Kaden Garness

Hello, my name is Kaden Kenneth Garness. I am a firstyear, Indigenous two-spirit nonbinary student from the Oglala Lakota tribe, of the Great Plains peoples. My family was forced onto the Pine Ridge Reservation, which is now one of the poorest reservations in the nation. Because of this, I am a second-generation college student though am experiencing it like a first generation, let me give some insight. My mother was actually the first in our native lineage to pursue college, and finish, though we’re estranged right now for the sake of my wellbeing. I do still look up to her for her hard work, though it’s been hard navigating through this experience, in a way on my own. I would like to give recognition to the plenty of friends and peers that inspired me to take the step to pursue my dreams and ambitions.
I consider trust and honesty of the utmost importance. So in the vulnerable nature of trust and truth, who I am and where I came from, is something not a lot of people are comfortable talking about. However, it is my story and I refuse to exist in the shadows. Being an Indigenous person, I do come from generational trauma, toxic family dynamics, substance abuse, domestic violence, and many other traumas and struggles. But that’s just one chapter in my story or so I've been told. I’m determined to not let my own story to be told to me, and to create my own.
Before school this year in 2025, I was living with my grandparents.
I'm so beyond grateful for them, for taking me in and helping me get back on my feet. Before reaching out for help from them, I was homeless. For a while living in my car and couch surfing, always in-between places. When my car broke down, for a couple months I was living in a tent in the backyard of pretty much strangers. This was only 4 years ago now, that I chose to do better for myself instead of continuing to put myself in circumstances I’d never even considered many people experience on a daily basis.
So sitting here writing this, in these nice clothes, with my own car, my own apartment, and surrounded by likeminded young adults, pursuing education and knowledge... it can be quite astonishing. All from a dream, a little help, and a lot of personal hard work, discipline, and dedication.
When I got kicked out at 17, I ultimately chose to leave home and be homeless and did not know my own ability to do big things.
I left, simply out of self-respect, to put space in between myself and my abusively toxic family dynamic. To gain the ability to simply place boundaries and ask for respect in regard to who I am as an LGBTQ two-spirit person. No contact with my parents is not easy, but I did so to protect my mental and physical health, my stability and peace of mind, and to pursue who I am today. The charming young lad writing so vulnerably today; at 23 years old I’ve learned quite a lot from my lived experiences. Like how sometimes in life it’s the hardest choices, based in self respect and what’s right for you, that take you the furthest.

Before the beginning of my first semester at Fort Lewis College, I was asked, “ If I could solve one problem in the world (big or small), what would it be?” Truthfully, if I could solve one problem in the world, I'd want to tackle the injustices and inequities the average person faces. There shouldn’t be teenagers homeless on the streets. There shouldn’t be families so broken and torn apart that parents are okay with throwing out their children onto the streets. There shouldn’t be so many broken and lost people struggling to see the reason or find hope in day to day life, drowning in debt and stress. I see the current struggles the average person today faces. The grim reality of how close any one of us is to going hungry while over drafting our bank account yet working full time just to barely make necessary bills. The feeling of doing it alone. I see these struggles because I’ve experienced them firsthand. I see the current social, political, and economic state of the country —and because of our country, the broader world, simply as policy failure.
Truly at this point in civilized society, I believe policy failure is the biggest reason we all have to endure the hardships we do. It is true, policy has the power to separate people, but it more importantly holds the power to bring people together. To lift everyone up. Because of this belief, I heavily debated going into pre-law or political science. I however chose to go for Music because I believe it's important to lead by example. I'm embodying leading by example by chasing my dreams. By doing something that lights oneself up. So although I am so very passionate and aware in terms of politics and activism. Music is what lights me up from a place of not only passion but also love and joy, and because of this music has helped heal me in so many ways. Since I was little I wanted to be an artist. And so I am, and soon to be a professional as well.
Through leading by example in this way, I know I can change the world even if my impact — is on an individual level… for now, and not quite as big as policy implementation… yet.
No matter what, I know my authenticity in indulging in my curiosity will take me far. I am curious to experience as much as possible, this I know will open many doors for me. To help direct me towards how I can get more involved in helping my community and neighbors in ways I never knew. To make an even larger positive impact on not just people in my immediate community, but all people. People who may be confused about what their future holds. Curious as to what they can do to make a better tomorrow. Yearning for knowledge and experience to help reach their dreams. And immensely passionate about everything they put their energy and soul into. This is my primary ambition: To inspire all with the idea of, anyone from anywhere can do anything.