Cultural Survival's community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories to tell of your own about why you decided to become an advocate for Indigenous Peoples' rights. Sharing these stories further connects our community, provides much-needed solidarity and validation to our staff and partners on the ground, and helps us inspire others to join our movement. We are excited to spotlight members and former interns of our community and highlight your contributions and perspectives through our Cultural Survival Spotlight series.
Are you a former Cultural Survival intern or a passionate member of our community? We'd be honored to hear and share your story!
David Citrin, Cultural Survival Former Intern
When were you a Cultural Survival intern and what program did you work with?
I was an intern in 2003 - 2005, as South Asia Regional Editor. I researched and authored news updates and articles related to Indigenous communities and ethnic minorities in South Asia and the Pacific; and edited the Cultural Survival Quarterly magazine.
Where are you currently in your career, and how do you see your internship experience connecting to your present work?
My internship with Cultural Survival shaped my career in numerous ways, most significantly in terms of humility in the face of great complexity, the need to demonstrate solidarity with those who have been marginalized in our world, and affirming the beliefs that everyone deserves dignity and respect. My time at CS encouraged me to continue my training in Anthropology, and I went on to receive my PhD in Medical Anthropology and a MPH in Global Health. I'm an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in the Depts. of Global Health and Anthropology, and have been teaching courses and leading study abroad programs on plural forms of healing, interdisciplinary approaches to global public health, and international development for the past 15 years. Currently, I work for a public benefit company called Waymark, that provides free, community-based care for people enrolled in Medicaid programs.
Do you have a particularly memorable moment, interaction, or experience from your internship that had a lasting impact on you?
So many great times to remember at CS! Well, I met my partner, Neena Makhija there 20 years ago, and we live in Seattle with our 4-year-old daughter. So you could say my internship profoundly altered the course of my life ;) In addition, I remember endless laughs with other interns in the basement, soccer upstairs post-work on with Jamie, the bazaars, and amazing guests coming through the old CS office next to the laundromat on Prospect St.
Are you a former Cultural Survival intern or a passionate member of our community? We'd be honored to hear and share your story!
Top photo: David Citrin and Neena Makhija.
