Finding Her Path: Susie Antelope’s Journey Back to School and Into Tribal Leadership
Finding Her Path: Susie Antelope’s Journey Back to School and Into Tribal Leadership
When Susie Antelope first saw a Facebook post about Central Wyoming College’s Bachelor’s in Applied Science in Organizational Management with a focus on Tribal Leadership, something sparked in her.
She hadn’t planned on going back to school. But after becoming three and a half years cancer-free, she knew it was time for a change.
“I thought it would be a good time,” she said. “I needed to find something different for myself. My first degree was in human services, and I started my career from there.”
Susie worked for the State of Wyoming, doing eligibility work for the Department of Family Services. Later, she served her tribal people with the Wind River Indian Reservation—first in probation, then social work, eventually rising to supervise both motor patrol and child protection.
But after overcoming cancer, Susie felt a deeper calling.
“I wanted to dream again,” she said. “So I came here to get my Bachelor’s degree.”
At CWC, she found a new path—and new purpose. She especially enjoys her Indigenous Studies classes, where she’s learning about Federal Indian Law and Tribal Governance.
Her instructor, Eric Bennett, played a big role in helping her transition back to student life.
“He knew where I needed more support as an older student and helped me with the technical side of things,” she said. “It’s been a huge transition—learning how to do everything digitally—but it’s been worth it.”
Susie’s journey has inspired her husband, a Marine veteran, to begin his own education at CWC.
“He went to the financial aid office and learned what his path could look like,” she said. “He’s using the GI Bill, which has great benefits for veterans.”
Susie encourages anyone—especially fellow tribal members—to take that first step.
“I’d encourage anyone interested in furthering their education to find their path,” she said. “Everybody wants to be a part of something great. And I think that gaining more education is key to decolonizing ourselves and protecting tribal sovereignty.”
For Susie, going back to school has meant more than career growth. It’s been a powerful process of self-reflection and cultural awakening.
“Through Native American Indigenous Studies, I’ve realized how far away we’ve gotten from knowing our own treaties and history,” she said. “Too often, the only people who understand these things are in academia—not the leaders we elect. That’s why I always encourage others to educate themselves.”
She believes this knowledge should be common and shared—not something we have to pay lawyers to explain to us.
“To truly decolonize, we have to take back that knowledge,” she said. “It should come naturally. It belongs to us.”
As Susie continues her studies at Central Wyoming College, she carries with her not just the strength of a cancer survivor—but the heart of a leader, ready to lift others up on the journey.