Metropolitan State University of Denver

Christina Maxine Sigala

Personal Biography Statement

BIOGRAPHY

Christina M. Sigala, MSW, MAR ~ Email: selim@mscd.edu
I have taught for many years at Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSCD) in the departments of Political Science (Intro to Native American Studies) and our Social Work Department where I taught on-line (Human Behavior and Social Environment). My life passions are: my family, restorative justice and human rights, teaching and helping people. I have learned so much from all students. I worked for two years as the Interim Associate Director for Women’s Studies and Services at MSCD. My previous employment experiences was as a Program Manager for an awesome youth center, The Spot, and a Clinical Therapist for the Miracles Program, a court ordered female offenders treatment program where some clients were dual diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Educational Biography

My academic history began on this campus at the Community College of Denver in 1992 where I transferred 6 credits from CCD to MSCD and completed a degree in Human Services in 1996. From 1996 to 2002 I completed a joint-Masters Degree with the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, and the Iliff School of Theology (Concentration in Justice and Peace Studies). I was honored to receive a Richard T. Castro Fellowship from the University of Denver. I have co-chaired for two years the Richard T. Castro Visiting Professorship at MSCD http://www.mscd.edu/news/castro/ .
I have written the grants for the last four years for the Lalo Delgado Poetry Festival for our Chicana/o Studies Department. Lalo Delgado was Denver's first poet lauerate, and a Chicano scholar, and was a professor of Chicana/o Studies for over seventton years. http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/artman/publish/poetry_twv5040908.shtml . In spring 2009, I was the faculty advisor for the Auraria Society for the Advancement of Native Americans and Chicanos in Science (SACNAS) http://www.sacnas.org/ . In spring 2009, I assisted in the completion of a MSCD Diversity Initiative Grant: The Dance of the Flower Medicine: Danza Xochitl Pahtli – Mexican/Chicano Health Symposium http://www.reneefajardo.com/events.html
I was an Advisor for the Journey Program, at MSCD under the auspicious helm of Professor Helen Giron, a professor in the MSCD Chicano Studies Department http://www.mscd.edu/president/hsi/assets/docs/proposals/heritage.pdf .

Personal

For over 35 years I have been a strong Human Rights advocate and activist. I have passed this tradition of Civil Rights work to my granddaughter Aysia (Flowering Robe) and we will teach my first grandson, Davi Jr, (Peaceful Hawk), and my new granddaughter Rhian(She Who Stands by the Moon) the importance of supporting Human Rights Work. I believe strongly in the preservation of indigenous ceremonies, and culture both for my Mexican and Native lineage. I have two brilliant son's Davi and Jevon that are caring and compassionate. We have a strong family support system. Mitakuye Oyasin (We Are All Related)

Conference Participation

Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart
When: Nov 2, 2009 - 10 to 2pm
Where: Tivoli - Room 320
Time: 9am registration
Limited Seating Available Please Email: selim@mscd.edu

Current Projects

Preparing for the 5th Annual Lalo Delgado Poetry Festival to be held April 24, 2012, at St Cajetans Event center from 10 to 3pm. Free Poetry Workshops for college and high School students. Cafe Cultura and Journey Through Our Heritage Program will collaborate with the workshops.

Committee Members are needed: Please email: selim@mscd.edu

Courses Taught

CHS-1000

Current Semester Schedule