Undergrad pre-veterinary student Mia Ritter discusses the issues of conservation from worldwide to Indigenous perspectives within the United States. She uses her activism for a call to action from all communities on how we can support our world conservation from her research and life experiences as an Indigenous/Native American citizen.

My name is Mia Ritter and I am an Animal Scientist. I'm in my last year of my undergrad at Colorado State University working towards a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary track. I am part of the Tohono O’odham Nation which is an Indigenous Tribe within the United States and my Reservation is located in Sells, Arizona. I am the first and only student of my tribe to attend CSU and would be the first to attend a doctoral program at Colorado State University. My goal is to provide medical care like spay and neuter clinics to people within my reservation because those resources are hard to get in rural areas like our community. My goal is to become a Veterinarian and teach veterinary medicine and conservation to pre-vet or veterinary students. I am very passionate about conservation and rescuing all animals in need of help. I am most excited to use my degree for the good of our society! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx