2024 Keynote Presentation

2023 Keynote Presentation

2021 Keynote Presentations

Dr. Gregory Redhouse is an Assistant Professor at Diné College, the first tribally controlled and accredited collegiate institution in the United States.

His academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Masters degree in American Indian Studies with a concentration in Federal-Indian Law and Policy, a second Masters degree in Higher Education, and a Ph.D. in American Indian Studies with a focus in Native Nation-building. 

Dr. Redhouse has been a college professor since 1997 when Navajo Community College (NCC) was transitioning to its current name, Dine College (DC).  In fact, Dr. Redhouse has been affiliated with NCC/DC for nearly three decades, when he started as an undergraduate student majoring in Liberal Studies and a student-athlete with the 1991-1992 NCC Archery Team.  After earning his BA and MA from the University of Arizona, Dr. Redhouse returned to DC’s Tsaile campus to teach from 1997 to 2007; including the summers of 2009, 2010, and 2011.  He also coached the DC Archery Team from 1999 to 2007.

Dr. Redhouse has also instructed a variety of courses at other institutions: Tohono O’odham Community College, Navajo Technical University, the University of Arizona, and here at Pima Community College.

His work experience with a diverse student population is significant, at both tribal and mainstream institutions, by catering to people of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, and disabilities.  He is a U.S. Marine Veteran who benefitted from the Montgomery G.I. Bill, and earned his Ph.D. after successfully defending his dissertation, “The University Experiences of Post-9/11 Native American Veterans: Strategic Support for Inclusion, Retention, & Success.”  He has volunteered with the University of Arizona to provide lectures upon “American Democracy during the Civil War.”  This was a collaboration with the Warrior Scholar Project (WSP) based out of Washington D.C. and was a week-long seminar sponsored by the Warrior Scholar Organization and the University of Arizona’s Veterans Education & Transition Services (VETS). 

Dr. Redhouse is an avid archer and enjoys training his children for future archery tournaments. He grew up with a ranching and farming background in the community of Dennehotso and is eager to return to a self-sustaining lifestyle so that he can continue to teach his children the value of hard work and to appreciate the fruits of their labor.  

At the end of each lecture, Dr. Redhouse will often express to his students: “Moderation is the key word, pace yourselves…and make sure you have a plan…including a contingency plan.”

As a Veteran, Dr. Redhouse was instilled with the Marine Corps motto: “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome” obstacles.

As a Navajo, he was instilled with Navajo values: “T’aa hwo ajit’eego t’eiya” (only you can take the initiative).

Dr. Gregory Redhouse is of the Todich’iinii (Bitter Water) clan and born for the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms) clan.

His maternal grandfather’s clan are the Tsenjikini (Cliff-dweller) and his paternal grandfather’s clan are the Kinlichiinii (Redhouse).  He is the proud father of three children: Haylei, Bradley, and Octavia.

It is my honor and pleasure to introduce Ms. Sylvia Rios.

Ms. Rios has tribal enrollment with the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians, serves as Admin to the Council, and is one of the founding members of the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians' Yaqui Women's Sage Clan Society.

Sylvia's presentation is titled, "Sowing Seeds of My Culture: A Com Mother at Home & Across the Ocean."

I want to share a little bit about this title.

I am grateful to say that Ms. Rios was one of the students who traveled to Ireland in 2018 as part of the Pima College Study Abroad Ireland Program. As Sylvia shares in her presentation, "Corn Mother" was assigned to her during that trip.

Here is the backstory!

I had heard of a program in the Southwest, Return of the Corn Mothers, that honored women who were instrumental in their communities in keeping cultural traditions alive, embodying the spirit of their communities, and nurturing those around them, including future generations. What a wonderful idea!

During the Study Abroad in Ireland, faculty were directed to designate leaders in their groups. During that process, I thought of Sylvia - not just as a leader on the Study Abroad, but in all I knew of her.

It had been an honor to serve with her, when she was President of the Pima College Native American Student Association. I saw how she worked to support and organize meetings for the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians.  She shared with me how she was working hard to teach her children and grandchildren about her traditions. And before we left for the Ireland Study Abroad trip, she made Ojo de Venados to use in blessing our hosts in Ireland.

So when we were asked during the trip to choose student leaders, I thought of Ms. Sylvia Rios as our Com Mother, the one who draws us together, shares her cultural traditions with grace, and supports us all with her wisdom.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Sylvia Rios!    ~Dianna Repp