Wynter Erickson learned to dance again.

Erickson, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, credits her adoptive parents with saving her from a dysfunctional family situation and inspiring her to pursue a college education.

"I hadn't danced in a long time and my adoptive parents are very traditional," Erickson said. "Mona and Bill taught me how to work hard, do my best and never give up. They taught me to focus on what needs to be done and to work past difficult situations."

The Lewis-Clark State College senior will earn a degree in Justice Studies later this year. Her remarkable story began on the central Oregon Warm Springs Reservation.

The little ones always ate first. If there was enough food after her eight brothers and sisters were fed, Erickson would eat.

Sometimes she would go without.

"Christmas wasn't a thought. Birthdays weren't a big thing. We were poor," Erickson said. "It was just the way it was."

Erickson saw violence. She saw the effects of substance abuse. She saw people she cared about taken to jail.

"My friends were afraid to come over to my house," she said. "My home was dysfunctional. I guess I was immune to these things. Those were tough times."

Child Protective Services removed her from her home at age 12.

Erickson said life changed for the better after she was adopted by family relatives and moved to Montana.

"I learned a lot of the traditional ways, including some of our language," she said. "They made me proud to be Native. I am proud of who I am. Dancing felt natural and it made me happy."

Her adoptive parents also helped her dream about college and a better life. She thrived and decided to join the Army where she met her husband. Together they are raising their three children.

After a three-year stint in the military, the 28-year-old opted to finish her education. She recently wrapped up an internship with the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Court in Plummer. She helped write grants for the tribe. She worked on warrant lists and filled in the gaps for Chief Tribal Justice Bill Douglas.

"Wynter Erickson was a wonderful addition to our office during her time with the Tribal Court system," Douglas said. "As part of her recent justice studies internship, she attended Tribal Court sessions, rode with the Tribal Police Department, assisted our clerks in preparing court documents, and really put forth an outstanding effort to provide exceptional service to all those who came before the court. We are proud of the partnership we have established with LCSC and we are grateful to LCSC for sharing such an outstanding student as Wynter with us for a semester. She is truly an exceptional individual."

Erickson said the experience she gained with the Tribe was great. "I would really like to work for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe when I am done," she said.

Wynter said she hasn't ruled out a return to Warm Springs one day and she would like to work with juveniles.

"When I was there, they didn't have much for kids," she said. "At that time, the adults and children didn't have much separation. That has changed, but I really care about juveniles and teaching them responsibility."

While her life experiences have given her perspective on the justice system, she said the classes have prepared her for a career.

"I can't wait to finish," Erickson said. "I will be the first one in my family to earn a college degree."