By Derrick Toledo
New Mexico is among the highest-rated states when it comes to ethnic and cultural diversity. With that great diversity comes large numbers of cultures seeking knowledge and education. UNM’s American Indian Student Services has no shortage of Native American students seeking opportunities. The alternative spring break started with the initiative of giving back to communities.
This year featured the second annual AISS Alternative Spring Break. The group traveled to the Havasupai reservation in Arizona. The Havasupai are an indigenous tribe native to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, which is only accessible by helicopter or an eight-mile hike down the canyon walls. A group of UNM students spent their spring break on a trip to the Native land as an alternative means to traditional partying. They spent their time working on environmental improvement as well as learning about the Havasupai tribe.