In this episode of Native Circles, Dr. Farina King, co-editor of COVID-19 in Indian Country, talks with co-authors Dr. Amoneeta Beckstein and Dr. Tapati Dutta about their chapter, exploring the lived experiences of eight Native American college students during the pandemic. Drawing from semi-structured interviews, the chapter centers the students' voices as they navigate the challenges of COVID-19—illuminating themes of historical trauma, mental health struggles, and educational disruptions rooted in colonial legacies. Yet, amid these hardships, stories of resilience or "reziliency," cultural strength, and community support arise. In this conversation, the authors reflect on their perspectives as researchers and underscore the students’ expressions of survivance, collectivistic coping, and cultural healing.

Dr. Amoneeta Beckstein is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Fort Lewis College whose work focuses on multicultural counseling, mindfulness, and decolonizing psychology to promote healing for BIPOC and Indigenous communities. He previously directed the Counseling Center at Webster University Thailand and brings a creative approach to mental health, including poetry and advocacy. Dr. Tapati Dutta is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Fort Lewis College with over 25 years of experience in global health, focusing on health disparities and community-based interventions for marginalized populations. She is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist and a TEDx speaker recognized for her work in HIV prevention and compassionate public health education.

Resources:

Amoneeta Beckstein and Tapati Dutta, "Lived Experiences of Native American College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic," in COVID-19 in Indian Country: Native American Memories and Experiences of the Pandemic, eds. Farina King and Wade Davies (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), 121-143.

Amoneeta Beckstein professional profile website; and Amoneeta's Researchgate

TEDx Talk "Life Lessons via Cannibals, Sex Workers & Marginalized People," TEDx Indianapolis Women.

Undergraduate Research Talk "The Radical Potential of Community Research by Tapati Dutta."

"Translation and assessment of encultured meaning of the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Diné bizaad (Navajo) using community-based participatory action research methods."

"Students’ COVID-19 vaccine behaviors, intentions, and beliefs at a US Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI)."

"College leadership decisions and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: an elite interview study."

Teaching Innovations

Spotlight on COVID-19: An Interview with Dr. Tapati Dutta, MCHES®, by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing

Evolution of storytelling pedagogy in global health course at a U.S. Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution from Fall 2019 to Spring 2023

Fort Lewis College’s Virtual Inte