Katherine Johnston is a first-year Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student with a rich heritage that includes the Caddo, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Pawnee, and Delaware tribes. She grew up in Oklahoma City, surrounded by a vibrant Native American community. Some of her favorite memories are of attending Caddo Dances and Stomp Dances with her cousins, where her family taught her about their traditions and history.
She is a descendant of those who survived forced removals, including survivors of the Trail of Tears and those who resisted and remained.
“When I was coming to Duke, that’s one of the things that I thought about,” Katherine said. “Who do I come from? Where does that strength come from?”
She honors those who came before her every step of the way, especially during her studies, acknowledging that without their strength and sacrifice, she would not be where she is today.
Watch Katherine talk about her lineage and heritage in this video: