Native American Heritage month is a time to celebrate and recognize the culture and history of American Indians.
As part of a series of alumni profiles, CSUN Newsroom spoke with Rene “Yaotl” Orozco ‘90 (Anthropology), ‘16 (Master of Social Work) who is now a supervisor, children’s social worker and independent living program (ILP) manager with Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
“I link transitional age youths with resources for their academic and/or career journey,” Orozco said. “For example, foster youth or former foster youth between 18 and 21 who qualify for ILP can receive assistance with tuition, clothing, car insurance and work tools to assist in fostering independence.”
Orzoco spearheaded a Transition Age Youth fatherhood program that began this November.
“I am a proponent of fatherhood support and have facilitated fatherhood groups as I feel fathers don’t regularly have a space to unpack issues or concerns,” Orozco said. “Fatherhood involvement increases protective factors for children and families.”
Orozco said he is deeply involved in his indigenous culture and is proud to be a part of the Tutčint advisory council. Tutčint is a youth empowerment program provided by the Pukúu Cultural Community Services program of the Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians that utilizes native culture as a path for wellness and stability, according to Orozco.
“Youth participate in weekly meetups where indigenous culture presenters discuss themes of wellness like the four quadrants: body, mind, spiritual, and emotional,” Orozco said. “Pre- and post-test data has shown that the youth increase emotional and academic wellbeing. Cultural self-awareness is a very helpful resource for youth on their journey towards reaching adulthood.”
Orozco first graduated from CSUN in 1990 with a degree in anthropology. He was a part of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicane de Aztlán La Unión Hace la Fuerza (M.E.Ch.A.) as well as the team that revived the American Indian Student Association (AISA). He returned to CSUN to earn a master of social work degree in 2016.
Orozco became a licensed clinical social worker in 2022. He said that the work with his band as a vocalist and percussionist, and his studies helped him gain a deeper connection with his heritage.
“I am also a musician that conveys everything I have learned in my academic journey via my lyrics to inspire others to liberate themselves from internalized oppression. It is through my band Aztlan Underground that we have been able to empower others from Canada to Australia, Basque Country, Mexico and South America,” he said. “CSUN has definitely inspired my life journey in many ways. I also assisted in resurrecting AISA in 1988 to 90, which reflected my sense of self and journey towards amplifying my culture through music with an indigenous lens.”
Orozco shared some advice for prospective students who are unsure about enrolling at CSUN.
“There are people that become academic elitists if their school is not a UC or private university,” Orozco said. “Don’t pay attention to that, because CSUN is a thriving academic institution with many areas of focus, as well as thinkers and an inclusive vision for the future. It will change your life for the better and strengthen your life journey.”
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