Acknowledgments

Throughout my graduate school career at the University of New Mexico and the University of Washington, I was lucky to have some great mentors. Ricky Lee Allen, Kelly Edwards, Polly Olsen, and Daniel Wildcat provided crucial support. My grandfather James O. Baker was an early hero of mine. I learned from him that a life lived well with integrity is not always easy. He taught me to care less about things that don’t matter and to be more strategic in pursuing things that do. A true friend and mentor, Tim Bennett has regularly reminded me not to settle for less than I deserve and encouraged me to be more ambitious in my expectations. Thanks as well to the University Press of Colorado. Finally, this book honors the participants who shared their lived experiences with me.