2022-23 BTC Calendar: Corinne Martin

Centennial Scholar Corinne Martin (’23), a member of the Sappony tribe, is passionate about giving a voice to modern Native Americans that both celebrates and respects Native culture. “The majority of what schools teach is centered on the Colonial period, perhaps the Trail of Tears,” she says. “But by sharing my own stories and giving voice to other living Natives, I hope to make an impact on the generation ahead of me.” Martin is turning her passion into a career path by creating an independent major, supported by the Honors College. “I have felt very seen at JMU,” she says. “From my very first interview, I felt like they were seeing the potential in me.” Now, her tailored coursework will result in a one-of-a-kind degree in Native American History, Culture, and Narratives. “How amazing is it to create your own major? I am getting a degree in something I genuinely care about.”