Rick Baker (Tewa/Hopi Tribe)
Kent C. Ware Lifetime Achievement
Educator, Hopi Junior/Senior High School
Cross Country coach with 27 state championships
Tia Bruisedhead (Walla Walla/Yakama/Diné)
Phyllis J. Bigpond Lifetime Achievement
Counseling Faculty, Scottsdale Community College
Change maker through counseling and teaching
Baje Whitethorne, Sr. (Navajo)
Spirit of the Heard Award
(presented by the Heard Museum)
Renowned Navajo Artist, Founder of Art of the People
Honorable Stephen Roe Lewis (Gila River Indian Community)
Man of the Year
Governor, Gila River Indian Community
Committed to promoting and protecting the Community’s
shudag (water) and agricultural development
Honorable Jennifer Jermaine (White Earth Ojibwe)
Woman of the Year
State Representative, Arizona House of Representatives
Chairwoman for the statewide taskforce investigating
missing and murdered women and girls advocate
Wenona Benally (Navajo)
Woman of the Year
Assistant Attorney General for Pascua Yaqui Tribe
and former State Representative
Missing and murdered women and girls advocate
Indian Country Today
Business of the Year
Mark Trahant – Editor (Shoshone-Bannock Tribe)
Committed to preserving culture and tradition through journalism
Sheila Lopez (Diné)
Volunteers of the Year
Diversity Program Manager, Intel Corporation
Volunteer and advocate for LGBTQ2S
Tony Davis
Friend of the Community
Detective, City of Phoenix Police Department
Committed to protecting and advocating for the American Indian Community
Shailene Edwards (San Carlos Apache Tribe)
Female College Student of the Year
Student – Arizona State University
Young Leader committed to Health and
Wellness in the American Indian Community
D. Gonzales (Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community)
Male College Student of the Year
Student – Northern Arizona University
Young Leader and Entrepreneur
Candice Joe (Navajo)
Female High School Student of the Year
Student – Sierra Linda High School
Youth Leader, Future Inspired Native American Leaders Corresponding Secretary
Tristan Craig (Navajo/White Mountain Apache)
Male High School Student of the Year
Student – New School For the Arts and Academics
Youth Leader, Future Inspired Native American Leaders Council Member