Biography

Kelly Leah Stewart (Luiseno/Gabrielino-Tongva) is a current doctoral student in the Educational Leadership Joint Degree Program at the University of California, San Diego and California State University, San Marcos. She earned her Master of Arts in American Indian Studies from UCLA in 2018, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Kelly’s master’s thesis, (Re)writing and (Re)righting California Indian Histories: Legacies of Saint Boniface Indian Industrial School, 1890 to 1935 provided a multigenerational examination of the Southern California Indian Boarding School experience at Saint Boniface Indian Industrial School. Her research provided a overview of American Indian education in California, a review of the history of Saint Boniface, and looked at the ways that California Indians retained, adapted and revitalized their cultural connections and familial ties. While at UCLA, Kelly was a member of the American Indian Graduate Student Association, Graduate Student Representative on the Native Graduation Celebration committee, and Graduate Student Representative on the M.A. Admissions committee. Kelly’s involvement in student life has continues as a doctoral student, and she is currently a principal member of UCSD’s American Indian Science and Engineers Society.