Insights from RPCVs Briana Nezbah, Dennis Felipe Jr., and Jonathan Clark via Peace Corps Blogs
Service is one of the few things that asks something of every American and, in return, gives all of us a deeper “we.” That “we” must include the First Peoples of this land whose traditions of mutual care, knowledge-keeping, and stewardship predate the nation itself. Peace Corps has long benefited from Indigenous volunteers who carry those traditions into classrooms, clinics, and councils around the world—teaching, learning, and building relationships that honor both their Tribes and their host communities. People like Briana Nezbah Edmo (Navajo Nation; born for the Blackfeet and Shoshone-Bannock), who served in Tonga and wrote about “walking in five worlds” as an Indigenous woman and Volunteer, and others who have shared Indigenous-to-Indigenous connections from America to Zambia and beyond, are vivid reminders that service is strongest when every voice is present. Official data show that Native Volunteers are a small but present share of volunteers. Since 1961, nearly 250,000 Americans have served overall. It is estimated that fewer than 1% of Native volunteers have served. The total is likely in the low thousands.
Briana Nezbah Edmo (Navajo Nation; born for Blackfeet & Shoshone-Bannock): Education Volunteer in Tonga (2017–2019); reflects on her service.
“A highlight was being able to share my cultural heritage with my community during service. During Native American Heritage Month in my second year, I gave a presentation about my background to my students. I included photos of my family and Tongan translations. My co-teacher also helped translate my story for them. It was so much fun! At the end of the presentation, I taught my students how to say “Hello, good morning!” in Navajo, and for the rest of the week, they ran around yelling, “Hello, good morning!” in my native language. It’s one of my favorite memories.”
Growing up on the Pueblo of Acoma Tribal Reservation (AKA The Rez), Dennis Felipe Jr. sees connections to home through communities abroad.
“Going from life in my Native American tribe to life in an African tribe has made integrating very easy. It has made my service unique because their way of life is something I can relate to from my way of life back home. Living in Zambia is pretty close to living on “The Rez.” From the crack of dawn, there is somebody talking right next to your house that won’t let you sleep in. You try to finish your chores in the morning before it gets too hot. Then, in the afternoon, you can either finish the rest of your chores or try to hide in the shade to take a nap. There are way more children at your house than you can manage.”
“My proudest moment was recruiting Peace Corps staff and volunteers to participate in the Kyiv Pride March to demonstrate support to the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine. In previous years, there had been only three or four participants. Originally, we were only allowed to have 25 Volunteers participate because of safety reasons, but I recruited 36 Volunteers and staff. After a few meetings with our safety and security officer, we managed to develop a plan where everyone could participate. This was the largest Peace Corps delegation that had ever been able to go. Unfortunately, the Pride March had so much opposition that we didn’t get to finish and had to leave near the end. Despite that, I am still so very happy we participated. In the parade, I was waving a 6ft by 8ft rainbow flag and asking people to sign it. In a show of support, I was able to give it to a Ukrainian friend that identifies as LGBTQ+ but hadn’t come out to his family.”
Service is not a new idea—it is an ancient one, not about charity but about relationship. Today, when an Indigenous American raises their hand to serve abroad, they carry forward both a modern oath and an ancestral promise. Their footsteps connect the old paths of stewardship with new trails of global understanding. Let this be an invitation to all Americans—to see service not as an act apart from who we are, but as a reflection of our shared humanity. From the first caretakers of this land to those who now answer the call of the Peace Corps, each act of service adds another verse to the song of unity and purpose. May more voices join that song, and may it echo across every ocean, village, and homeland still waiting to be heard.