Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Meet Sebastiana Lopez

Sebastiana Lopez, 23, is an Indigenous-Mexican coxswain at Temple University pursuing a Masters degree in Journalism to give underrepresented communities a voice in broadcast media. They were the coxswain for the first ever Indigenous four with coxswain at the Head of the Charles with Rowing in Color. 

What is the most meaningful aspect of rowing to you? 

The most meaningful aspect of rowing is the people and environment around me. The people I row with deeply shape my experience of the sport. I am grateful to have been in boats with magical and immaculate energy. I also enjoy hearing the stories of others rowing journeys and their appreciation for the sport. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to row and compete on different bodies of water that hold deep significance for the cities and communities they flow through. I value the intersection of people and landscapes, as both have meaning in my experience.  

What role has Rowing in Color played on the impact of the rowing community? 

Rowing in Color has increased visibility for the cultures and ethnicities in different boat houses throughout the United States. Essentially, their podcasts featured the barriers and triumphs of rowers of color. Amongst their shared experience of prejudice, microaggressions, and racism, it called attention to the fact that rowing should be more inclusive and supportive of rowers of all backgrounds and abilities. Since then, the rowing community has grown to create spaces for rowers of color to learn, row, and compete. In 2022, Rowing in Color launched its first Black Women’s eight and a BIPOC eight at the Head of the Charles. They aimed to show the world that rowers of color deserve to take up space in the sport and that they are not alone. I proudly coxed the BIPOC eight where I competed with rowers of different cultures and experiences. I achieved my goal of representing those who have never seen themselves reflected in the sport. Since then, Rowing in Color has given space to rowers to represent their culture and background at Head of the Charles. 

What has been your favorite event to race in and why? 

All the events that I got to represent my heritage have been my favorite. I have been able to connect with the rowers in my boat culturally and have conversations about our shared communities. I also connected with many spectators who appreciated the representation on the water. I am grateful to have started the hope in those younger rowers and have reminded the more experienced rowers of the power of perseverance and change. I have also heard many stories like mine where our journeys have always not been fair or easy. These shared experiences have reminded me that we need to take up space and advocate for ourselves when others fail us. But, we will always be resilient and strong in adversity. 

What do you wish people in your boathouse understood more about you or your culture?  

Being both Indigenous and Mexican, I carry with me a deep well of pride and resilience that is often misunderstood. When I walk into a room, it’s never just about me—it's about my community and ancestors who have come before me. I come from Queens, New York—the World’s Borough—and that alone is a testament to the diversity and richness of my upbringing. I carry that with me, every step I take. I grew up in a Mexican and Indigenous household where the beauty of the sun, the power of my words, and the moon's glow are more than symbols. The sun gives me hope and reminds me to appreciate the journey I embark on every day. My words give me the power to heal and express the beauty I see every day. The moon highlights the peace of the night and reflection. When you see me, you see all of my ancestors. I will always honor my culture and I will always, unapologetically, stand tall.  

The theme for 2024 Native American Heritage Month is Affirming Native Voices: Visibility, Leadership, Service. What do those three words mean to you? 

To me, visibility grants us a safe space for our presence and our hard work. Native American voices deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. We have been here, and we are not going to apologize for the space we deserve to take up. 

Leadership to me is more than a position of power. It is about purpose and strength that I have to advocate for our communities and the next generation. My experiences and wisdom are rich, therefore my duty is to uplift the voices around me, advocate for a safe space, and listen to my people’s needs.  

Service means listening to our communities with empathy and ensuring that our traditions stay alive. Many indigenous communities have carried the duty of protecting the land around us, but it is up to the rest of us to honor and protect it. The power of activism and education should not be undermined because the power of change exists among us. 

What is the next goal for your rowing career?  

As I embark on my final year as a collegiate athlete, I aim to leave a legacy by continuing to create an inclusive boathouse for rowers of color at Temple University and advocating for my people in the sport. But my mission does not stop at athletics. I am currently pursuing a Master's in Journalism and I am driven to diversify the screen. I aspire to be a broadcast anchor and reporter to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities in the media; the right way. Wherever I end up next in my career, I will be creating a pathway for more people like me.