Keyokah Mars-Garrick Inspires Students to See Beyond Stereotypes of Indigenous Culture
Keyokah Mars-Garrick '12, M’16 has made it her mission to share with young students across the region the history, heritage, and contributions of the Indigenous Narragansett tribe to which she belongs. As is sadly too well known in most educational circles, common knowledge of Indigenous culture is increasingly erased with each succeeding generation, a trend that has persisted since Europeans began arriving several centuries ago. This neglect motivates Mars-Garrick to travel and dispel misconceptions about Native Americans and the Indigenous world.
The Narragansett tribe has inhabited the land that is now Rhode Island for over 30,000 years. Mars-Garrick's grandfather was once a tribal chief. She was named Keyokah by her grandmother in the Narragansett tradition. Her mother's native name translates to Little Fern, and since a fern produces a lovely bloom, the name Keyokah—which means Pretty Flower—was bestowed upon her at birth.
Two of Mars-Garrick's primary topics during her local educational tours are the significance of cultural beliefs and the importance of Indigenous dancing. One custom she emphasizes is the powwow, widely considered one of the most substantial cultural activities among Indigenous nations. She points out that she performed at her first powwow when she was just six months old, balanced on her mother's hip. Fast forward to her college days, and she recalls how she often performed at powwows on campus and at local elementary schools whenever invited to educate people about Native American culture.
Mars-Garrick always brings intriguing visual aids that students can touch and handle, including coyote skins and turtle shells. She refers to such items as cultural touchstones. Often, she can also be found playing recordings of traditional Indigenous drum music, dressing in traditional garb, and displaying culturally accurate photos and other native art.
Mars-Garrick’s work to promote Narragansett history and heritage (as well as that of sister tribes the Pequot and Mohegan) complements her busy role as a special education teacher at Wheeler High School in North Stonington, Connecticut. In addition to her UHart degrees (BA and MBA), she also earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut.
Not surprisingly, Mars-Garrick's dedication has led to her being named a 2026 recipient of the MLK Beloved Community Award. MLK award winners are selected by the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging and the MLK Observance Planning Committee to recognize students, faculty, staff, and alumni who embody the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who worked tirelessly to improve and exemplify the principles of diversity and equity. The award seeks to honor those who make a positive difference in the lives of others, promote the many cultures at UHart, engage in research and activities that challenge racism, and support programs on and off campus that foster understanding. Mars-Garrick is the first member of an Indigenous tribe to receive this honor.
In addition to her other work, Mars-Garrick is also a high school basketball coach. Previously, she coached at UHart and at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. In high school, she was an all-star player who helped lead her team to the state tournament semifinals, and she also played on UHart's women's basketball team.
Mars-Garrick relied on the support she received from many people along the way, as she began her multifaceted career after an active childhood as a member of her tribe. She is grateful for that support, which included many high school teachers, some of whom are now her colleagues. She says their understanding and encouragement made her transition from student to teacher an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
Mars-Garrick recently joined the UH Amplifying Indigenous Voices Affinity Network as a volunteer. The Network is part of the University's strategic efforts to ensure an inclusive environment where employees and others can experience a greater sense of belonging and engagement. Through the Network and elsewhere, Mars-Garrick reinforces the truth that Indigenous people are vital members of and contributors to the nationwide multicultural community that Martin Luther King envisioned and advocated. Her passion for reading and analyzing books greatly supports her personal mission.
Despite her busy schedule, Mars-Garrick looks ahead to the future and considers aiming for an administrative position, potentially as a principal or assistant principal. She believes her diverse experiences, combined with her strong educational background and current activities, prepare her well for such a role.
It is clear to all who know her, work with her, and are taught by her that she loves her job, her students, and her community, all of which she says fill her days with purpose and gratification. Mars-Garrick continues to look to the future with excitement and optimism, eager to make a lasting impact on the lives of those she touches, just as she has been influenced by her own history and heritage.