Disabled Student Programs & Services

Claudia Walker

Instructional Support Specialist, II
Alternative Media Coordinator
707.465.2350
Email: claudia-walker@redwoods.edu

Khwe-Khwe (Hello in Wyandotte).  My name is Claudia Walker.  I am a native Californian, a native “Del Norter” (being raised on the south bank of the Smith River at “Walker Hole”) and a Native American.  I am an enrolled member of the Wyandotte Nation (Turtle clan-on my maternal side).  Wyandottes are more recognized as “Hurons.” Mixed in with Wyandotte to make a nice homogenous blend is Chippewa-Cree (on my maternal grandfather’s side), and English, French, Irish and Scotch (on my mother and father’s side).  My Indian name is O Nugh Sa Utch Ke  (Squash Woman).  This name evolved from my mom calling me squash blossom when I was a small child.

I guess you could say along with being “parts of many”, I also wear “many hats” here at College of the Redwoods, Del Norte.  A portion of my work week is spent as an Instructional Support Specialist in the Computer Lab and another portion is spent in the Disability Resource Lab (DRC).  The absolute best aspect of these two different but similar jobs is my direct contact with students.  I love to watch their growth and success.  I came to College of the Redwoods as a re-entry student and can relate to our students’ struggles and their feelings of accomplishment.

Another part I love about working at CRDN is my role as one of the advisors for the Native American Club (NAC) at CRDN.  I really enjoy being involved with the Native American students.  It is very important to me to expose CRDN’s Native American students to other Native American individuals who are traditional, culturally strong and at the same time educated.  I believe for today’s Native American to be strong for themselves, their families and their tribe they need to be able to “walk in both worlds” with confidence.

Outside of my work here at CR I am a homebody.  I love being at home with my partner, John.  Our son Zach and his wife Shawn-Tay (Naa-svt-tre) have given me two beautiful grandbabies—Zane and Deziree. Zane and Deziree are my newest passions.  Everyday they amaze me with their boundless energy and curiosity!  They keep me moving, that’s for sure!  I see my new life role as being the best grandma I can be.  I also enjoy going to pow-wows, gardening, canning, camping, rustic-country decorating and all kinds of music.  I keep starting collections—along with my yellowware collection, I collect teapots, books, cow butter dishes, and brown or polar bears (not the real thing).  I can’t say I like dusting though!  Living without animals is unimaginable to me; consequently, I am surrounded by a menagerie of dogs, cats, goats, and ducks (my organic slug eradicators).

I feel I am very fortunate to be able to work at CRDN and be a part of this wonderful staff, to work with our CRDN students, and to live in Del Norte County which I believe is the most beautiful place on earth!
Students often ask me what the best way to succeed in school is and my answer is very simple—go to all your classes, listen to your instructor, do the required work to the best of your ability—and success will be yours!

You are always welcome to come speak with me.  If you have questions about CRDN I will be glad to answer them and if I can’t answer them I will be glad to refer you to the appropriate person.