SweetGrass Trading Company is excited to announce Major Elliott as the 2023 Ho-Chunk Trading Group scholarship recipient. Elliott is a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and resides in Washington, DC. He is a 2021 graduate of Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ.
Elliott is a junior biology major with a minor in African studies at Georgetown University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025. He currently works as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and has volunteered with organizations such as Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen and the Music and Kids.org Foundation. Elliott served as Public Relations chair for the National Honor Society from 2019-2021 and is the recipient of the Paul Robeson Renaissance Award by the Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice at Raritan Valley Community College.
Elliott’s goal is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon and give back to the Native American community.
“My aspiration to become a cardiothoracic surgeon is driven by a profound desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals in need of specialized medical care,” Elliott said. “As Native American populations are at a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease, I hope that I am able to shed light on this discrepancy and help our community overcome hundreds of years of systemic oppression that directly lead to these health issues.”
Elliott hopes the Ho-Chunk Trading Group scholarship will help support his goals to be a beacon of hope for his Tribe and help him serve his community in a positive way.
“Your belief in my potential reaffirms my determination to excel academically and make a positive impact on my community,” he said. “This scholarship is not only a financial blessing but also a symbol of trust, encouragement, and shared values. As I continue on my academic journey, I continue to be the lone minority in all of my classes. With the support of the Ho-Chunk Trading Group Scholarship I feel as though I’ll always have a family to draw support from in my times of need.”
Ho-Chunk Trading Group awards up to $1,250 to one student each year to a successful applicant to help them finance their education in a 4-year college, 2-year community or technical college. SweetGrass Trading Company is a member of Ho-Chunk Trading Group. Our mission is to help provide economic opportunity for the Winnebago Tribe and help other Native people get a hand up to build a better future.