Rebecca Riley, Chair of the Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, is a citizen of the Pueblo of Acoma, and works as an Early Childhood Consultant and Native Community Health Educator. She has dedicated herself to improving home visiting and early childhood services for Native American families of young children ages 0 -5 years old and families who are expecting. She received her degree from the University of New Mexico in Community Health Education with a minor in Native American Studies and began her career working for tribal Head Start on the Pueblos of Isleta and Acoma. Her most established experience and growth developed when working for Tribal Home Visiting, a home visiting program serving Native families living on and off reservations through NAPPR, inc. a non-profit early childhood organization located in Albuquerque. As program director, she contributed to the development and advancement of Tribal Home Visiting at a local and national level. Today, her interests endure to positively contribute and impact the overall quality of life for Native families through mindful, responsive, equitable and inclusive practices that are reflective of family and community goals. She has served on many advisory councils and committees at both local and national levels in the field of Early Childhood Education. Having lived on and off the Pueblo of Acoma reservation, she currently resides in Albuquerque with her family, and continues to practice direct services to Native families as an Infant Massage Facilitator.

Tim Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque, After a successful business career, Tim Keller refocused his professional life on tackling some of the biggest issues facing Albuquerque and New Mexico. Throughout his public service, from State Senator for the International District to New Mexico State Auditor to Mayor of Albuquerque, Tim has consistently challenged the status quo and developed a track record of real impact. Tim became Mayor on Dec. 1, 2017, after garnering 62 percent of the non-partisan election.

Previously, Tim was elected twice to the State Senate in one of the most diverse districts in New Mexico, encompassing Albuquerque's International District. He rose to the position of Majority Whip and successfully sponsored dozens new laws. He also had the distinction of passing the most bipartisan sponsored legislation during his tenure.

In 2014, Tim Keller was elected one of the youngest State Auditors in the country. He created the state’s first Government Accountability Office (GAO) and pushed the office to the forefront of the state’s most critical issues. Responsible for financial oversight of about 1,000 local governments, Tim championed a range of transparency efforts including highlighting billions in idle infrastructure funds, exposing fraudulent actions by elected officials, rebutting the myth of scarcity and tackling the rape kit backlog.

In addition to his public service, Tim spent fifteen years in the private sector, starting with fortune 500 companies and most recently helping Native American governmental financial operations. He also lived for several years in Cambodia where he ran the nation's first IT social enterprise focused on hiring land mine victims and other disadvantaged persons.

Tim Keller was born and raised in Albuquerque and is an Eagle Scout and Kellogg Foundation Race Equity Fellow. Following graduation from St. Pius X High School, he attended the Notre Dame where he studied Art History. He then went on to earn an MBA with honors from the Harvard Business School

Derrick Lente, NM Representative, is son of two Pueblos in New Mexico (Isleta & Sandia Pueblos). Raised in a traditional Pueblo family, his parents often worked two jobs to raise him and his two older brothers. Those examples would help mold his values of hard work, dedication, tradition and family.

Derrick attended Bernalillo Public Schools from kindergarten through his graduation from Bernalillo High School. Derrick took remedial courses at Central New Mexico Community College, transferred to the University of New Mexico and earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Intercultural Communications and in English. Derrick went on to study law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. He was the first male from his Pueblo to earn a Juris Doctorate degree. In addition to a law degree, Derrick was also elected to the Board of Editors for the Tribal Law Journal and earned his certificate specializing in Federal Indian Law.

Derrick is a businessman and in 2008 followed his dream of entrepreneurship when he acquired a company with offices in New Mexico and California. After years of hard work and dedication, Derrick was employing hundreds New Mexicans and thousands more in other States. Derrick sold the company in 2013 when his company was considered to be one of the largest solely owned Native American companies in the United States.

Derrick has been a professor and visiting speaker in many universities across the United States. He has first-hand experience working on Federal, State and Tribal issues. Derrick sits on a number of local and national boards that focus on agriculture, economic development, education, and health and has been identified and awarded the “40 Under Forty” award by both the New Mexico Business Weekly and The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

In 2017 Derrick took his oath of office as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives. Representative Lente represents NM House District 65. Representative Lente was recognized in 2018 as a “Rising Star” by the Democratic Party of New Mexico and honored with the "Governors Award" by the All Pueblo Governors Council in 2019, Representative Lente is in his second term as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives assuming new responsibilities in leadership as Chairman for the House Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources.

Derrick, his wife Kassandra, daughter Jade and sons Mostin & Easton make their home in Sandia Pueblo where he owns and operates his family farm, Lente Farms.

Casey Douma (Laguna Pueblo/Hopi-Tewa) is an attorney and owner of Douma Law, P.C., and works on behalf of tribal nations, tribal entities, and other organizations that impact that lives of Indigenous people. Casey is a graduate of Highland High School in Albuquerque, NM. He attended Haskell Indian Nations University and earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Casey received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law with an Indian Law Certificate. He went on to receive an LL.M. Degree in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy from the University of Arizona College of Law. Casey started out his legal career giving back to his own tribe as a Prosecutor and then as In-House Legal Counsel for Laguna Pueblo, while serving as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico Law School teaching Indian Law courses. Casey is also Senior Faculty with the Leadership Institute, teaching and mentoring youth in the Summer Policy Academy at Princeton University, Washington, D.C. and to the United Nations. Currently, Casey sits as a Board of Director for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and is an Associate Justice with the Chippewa Cree Tribe Court of Appeals. Mr. Douma wears many different hats, working on issues of tribal court development, repatriation, indigenous customary laws, nation building, education, and federal Indian law. Casey is strongly connected to his tribal communities of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and Hopi-Tewa in Arizona while living in the White Mountains of Arizona with his wife and three children.

Ashley Pino, former Miss Indian New Mexico XLVI (46) and former Miss Pueblo of Acoma (2011-2012), comes from the Pueblos of Acoma and Kewa and served as Miss Pueblo of Acoma 2011-2012 and as Miss Indian New Mexico XLVI (46). Ashley graduated from the University of California – Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Native American Studies. Pino is currently serving as the Miss Indian New Mexico Inc., Board of Directors, Vice-President.

Karen Lucero, LPCC, Associate Clinical Director, University of New Mexico, Student Health & Counseling (SHAC), has been with SHAC for over two years. She is from the Pueblo of Isleta, graduated from UNM with a BA in Philosophy/Economics, and completed her MA in Counseling at Southwestern College, Santa Fe. Ms. Lucero’s career is focused on culturally competent treatment, as a provider, supervisor, and director focusing treatment services on client values-based autonomy.

Founder of Leroy “Buster” Silva is a community mover and shaker from the Pueblo of Laguna, NM. He is the founder of Family+Indigenize+Thrive, an "InterGenerational movement to revitalize the spirit of wellness through active community connections and partnership building.” Buster is passionate about working with local/national community champions and organizations to address inequities that hinder communities of color from living active, healthy and happy lives. He has experience in Community Wellness, Education, and the Non-Profit sector.

Denise Gomez is from the pueblos of Taos and Laguna. She has worked for APS since 1999 as a science teacher, counselor, and school/district administrator. Ms. Gomez attended APS schools in the South Valley and is proud to serve all students.

Bernard Chimoni is an educator with over 25 years teaching and administrative experience. He has been involved in American Indian education programs as a regular education teacher, a bilingual teacher and a principal. He has taught with the Zuni Public School District and the Bureau of Indian Education. As the Zuni language teacher, with the APS’ Indian Education Department, he works with the development of teacher resources for teaching the Zuni language instruction that includes culturally and linguistically responsive teaching that results in language acquisition. Bernard is also an adjunct instructor with the Institute for the Institute of American Indian Arts’ high school dual credit native language program. He has a B.A. and M.A. in education from the University of New Mexico and a M. Ed. in school leadership from the Pennsylvania State University. Bernard is Eagle and a child of the Deer clan.

