Matthew Cly is Navajo and grew up most of his life on the Navajo reservation in Monument Valley, AZ after moving from Las Vegas. He is an undergraduate student majoring in Exercise Health and Promotion and is going into his fourth year at Fort Lewis College in the fall of 2022. Matthew is interested in finding ways to give back to his community and other communities who aren’t provided the tools vital to promote health.
Health—in the Navajo language—encompasses much more than the physical well-being of oneself. Instead, health consists of five inner beings: physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual. To promote health, Matthew believes in keeping the Five Beings in balance, because balance is what makes harmony possible in the Navajo saying, “Sa’ah Naagháí Bik’ehHózhóón.”
Going into Urban Indian Health Institute’s (UIHI’s) internship program, Matthew is ecstatic to learn about communications and graphic design. With the skills and knowledge from this department, he will find ways to spread health awareness and provide a sense of warmth and protection to many communities who do not have accessible healthcare. With this experience, Matthew feels his calling in fields where he can expand his voice as a proud Native American and human being, overall. He hopes to give back the gift his community had sought for: a place to feel free, accepted, loved, cared for; a place to call his home.
Matthew’s hobbies are running, competitive and relaxed gaming, listening to music, and watching anime. Maybe he’ll have more hobbies, but he won’t be able to give the whole spiel.