Eunique Yazzie

Current Profession(s): Artist, Designer, Creative Director, Technology Professional

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): I am a Diné mother, artist, and designer with roots in Canyon de Chelly, in the heartlands of the Navajo Nation, my career emerged from Phoenix, Arizona. Over the past 23 years, my career choices have shaped my technical skills, broadened my perspectives, and defined my artistic expression. For me, if art imitates life, then my palette is one that breathes new life and purpose into the arts and culture community.

As a poet and storyteller with the Mujeres Del Sol collective, a local board member of Roosevelt Row CDC, a working artist, muralist, and illustrator, I bring my voice and vision to various forms of creative expression. I co-founded Cahokia PHX, an Indigenous-led gallery and co-create space, and I'm also the founder of Indige Design Collab where my Creative Direction for projects with the Phoenix Suns, NFL, and City of Phoenix created a spotlight for other Indigenous Designers. My creative work centers around placemaking and placekeeping, with a strong focus on social impact design.

In addition, I am an organizer, workshop facilitator, speaker, and art curator who is now pivoting towards tech. I consult in Creative Development and work as an Information Technology professional, focusing on design systems, collaboration, and Indigenizing space.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I grew up between Provo, Utah; Rapid City, South Dakota; and graduated from Chinle High School in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. From an early age, my curiosity for drawing, observing, and exploring nature and its ecosystems grew into a way of life, guiding me to create and design with purpose. I've always aimed to develop my skills in ways that uplift Indigenous people and bring their ideas to the forefront. Coming from a large matriarchal family, I was raised with strong values of culture, creativity, and community, instilled by my parents, grandparents, and extended family.

What is your education / training background?: BA in Visual Communications

Advice you'd give to your younger self: To invest my time and energy wisely; allow for more exploration time to reflect and restore.

Who has influenced you?: My parents, sisters, brothers, grandmother and my son.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): My passion is demonstrated through my choices of profession. I enjoy creating moments that inspire, teach and open people up to themselves.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: My clans are Naneshtezhi Tachinii, born for Maii Deshgizhnii. My Maternal grandfather is Todichinii, and my Paternal grandfather is Kiyaanii. In this way I am Diné/Navajo.

Sonya Brooks

Current Profession(s): Clinical Supervisor at Native American Connections

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): It is a great honor to be part of the team at Native American Connections (NAC). We are a non-profit organization that provides a large range of services to Native American individuals and families in the Phoenix metro area. I work at Patina Mountain Preserve, which is NAC's residential substance abuse treatment program for Native and non-Native men. I ensure a high quality of services for our clients on a 24/7 basis as clinical supervisor. I provide individual and group therapy sessions as a counselor, and I am part of our cultural provider team that assists with our cultural practices such as sweat lodge. I talk to our clients about recovery from substance abuse, mental health instability, and all types of traumas including historical trauma. I encourage our clients to seek a spiritual path in sobriety and reconnect with their Native traditional ways. I am grateful to my Creator because I've been given the privilege to see what real change looks like as our clients gain sobriety, begin to heal, and make safer choices in their lives. I love helping them find a little more hope in the world each time we meet.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I was born and raised on the Navajo Nation, and I left the rez to attend college at age 17. I had my personal struggles with alcohol and substances, and I am a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor. I sang in my Diné language since I was 4 years old, but I was disconnected from my Creator for several years and I almost lost my voice. Then I started working at NAC, and I grew with them – professionally and personally – over the last 10 years. I learned who I was meant to be... a passionate Diné woman who is always learning and teaching from the heart. I started singing again, and I reconnected with my Creator through smudging, prayer, and sweat lodge. I dared myself to address my personal traumas, and I walked my talk with our clients. My path led me to be the social worker that I am today.

What is your education / training background?: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and I studied at Arizona State University where I earned my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work. I am an Internship Field Instructor for Social Work and Counseling students from ASU and other universities. I keep close ties with ASU's Office of American Indian Projects, as well as with several tribal and Urban Native non-profit partners. I specialize in domestic and sexual violence prevention and education, and I am trained in the Red Road to Wellbriety/White Bison curriculum. I am interested in grief work, EMDR, and other forms of clinical and holistic therapy that best compliment my Native roots.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Life is a beautiful struggle... You are worthy so don't give up, you are strong enough to handle it all. No matter what comes your way, remember that the Creator is always with you. Don't stop singing and never be ashamed of who you are and where you come from. There is no such thing as being "too nice." Being kind is your best strength and it will take you to a path of true happiness. Stay humble and give thanks to the Creator every day.