Tehya Barber is Dine from the Navajo Nation. She was raised in Kirtland, New Mexico but her family is originally from Sanostee, New Mexico. Currently, she is a junior at Eldorado High School and a dual credit student at her local community college in Albuquerque, NM. She is a former Kirtland Middle School Princess, former Miss Northern Navajo Teen, and a former Miss Indian New Mexico Teen and currently, she is the High School Student Representative for the APS Indian Education Committee. Tehya sees great opportunity for Native students in the Albuquerque community and strives to help more students take advantage of the great resources available to them. She is motivated by the potential in our youth and loves to see their participation in leadership, academic, and cultural activities and she strongly believes her voice is important in decisions regarding our future generations. Tehya is honored to be the Mistress of Ceremony for day one and day three of the Spring 2021 Healthy Native Youth Virtual Conference.

Penny Singer, Diné Fashion Designer, “Magic happens everyday in my studio,” says Dine’ fashion designer Penny Singer from Farmington, New Mexico. Inspired by her mother, Penny began sewing at age seven. It was her Junior High Home Economics class that taught her the skills that help determine her future path. The Penny Singer Collection is a “wearable art” made of colorful textiles that include scarves, vests, jackets, ribbon shirts, and handbags.

Penny balances a life of show travel with family obligations. She is an award winner at prestigious shows such as the Heard Museum Indian Fair, Santa Fe Indian Market, and the Wheelwright Museum’s Fashion Couture Show.

Penny’s Native pride comes out in the fact that all garments incorporate animal and bold Native motifs in their designs. She also is able to create a fusion of traditional Native American elements and contemporary style.

Chenoa Bah Stilwell-Jensen, Dine, Dzil Tl’aani ninli, English yaaschiin, Ashiihi da’bichei, French Canadian da’nibinali, Tseyaato doo Corrales dee nagha. She is a Cultural Care Provider. Chenoa Bah is passionate about being active with her family, hiking, being outdoors, cooking and eating delicious food from throughout the world.

Jered Lee, FNCH Cultural Care Provider, from Albuquerque, with my ancestral roots deriving from the Ni’hooch’idi..Nahashch’idi…”Naschitti Region” of the Navaho reservation. I am a proud parent to one son, and adoptive parent to two nieces and one nephew. I am currently employed as a Cultural Services Provider with First Nations Community Healthsource – Traditional Wellness Program. I will say that my experience in living far outweighs my educational experiences. I value the knowledge, intelligence, artistry, and healthy life expression of indigenous culture and look to share the positive attributes of character development and healthy self-identity with our children venturing through the educational system.

Nicole Pino, Supervisor of Tribal Liaisons at Western Sky Community Care providing outreach and education on New Mexico’s Medicaid to the tribal communities across the state of New Mexico. Nicole is originally from To’Hajiilee, New Mexcio. Nicole received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of New Mexico, and Masters of Public of Health from New Mexico State University. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys to spending time with family and being outdoors.

Jennifer Sandoval, Tribal Liaison for Presbyterian Health Service Centennial Care, She travels the Rio Grande Valley visiting all 19 pueblos in New Mexico. She’s here to support you. She can connect you with what you need to help you get the most out of your healthcare. Jennifer also has a rich understanding of culture in the community. She knows how important it is to keep traditions alive. She was born and raised on the San Felipe Pueblo and has been working with the Native American community for 17 years. She is fluent in speaking and understanding Keres. She has worked for Indian Health Services and Tribal 638 facilities.

Winona Gishal, Community Outreach Specialist/Tribal Liaison, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico

Winona Gishal is a member of the Navajo Nation and is originally from Lukachukai, Arizona. She is of Ta’neezahnii (Tangle), born for Naaneesht’ezhi Tabaaha (Zuni Edgewater), her maternal grandparents are of the Nakai Dine’e (Mexican), and her paternal grandparents are of the Totsohnii (Bigwater) clans. She has been employed with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) since March 2016. Currently, she is a Tribal Liaison/Community Outreach Specialist in the Medicaid Outreach Department. In her role, Winona oversees the outreach and education for all Eight Northern and Five Sandoval Indian Pueblo communities, has solid partnerships and working relationships with the Indian Health Services, Tribal 638 and Urban Clinics (ITU). Most importantly, she works from the heart and is always willing to assist our members to understand their benefits under Centennial Care.

Shirley Pino, Designer, RedWing Design Working Studio, located on the Tamaya Land, the Pueblo of Santa Ana, and is owned by Shirley Pino, a Tribal member. RedWing Design began in 1997, designing contemporary clothing for stage performers, then began to design custom orders for street wear and Traditional wear, and incorporated other projects with embroidery, weaving and other needlework craft. In 2019, the name changed to RedWing Collections.

