At Front Range Community College, we honor Native American Heritage Month by celebrating the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples across the Americas. This story features a student of Mayan Qʼeqchiʼ heritage, whose perspective reflects the shared resilience and strength of Indigenous communities everywhere.
When Josefa Cuc Pop first came to the United States from Guatemala in 2009, she carried with her not just dreams of pursuing an education, but also the deep cultural roots of her Mayan Qʼeqchiʼ heritage.
Now studying for her associate degree in early childhood education at Front Range Community College, Josefa is using her journey to inspire others—as a mother, a student and a proud Indigenous woman.
A Living Culture
Josefa explained that her Indigenous identity remains an active, vibrant part of her life and not just a relic of the past.
“Everything is living culture. It is nothing that has gone away,” she says.
Community is a cornerstone of her upbringing and continues to shape her values today.
“The importance of community is big,” she says. “I had the honor of seeing that with my dad. He took me when they had to do harvesting. You take all your family or your friends. It’s a big community event.
Staying Connected
Now raising her children in Colorado, Josefa makes it a priority to keep her culture alive at home.
“As a mother, I share my culture with my kids,” she says. “I make sure that they know who I am. I took them back to where I come from so they can see. Some of my own language is something that I’m learning again.”
Despite being raised in a public orphanage, Josefa has worked hard to reconnect with her roots, and she passes that spirit of rediscovery on to her children.
A Journey Through Education
When she first arrived in the US 16 years ago, Josefa began studying English through FRCC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
“When I came to the United States, right away I knew that part of reaching my dreams and continuing with my education was learning English,” she says.
After completing her ESL studies, she continued her academic path, eventually enrolling at the college to study early childhood education, a field that reflects her passion for helping others.
“My dream is to be there for kids who can’t necessarily speak English or feel confused in the beginning,” she says. “When they hear somebody speaking their own language, it’s like, ‘Oh!’
“I want to be able to work in public school, and hopefully one day, be more involved in the community.”
Honoring Indigenous Identity
For Josefa, Native American Heritage Month is a time of reflection, one that holds both pride and complexity.
“For me, I have mixed feelings, because, obviously, it’s not a very easy topic sometimes,” she says. “But I think it’s important because there is something to learn about the importance of being brave, coming forward and using your voice to honor the people behind us.”
Her message is one of courage and authenticity, and it serves as a reminder that Indigenous identity is not confined by borders or simplified by history.
“It’s important to have a space for Indigenous persons in any setting and to learn about culture, including your own,” she says. “What is out there is sometimes misleading.”
Empowering the Next Generation
When asked what advice she would share with other Indigenous students beginning their educational journeys, Josefa speaks about confidence and self-belief.
“Just know that we’re capable. Sometimes I feel like, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t do that,’ or ‘I’m not capable,’ because that’s the story they tell you. You’re not supposed to be somebody. But you are capable of reaching good things, moving forward and embracing who you are as a person. Go for it.”
Celebrating Indigenous Resilience
Josefa’s story is one of perseverance and pride. It serves as a reflection of how Indigenous students continue to honor their heritage while shaping the future.
Through her studies, her motherhood and her deep connection to community, Josefa embodies the living legacy of Indigenous cultures that span the Americas, reminding us that heritage is not just remembered, but lived.
Events
FRCC’s Student Life team is celebrating Native American Heritage Month by bringing a production of The Thanksgiving Play to all three campuses from the company, Living Colored. The play centers around a group of four well-meaning but culturally insensitive theater artists who attempt to create a politically correct elementary school play about the first Thanksgiving while struggling with their own biases and the lack of Native representation.
Below are the dates, times and locations for each event.
Larimer Campus – November 10th, 11 AM – 1 PM at East-West Conference rooms (4616 S Shields St, Fort Collins, CO 80526)
Boulder County Campus – November 11th, 11 AM – 1 PM in the Community Room (2190 Miller Dr, Longmont, CO 80501)
Westminster Campus – November 12th, 11 AM – 1 PM in the Rotunda (3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031)
