Tazbah Rose Chavez '10

Tazbah Rose Chavez '10, UCLA American Indian Studies alumna, has received the inaugural Graton Fellowship from Sundance Institute.

A performance poet turned director and television writer from the Bishop Paiute Reservation, Chavez said, “This fellowship is vital because California is home to both the film industry and to the largest number of Tribal Nations in the country, and California Native perspectives are sorely missing from the cinematic landscape. The support from the Graton Fellowship comes at a fortuitous time, as I’m developing my first feature film.”

In 2021, Chavez, who earned her bachelor's degree in American Indian studies, was featured on the American Indian Studies Center's Native Bruins website, where she spoke about the impact being a Bruin has had on her life.

"From the moment the elevator doors opened from the parking garage I knew UCLA was the school for me, and long after graduating I still return a few quarters of the year to take UCLA extension classes. There is no question that UCLA changed my life and continues to be the reason I’m where I’m at in my career today. Academically, UCLA absolutely shaped my work ethic and discipline to get things done. Many of my professors remain intellectual heroes to me, and my fellow students continue to be lifelong friends and community members."