Since her youth days, Shirley's inspirations come from the Tamaya land, the Tamaya culture and the Tamaya language. The visions from meditation, prayers and manifestations are incorporated into any RedWing garment or project. The biggest inspiration comes from her late mother, Felicita Pino. Her mother was talented with designing, sewing and embroidering many different types of contemporary and traditional attire. Shirley credits all of her teachings to her late mother, as she taught her the precise, intricate and loving ways to continue sewing with machine and hand needlework.

RedWing gives back to the community with donations, as well as setting up community events for the elders and youth. She also supports different groups and organizations, with her time and in being a guest speaker or a mentor. Shirley Pino appreciates each and every person in her life that inspire her on a daily basis. She is most thankful for the love and support that comes from community members, family and especially children that also inspire her to continue her craft that she immensely enjoys.

Layla M. Dehaiman is the Director of School Climate for Albuquerque Public Schools. Layla grew up in New Mexico and attended Albuquerque Public Schools. In her work she focuses on building capacity with students and staff to create positive, inclusive, and supportive environments through the use of social emotional learning, restorative practices, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and other humanistic behavior supports for students. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Syracuse University and is focusing her dissertation on the school-to-prison-pipeline and restorative practices. In her free time she is an avid urban gardener, baker, cook, fermenter, and loves to be outdoors.

Lena Sage, currently a Resource Teacher for the Special Education Social Emotional Learning Team. Lena is a member of the Diné tribe. She's been a Teacher in Special Education for 16 years. Received her MA in SPED from University of New Mexico '05, BA from University of Notre Dame '98, and Graduated Rehoboth Christian High School in Gallup, NM '94. In her free time she enjoys Notre Dame football, video games, and eventually winning the lottery.

Michelle Felicia Rentería, the School Climate Coordinator for Albuquerque Public Schools. She is a native New Mexican. She has served students in higher education throughout the state for over twenty years. Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration from New Mexico State University and is a Board Certified Coach. Michelle is active in organizations that support restorative justice, student success and graduation. As the APS School Climate Coordinator, she supports sixty APS elementary school Behavior Redirectors.

Deanna Valdez, Ph.D., LPCC, NCC, Licensed School Counselor, began her career in education as a high school English teacher over two decades ago and continues to serve Albuquerque Public Schools students, staff and community as a Crossroads Counselor at Valley High School. She is also a professor at New Mexico Highlands University where she teaches in the Counseling program. She completed both a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and a Master's degree in Counseling at the University of New Mexico and most recently completed a doctorate degree in Counseling at Oregon State University.

Debbie Chavez Medina, LPCC, a Licensed Clinical Counselor. Debbie has worked in education for over 34 years as a teacher and counselor. She is currently a Crossroads Counselor for Albuquerque Public Schools at Del Norte High School. She has been a Crossroads Counselor for 11 years and focuses on support for individuals and families who are negatively impacted by substance use.

Mr. Keeswood is a member of the Navajo Tribe residing in San Juan County in the community of Tse’ Daa’ Kaan’ (Hogback, NM). He is of the Yucca Fruit People and born for Red Streak Running into the Water People. He works at Navajo Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services in Shiprock, NM as a Certified Prevention Specialist and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor.

Weyhan Moon Smith, a Peer Support Worker, a trained CSPW and has created a Peer Support Program at First Nations. People call him Moon. Weyhan means moon in his original Algonquin language and he clearly reflects a life that honors the traditional ways in which he was raised. Growing up as part of the Shinnecock Nation in New York, life revolved around ceremony, singing, dancing, and sweat lodges.

In May of 2019 Moon decided to make his journey from New York to New Mexico to be with his three incredible boys and be a full-time dad to them. He likes to network and stay connected and doing peer work helps him walk his talk. Most importantly, he lives a life that reflects his lineage and his dreams.

