The Artist

My name is Shaydawn Autumn Pahe and I was raised in Gallup, New Mexico. I have one younger sibling and five older siblings. I am second to the youngest of my family and my tribe is Navajo (Diné). I have six siblings which include four sisters and two brothers. I was raised by a single mother along with my siblings, who I love very much. My oldest sister has been like a mom to me because she raised me like I was her own. My mom has taught me to follow my goals even if I struggle along the way. Of course, I would not be here without the support of my family and I thank them every day for what they've done for me. Junior year is when I realized that I wanted to get a degree in Cinematic Arts and Technology.

I would see movies over and over, trying to deconstruct the scenes. I was obsessed with trying to figure out the mystery behind it. I have always been enamored not only by the stories but also the language of cinema; how stories and performances but also visuals and sound could project emotions. I admire film because it is the way a story is compressed, the beauty of moving images lit from behind the camera, and telling of a story to a largely illiterate population. After I had watched a Quentin Tarantino film, I wanted to be a film director and make movies of my own. I loved the plot of the movie and I loved the way Tarantino shot the film, which made me think that I can also do that.

Graduating from Gallup High School in May 2017 and I'm currently enrolled at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) training to become a film director. IAIA is going to help me with my Native art and learn more about my culture. My high school counselor recommended IAIA so that it would be nice to express my own art through movies. Becoming a junior at IAIA is very academic but with the faculties and students supporting you as if they were your family is very helpful.