Humboldt I found a family in ITEPP, helping the Indigenous community. I was raised heavily in my culture, which is lucky. Native people have a lot of intergenerational trauma not far removed. We need to know our history so we don’t repeat it.”

Helping the Next Generation

“I want to be a role model for youth in my community. I see myself as a representative of my people and my family. I want to go far, but I want the next generation to go even farther. After I graduate, I want to return home and open up more opportunities for young people off the reservation, so they can do what they want with their lives. My grandma was a Humboldt alumna, and I hope to pave the way for my nieces and nephews like she did for me.”

Ambassadorship through Sports

“I’ve been playing sports since I could pick up a bat. I played basketball, softball, volleyball, and baseball, and I did cheerleading for my mom and sister. I wouldn’t have done it if they didn’t want me to, but it’s funny because I became captain.

I’ve embraced the student-athlete lifestyle—though the student comes first. When I was young I would travel a lot for sports. My father always told me that when I leave my house, I’m representing my family. So I always think before I act and consider how it reflects not just on me but my family.”

Finding Balance

“My culture teaches me to focus on my mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional balance—if one is out of balance, the others will be as well. I rely a lot on my dad to keep me grounded. Especially being away from my community up here.

When I was young I was taught about the importance of living in two worlds. By living completely in one you can become fully assimilated, though by doing that you risk putting your culture in a position of being abused. The balance between the two is crucial. Not a lot of people have that benefit and understand the hardships of moving off the reservation and going to college. It's hard being away from your roots and your people but I know the only reason I'm still here is because of their love for me. And because of that, I believe in living in harmony.”