Affie Ellis
Cheyenne, WY USA
"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do."
Career Roadmap
Affie's work combines: Politics, Government, and Accomplishing Goals
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Search for networks that are like you and want to discuss your ideas. It's not only about creating a relationship with someone—you also want to keep growing those relationships. They can open doors for you. When people ask me for a favor, I say yes because I want to help them. I'm not expecting anything in return, but I know that saying yes also means I get to meet new people and that any new network channels created in the process are opened.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science and American Indian Studies
University of Wyoming
Doctorate
Law
University of Colorado
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in Jackson, Wyoming, as the youngest of four children to my parents, who are full Navajo.
2.
As a teenager, I would help my mom clean motel rooms as a summertime job—seeing the extra wealth the guests had made me curious about how my own life would turn out.
3.
I did an internship in high school with the Wyoming legislature—I discovered that I really enjoyed the political process, and used that passion to guide the rest of my career choices.
4.
I went to the University of Wyoming and earned my degree in political science and American Indian studies.
5.
After graduating, I worked for a senator who represented Wyoming and sat on the U.S. Senate Committees on Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural Resources—two issues I wanted to hone in on.
6.
I earned my law degree from the University of Colorado Law School—during this time, I was appointed to serve as director of congressional and public affairs for the National Indian Gaming Commission.
7.
After law school, I was appointed to serve on the Tribal Law and Order Commission.
8.
In 2016, I ran for the Wyoming Senate and won—I currently represent southwest Laramie County and am the first Native American to serve in the Wyoming Senate.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Who's raising your kids? Don't you feel guilty for being here?
How I responded:
I get comments like these—among others—that are essentially taking a stab at the fact that I'm a younger woman, a mother, or a Native American. Sometimes I'm able to respond bluntly but my temperament is usually to pause and process before responding. In these situations, I remind myself that there are things you can control and things you can't control. I can't control others' comments, so I typically just try to let it go and pray for them because they're just coming from a sad place.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I faced racism and prejudice growing up. When I went to school, my mother warned me not to tell anyone I was Native American because they'd look down on me. Things have changed over time and I don't feel the need to give my kids that same warning.
As a woman in a male dominated space, I get questions and comments about my life and my kids that my male counterparts do not. I just try my best to respectfully push back on some of those presumptions.