Women’s group rolls out first hall of fame

BY COLLEEN KEANE
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

WINDOW ROCK – Several outstanding tribal members and organizations were admitted into the Nation’s inaugural hall of fame, featuring youth and elders, last week.

Inductees exemplify moral character while inspiring commitment, dedication and compassion to improve lives in local communities, according to nomination material prepared by the Navajo Nation Women’s Commission.

The medal of honor recipients are: Emmett Bia Sr., Nancy Evans, Katherine Mitchell Hardy, Healing Circle Drop In Center, the Shiprock Lady Chieftains, David “Bronco” Martinez, Tyra Nicolay, Navajo Nurses United for Research, Services and Education (N-Nurse), New Mexico State Sen. John Pinto, Restoring and Celebrating Family Wellness, Telletha Valenski, Bobby White and Louise Yellow man.

The commission, which created the event, is chaired by Vivian Arviso, who represents the Fort Defiance Agency.

Commissioners include: Lolita Paddock, Western Agency; Ramona Begay, Eastern Agency, Charlotte Begaye, Chinle Agency; and Rev. Shirley Montoya, Northern Agency.

Each of the inductees was nominated by community members and/or professional associates familiar with their contributions.

Around 120 guests and family attended the ceremony including Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye, former Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and former first lady Martha Shelly and American Indian Graduate Center Director Sam Deloria.

Royalty included Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen Zunneh-bah Martin and Miss Navajo Technical University Brandy Joey.

During the ceremony, held at the Department of Transportation on Aug. 30, Begaye ceremoniously presented each of the inductees with a handcrafted medal of honor and certificate, while members of the commission graciously thanked them.

The hall of fame recipients demonstrate how one individual or program can make a huge difference for a community and a Nation.

Here are some highlights:

• Holding an advanced degree in psychology, Telletha Valenski was honored for coordinating the “Together We Rise” youth leadership program in the Four Corners area and for her international work as a health advocate. She said her greatest joy was seeing a youth she mentored – Tyra Nicolay – join her as an inductee into the hall of fame.

• Nicolay, a college freshman this fall, was nominated for co-founding Eagles Innovation Effect, an advocacy training program, while she attended Navajo Preparatory School and for her anti-tobacco work that has won her numerous national awards.

• David “Bronco” Martinez, one of several elders nominated, said humbly, “This is one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever had. It’s an honor to be here on the same stage as these famous elders around the reservation. This is a big deal for me.”

Martinez is pretty famous himself. He’s well known for putting the Crown point Rug Auction on the international map, singing country and western songs, acting in feature films, and being the first Navajo auctioneer.

• Serving the Navajo Nation as controller for the past 18 years, Bobby White was acknowledged for strengthening the long-term financial outlook for the Navajo Nation.

“He is instrumental in touching every life on the Navajo Nation because of his experience and knowledge in investments,” explained the moderator.

Several other trailblazers were inducted into the hall of fame: Pinto, Bia, Yellow man and Evans.

• Representing New Mexico’s 3rd District, Pinto, a Democrat, is the longest-serving member of the state senate. During his ongoing tenure, now 40 years, he was a major force behind the establishment of the Department of Indian Affairs and the tribal infrastructure fund, while championing an improved highway system on Navajo Nation lands.

• Former councilman Bia stepped onto the stage with Priscilla, his wife of 57 years, to be acknowledged for taking some of the first steps to create a tribally controlled school – the Rough Rock Demonstration School.

• Yellow man, the first Diné woman to serve as a county supervisor in the state of Arizona and one of the longest-serving supervisors, advocated for water rights, recognition of treaty rights and environmental justice.

In cleaning up toxic waste sites in the western region of the Navajo Nation, she made sure Diné voices were heard.

• Evans was one of the first members of the Navajo Nation to receive a master’s degree in social work. As director of the BIA and Navajo Nation social services, she focused on reversing the longtime practice of sending children, elders and disabled to off-reservation programs and homes.

After accepting her award from Begaye, she challenged other retired social workers to put their experience and knowledge to work by joining her in sharing ideas for realistic solutions to contemporary problems and issues.

• One of the oldest members of the Navajo Nation, Hardy, born in 1912, was honored for exemplifying the values of hozho’ and k’e.

“Our Diné teachings tell us about having a long life. Katherine Hardy has certainly exemplified that,” noted moderator Arviso.

Several organizations were also inducted into the hall of fame.

• Recognized for their work to integrate the Diné worldview into nursing curriculum and continuing education, were N-Nurse’s President Ursula Knoki Wilson and board members Erma Marbut, Jeanette Yazzie, Dorinda Welle, Karine Crow, Grace Marks, Barbara Overman, Linda Petri and Loyce Phoenix.

• Betsy Yazzie and the staff of the Healing Circle Drop In Center in Shiprock were honored for empowering community members by providing resources and support based on the traditional teachings of k’e and hozho’.

• The RCFW committee, made up of representatives from Northern Navajo chapters, service providers, universities and community volunteers, were recognized for teaching the Navajo wellness model at community conferences and events.

• The Lady Chieftains entering the hall of fame include: Kasy Begay, Lisa Begay, Tanisha Begay, Chamika Begaye, Tierra Clichee, Paige Dale, Tayya Dale, Tyana Harry, Evette Lansing, Kylie McKinley, Melanie Secody, Delaina Tsosie, Tia Woods and Tiontai Woods, along with their coaches, trainers and managers.

“These young women won state championship for years. I’m proud of them, their leaders and the encouragement of their parents,” announced the moderator. Arviso said that the event will be annual.

“There are many people who work very hard and deserve to be honored,” she said.

The hall of fame will be established in the Navajo Nation president’s office in the near future.

Information: navajowomenscommission. navajo-nsn.gov

To participate in Nancy Evan’s Social Worker Call to Action write her at P.O. Box 2957 Shiprock, NM, 87420.