Who has influenced you?: My mom and all the women in my family, friends, and NAC family are my greatest teachers. I primarily work with male clients, so being with the women of my family and friends at home, in the sweat lodge, in the office, at the campfire, or over brunch keeps me connected to the best parts of myself. They all taught me the joy of sisterhood. My mom showed me that having spiritual faith, patience, and sensitivity brings peace into my life. I am thankful for my dad and my brothers for their love and support in everything I do. I am forever grateful to the Creator and for everyone in my circle, especially for my husband who is my rock and closest to my heart. He keeps me grounded and he is truly my other half.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): I love to sing and karaoke whenever I get a chance. I've sung the Star Spangled Banner in Diné for special events throughout my life, and I am a member of Phoenix Indian Center's Diné Urban Voices group. I also enjoy painting, reading fantasy and Stephen King novels, Lego building, jigsaw puzzles, collecting turquoise & silver and beaded jewelry, baking, camping, fishing, target shooting, watching anime and cooking shows, BBQ's with family and friends, watching the AZ Cardinals play of course (Rise Up, Red Sea!), and going out for brunch. I love food from all over the world, but nothing beats a roast mutton sandwich with green chile and frybread.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: Yá'át'ééh! Shí éí Sonya Brooks yinishyé. Tódích'íí'nii nishłį́, Tó'aheedlíinii bashishchiin, Táchii'nii dashicheii, Tséníjíkiní dashinalí. Ákót'éego diné asdzáán nishłį́. Hello! My name is Sonya Brooks. I am of the Bitter Water clan from my mother, and I am born for the Water Flows Together clan from my father. My maternal grandfather's clan is the Red Running into the Water clan, and my paternal grandfather's clan is the Cliff Dwellers clan.

Our clans in Diné define who we are in this world. I believe it's important to know who you are and honor where you come from because that's how we all grow together as human beings. It's an amazing thing to see when our clients discover and share their genuine identities in recovery. Keep your faith in humanity and stay kind! Thank you for letting me share my culture and my heart with you.

If you would like to learn more about Native American Connections and how you can support our cause, then please go to our website at nativeconnections.org.

Jason Jones

Current Profession(s): CEO

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): Oversee our organization

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I started with the Boys & Girls Clubs 28 years ago as a maintenance staff, thereafter I was given the opportunity to become the part-time Gym instructor. Becoming the Gym instructor was the start of something great, with hard work and dedication to the Youth and Teens of the Community I was able to advance in all of my roles in the Organization and become the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community. During my time as CEO, our Organization has opened up a new Site, we now have a total of 3 amazing locations to serve Youth and Teens. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community has established a successful group of leaders who strive to create a positive place for Youth and Teens to grow and prosper.

What is your education / training background?: High school equivalent (GED)

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Take care of yourself while you're young and how much more of an impact I could have made if I knew what I know today.

Who has influenced you?: Professionally it would be my past CEO of the previous organization, Connie Perez. She showed me how to deal with adversity professionally and to stay positive. She carried herself with respect and showed everyone respect, even if it wasn't received.

Personally my wife has given me a new light on taking my time and to be open with everyone. My mother started in youth development and I followed which turned into my career.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): Exploring on our side by side with the family is the best for me. See the enjoyment and is just a way for us to be outdoors too

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: Thank you for the opportunity and hope others are being nominated as well in their respective communities.

Our passion for the kids is our priority, youth development is key in our community.

And Let's go Big RED!

Hope Peshlakai

Current Profession(s): Restaurant Owner

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): Owner and operator of Hope's Frybread in Mesa AZ.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): Spent over a decade setting up small roadside sales and catering jobs. Honing in on our recipes and skills. Finally deciding to make a permanent move and opened our first brick and mortar in 2022.

What is your education / training background?: I did not have formal culinary training. Again, it was over a decade of self training and love of cooking. With such a large family, the "cooking for a crowd" was easy to come by.

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Believe in yourself!! Reservation girl or not, you can accomplish anything if you really want it and work hard for it!

