Holly Figueroa and Steward Health Choice Arizona Cultural Competency & Tribal Services hosted an amazing conference and Native American celebration on November 16 in Flagstaff!!

The program opened with prayers by Uqualla, a dynamic Medicine Man from the Havasupai Tribe. We heard from several keynote speakers on topics designed to facilitate healing among Native American communities.

Albert Pooley of the Hopi and Navajo Native American cultures emphasized the importance of loving the people you serve and loving the message you deliver. He is the Founder of the Native American Fatherhood & Family Association and designer of the Fatherhood is Sacred, Motherhood is Sacred program, serving communities across the United States. 

Larold Pinal, Traditional Healer from Apache Behavioral Health taught us about the new cultural program implemented in his community to compliment western behavioral health services. Through his model he discussed the importance of reminding youth about who they are, their traditional language and how to follow the way of the true Apache in order to live in harmony.

During lunch, we were treated to spiritually moving and uplifting traditional entertainment brought to us by the Black Mountain Bird Singers  from the Colorado River Indian Tribe https://youtu.be/sEfiuJMWMjQ and the Cibecue Apache Crown Dancers from the Cibecue Apache. https://youtu.be/NlMrOFO2E3g

Wonderful people from across the state, including lovely Tonya Hamilton of Governor Ducey's Office of Youth, Family and Faith, were in attendance and added to the festive family feel to the event. 

Enjoy the links to the talented and soulful Native American performers!