2024 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards

The Phoenix Indian Center congratulates the winners of its 2024 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards. Each year, awards are given in nine categories for nominees who demonstrate dedication, leadership, and commitment to the advancement and development of the cultural, educational, social, economic, or political welfare of the American Indian Community. Our 2024 winners in the following categories include:

• Kent C. Ware Lifetime Achievement Award: Jack Ahasteen (Diné)
• Phyllis J. Bigpond Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Juliette Roddy (Ojibwe and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians)
• Woman of the Year: Loris Taylor (Hopi)
• Person of the Year: Eddie George/ Navi Ho (Diné)
• Business of the Year: Ahehee’ Shidine’e Homecare
• Volunteer of the Year: Barbara Tinhorn (Hualapai Tribe)
• Friend of the Community: Cooper Davis 
• College Student of the Year: Angellisa J. Hoffman (San Carlos Apache) – Northern Arizona University
• High School Student of the Year: Natasha Juan (Gila River Indian Community)

The Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards program, formerly known as Native American Recognition Days Awards, has continued for more than 40 years. The awards were presented in a ceremony at the Heard Museum on November 22, 2024.

To view previous winners, click here. 

Mental Health Art Contest 

Calling all Indigenous artists, our annual Mental Health Art Contest has officially opened! Artists must submit an art piece showcasing Indigenous resiliency through one of the two provided options, and this year we have two age categories: youth (ages 16-24) and adult (ages 25+). Swipe to read more about the themes of belonging and generosity.

• Option 1: Belonging – Create an artistic depiction of what belonging means to you.
• Option 2: Generosity – Create an artistic depiction of the importance of generosity and/or what generosity means to you.

The first place winner for each age category will have their artwork featured at the 2025 American Indian Suicide Prevention Convening (SPC), their artwork will be showcased on a t-shirt, and they will receive a special prize!

• Submission Guidelines:
  • All entries should be original creations and should not contain anything that is copyrighted.
  • Submissions should indicate which option was chosen (belonging OR generosity) and age category it’ll be submitted for.
  • Submit work in PNG or JPEG format.
  • Media submissions can include but are not limited to: painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media, and digital art. 
  • Art submissions must be submitted by Jan. 03, 2025

Please send your art submission to bsantistevan@phxindcenter.org to be entered. If you have any questions please reach out to the provided contact or call the Phoenix Indian Center at 602-264-6768.  

We invite you to join us for the #AMileFor community walk, a special event during National Suicide Prevention Month that brings us together to remember our loved ones impacted by suicide and to raise awareness for mental health resources. This campaign turns to our cultural ways of using physical activity as a way to heal and support one another. 

Event details: 
Date: Saturday, September 28th 
Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 
Location: 4041 N Central Ave, Building B, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Free #AMileFor t-shirts and customizable signs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis! Be sure to wear purple, bring some water, and don’t forget to invite your friends, family, and even your fur babies to join the walk. Together, we’ll take steps toward hope and healing for our community. We hope to see you there!

For questions, call our Prevention Team at 602-264-6768