John Williams, APS Indian Education High School Resource Teacher and founder of Native Roots, and enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Sioux Nation. He attended Tuba City Public Schools K12, has a Bachelor Degree in Education at Arizona State University, and a Masters Degree in Counseling at the University of New Mexico. Throughout his life he has been able to balance his professional career with that of a performing musician, including producing five CDs and touring the US, Europe, New Zealand and India. He is the sponsor of the APS Native American Leadership Council which has produced pow wows, fashion shows, community dinners, and storytelling events. John is dedicated to empowering Native Youth.

Lorenzo Jim, Dine/Navajo, is a Licensed Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor and certified Traditional Counselor/Hataalii with the Dine Hataalii Association currently managing the Native American Traditional Wellness & Integrative Care Program at First Nations Community HealthSource, a Title V Urban American Indian Health Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Jim has extensive knowledge and experience in program/curriculum development toward the integration of Native American Traditional/Cultural wellness and curative processes into modern health care, legal, educational and social systems.

His professional background includes military/federal counter-drug leadership, law enforcement corrections and substance addictions counselor in both inpatient/outpatient integrated treatment programs for juveniles and adults. He provides cultural care programming for Bernalillo County Metropolitan & 2nd Judicial District Drug Courts. He is currently a Cultural Services Provider at the Children, Youth & Families Department, Juvenile Justice Services and is a Native American Care Chaplain at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Cody St. Arnold (Jicarilla Apache/Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe) is the Health Communications Specialist/Graphic Designer at the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center. After printmaking and selling artwork around the country and Albuquerque for the last decade, Cody now uses his graphic specialties to promote health education and communication for Indigenous communities and more. He is the designer of the artwork for the Spring 2021 HNYVC and enjoys promoting his designs through his Instagram (@codysaintarnold) and on his website: codysaintarnold.studio

Denica Tafoya is originally from Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico and is currently living in Durango, Colorado where she is a junior at Fort Lewis College, studying Early Childhood Education. Along with being a student, Tafoya is a part of the Fort Lewis College Pueblo Alliance and is currently serving as the 2021-2022 Fort Lewis College Hozhoni Ambassador.

Mila Padilla was born and raised in Shiwina (Zuni Pueblo) by strong women. Currently, Mila Padilla is a Shiwi’ma Bena:we teacher for the APS Indian Education Department serving thirty A:shiwi students. Mila understands her students because she too, is a second language learner. Mila has a Bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Mila will be presenting with her students about the importance of learning Shiwi’ma Bena:we.

Mary Whitehair-Frazier, FNCH Cultural Care Provider, is a professor at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), a tribal college in Albuquerque, NM and a Cultural Care Provider at First Nation’s Traditional

Wellness Program. Her passion as an educator is teaching Native American Students and assist with Native language/Navajo language programs and provide training and guidance to school personnel, families, communities, the Navajo Nation, and Indigenous communities.

Patrick Trujillo, FNCH Cultural Care Provider, Indian name is tsinatyi (Rain Clouds), Sun and Young Corn Clan. 42 years of marriage to the same beautiful native woman. Rain is a blessing and it helps to grow and I'm proud of that as a Native Man. I'm from the Pueblo's of Kotyit (Cochiti) and Walatowa (Jemez). Speak my native language, Keres and then English. I enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and being close to Mother Earth. I work here at the Traditional Wellness Program as a Cultural Care Provider/Cultural Mentor of First Nations. I'm a traditional practitioner and spiritual advisor. In my life today, I enjoy humor, "Laughter is Good Medicine" and just living a prosperous and beautiful life. My hobbies are fishing, dining, and being around people to build and create positive energy throughout Indian Country. I have so much to teach and learn from everyone, especially the young people and also to give as well.

Kahleya Chapman, Zuni-Junior-Cibola High School student and musician

Bianca Benson, Navajo-Sophomore-Highland High School

Jordan Tsosie, Navajo-Senior-Albuquerque High School

Felice Foster, Navajo-Senior-Albuquerque High School

Edwina Valdo, Pueblo of Acoma, HHSD Interim Executive Director

Shelly Chimoni, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce “beWellnm” Native American Community Outreach

Jennifer Sandoval, Tribal Liaison for Presbyterian Health Service Centennial Care

Aliyah Shutiva, Pueblo of Acoma, Health & Human Services Department

Kari Vallo, Pueblo of Acoma, Health & Human Services Department