Who has influenced you?: My hard working single parent mother! She hustled and acquired a master's degree in school counseling while raising three kids on her own. Of course my grandmother as well. Without her there wouldn't be a Hope's Frybread. These are her recipes. It was her love language to cook delicious food. She taught me that even if you don't have much to give, you can share a meal.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): I am a wife and a mother of 6. They all are my better half and the whole reason why I want to succeed.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: This is a message for the Indigenous community, if you want to succeed, then work your hardest and get there. Make smart life choices and focus on your end goal! Growing up on the reservation is not a hindrance, it's an experience that sets us apart that can make us resilient.

Lourdes Pereira

Current Profession(s): Hia-Ced Hemijkam LLC Archivist, contractor for the Administration for Native Americans, Public Speaker, Activist and model

Please describe your role(s) in your profession(s): Being the Archivist for my tribal community consist of me digitalizing tapes, listening to tapes, scanning photos or documents, organizing information, speaking with elder and community members about our peoples history and attending tribal meetings where we discuss plans on preserving our knowledge. As an activist and public speaker I utilize my platform to speak on issues from Data Sovereignty, Native voting rights all the way to traditional language preservation, food Sovereignty and decolonial perspectives. Being a contractor for the Administration for Native American, I support Eastern tribes in the United States with their Federal grants and modeling has allowed me to travel and meet some pretty incredible artists and models across the nation.

Please describe your pathway to your current profession(s): I, first would say that being an athlete, a basketball player, provided me with the tools that I still use in my current professions, such as accountability, hard work and discipline. But of course being the Co-president for the Tucson Native Youth Council, changing the Policy within the Tucson Unified School District that allowed Native American Students to wear their regalia on graduation, becoming Miss Indigenous ASU 2020-2022, being a student aide for Labriola American Indian Datacenter, a research assistant for Trevor Reed and a 25 under 25 UNITY Leadership recipient, all played a large roll in forming my pathway to what I do now.

What is your education / training background?: I attended Pueblo High School in Tucson Arizona and graduated at Arizona State University with my bachelors in American Indian Studies and Justices Studies

Advice you'd give to your younger self: Don't be afraid to ask for help, not just professionally but personally and try to have FUN.

Who has influenced you?: I can't look back and just think of one single person who has influenced me. However, I know the first person who influenced me and continues to, is my Je'e (mother) Christina Andrews, you are the definition of a strong, intelligent, hard working, selfless Indigenous woman. You taught me to never give up, stand up for what I believe in, be of service to our community and never forget where I come from. I hope one day to become half the woman she is. Another person who has also deeply influenced me is Director Alexander Soto, you exposed me to archives and taught me about the importance of preservation and protection for community memory/ancestral knowledge. I will always appreciate you letting me "shoot for the stars", I can't thank you enough! I also feel extremely fortunate to have had so many mentors like Kate Rosier, Vina Begay, Trevor Reed, professors like Myla Carpio and Michelle Hale, teachers like Mr. Santa Cruz and Mrs. Mejia and advisors like Jolene Jose and Joanie Perkins, you all have had an influence on me. Thank you all for your constant support, advice, and molding me into the person that I am.

Tell us about anything you are passionate about outside of your profession(s): I enjoy reading, hiking, learning, running and learning how to cook with traditional foods.

Please feel free to tell us anything else that you'd like to share: Native American Heritage Month is always a great time to learn and get involved with Indigenous communities, you can do this by supporting Indigenous owned businesses, Indigenous authors, musicians and movies. We are multifaceted people and our talents can be a great opportunity for you to learn about who we are, who we were and where we are going.

Here's my little guide if you are a resident in Onk Akimel, Akimel O'odham and Peeposh territory otherwise known as "Phoenix" or "The Valley".

Support Indigenous Owned business like Native Art Market in Old town Scottsdale for authentic Indigenous goodies, check out Cahokia for Indigenous events. Support Indigenous owned restaurants like the Frybread house, The fry bread lounge and Hope's fry bread. Museums are a great way to learn more about Indigenous communities but try to support tribally owned museums such as; The HuHugam Heritage Center located in Gila River and the Huhugam Ki Museum located in Salt river. The Heard museum is a good ally museum that isn't tribally owned but works with surrounding Indigenous communities.