Scholarships

Tribe: Navajo Nation Graduate: University of Arizona

Yá'át'ééh. Deandra Jones (she/her) identifies as Kinłichíí'nii, born for Ashįįhí (she is of the red house people and born for the salt people). Deandra is from Round Rock, AZ, located on the Navajo Nation. As a first-generation college student and currently a third-year Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona in Wildlife Conservation and Management, her research focuses on three primary objectives: estimating the black bear population within the Navajo Nation, mitigating increasing human-bear conflicts, and understanding Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) about black bears in Navajo culture. By interweaving TEK with scientific methodologies, her work will provide a comprehensive understanding of the species and its relationship with the local community. Deandra’s research will also provide valuable data to inform local wildlife management and community safety efforts. She is also committed to increasing access to STEM fields for Indigenous students and actively supports efforts to provide mentorship and resources for Native students in underserved areas.

Tribe: Klamath Tribe Graduate:

CTanikwah is a citizen of the Klamath Tribes located in Southern Oregon. She has previously worked with the Klamath Tribes Ambodat (of the water) department on restoring the population of the sacred C’waam and Koptu (Lost River and Shortnose sucker Fish). She has also interned with the USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations in Washington D.C where she contributed to the Native Fish Initiative. This exploratory initiative looks at ways USDA can support and uplift Indigenous, tribal, and rural communities that depend on fisheries for their sustenance, culture, and economic livelihood. Tanikwah also has experience hosting first food gatherings within her community that emphasize food as nutrition and connection to the land and each other. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and a minor in sustainability from the Oregon Institute of Technology. Tanikwah is currently in the Agroecology Master’s program where she can bring her passion for Indigenous food sovereignty and environmental sustainability to her research.

Tribe: Navajo Nation Graduate: Bowling Green State University

"Hello, I am Owen Yazzie, and I am from the Navajo Nation and grew up in Fruitland, New Mexico. I am a second-year graduate student enrolled in the MS Geology program at Bowling Green State University, conducting environmental magnetic research utilizing various rock magnetic techniques. Having earned my BA in Earth and Environmental Studies at Arizona State University, I utilize my environmental and geology background to conduct research on how ecological, fluvial, and sedimentary processes respond to hyperthermal warming. I aspire to contribute toward environmental protection and conservation efforts, as well as improve the resilience of Navajo communities from climate change induced environmental hazards. After my academic journey, I aim to work with the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency and seek a professorship to inspire Native youth toward pathways in environmental science and geology."

Tribe:Navajo Nation Graduate:Northern Arizona University

Amber Renee Archie is of the Navajo tribe from northeastern Arizona, she is Towering House Clan and is born for the Black Streak Wood People Clan. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Biology at Northern Arizona University (NAU), focusing on riparian restoration along the Little Colorado River, particularly near tribal lands. Her research explores sustainable restoration practices and management strategies that balance ecological conservation with community needs. Amber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology from NAU. During her post-baccalaureate fellowship, she developed a dryland restoration project within the Navajo Nation. Her commitment to environmental stewardship and supporting indigenous communities is further highlighted by her involvement in collaborative research. She contributed to a recently published study in the Journal of Sustainability Research, which explored Indigenous climate change perceptions through Tribal talking circles in the Colorado Plateau. Amber’s research aligns with broader efforts to restore biodiversity and address the impacts of climate change.

Tribe:HNavajo Nation Graduate:Northern Arizona University

"My name is Hanson Mike, and I am Diné from Whippoorwill, Arizona. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Durango, CO at Fort Lewis College with a BA in Environmental Studies and a certificate in Regenerative Food Systems. I am currently at Northern Arizona University completing a Masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy. My thesis research is underway Investigating Indigenous Involvement in Federal Conservation Policy: The Historical Geography of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. My goal in earning this degree is to use my research experience and passion for the environment to create solutions in water policy for Indigenous tribes and communities who seek to re-Indigenize water governance and stewardship of public lands and waters in the United States."

Tribe:Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove - Aleut Graduate:Washington State University

"I’m McKenna Merle and I am a proud 21-year-old Aleut woman who graduated with a biology degree, Cum Laude, from Washington State University in 2023 and am now in my 2nd year of Veterinary school at Washington State University. A deep-seated love of animals coupled with the overall need to uplift Native Communities set me on this path when I was four. Now, halfway done with my education, I can envision a future where I transcend traditional boundaries by reaching underserved communities and providing holistic low-cost services, increased healthcare accessibility, community education and the enhancement of both the animal and the human. Healthy working animals contribute to the health, welfare, and sustainability of both the owner and the environment. Disease prevention, zoonotic concerns, ecological impacts, and overpopulation can all be addressed by comprehensive animal knowledge and skills by one of our own! Relying on internal knowledge to support the diverse environment of the Indigenous Community will allow me to contribute in a meaningful and productive wa.y"

Tribe:Navajo Nation Graduate:Northern Arizona University

"Yá'át'ééh (Greetings). My name is Kirby Morris. My clans are Tódích'íi'nii nishłį́ (Meadow People Clan), Naakaii Dine'é bashishchiin (Mexican People Clan), Kinłichíi’nii dashicheii (Red House People Clan), Kinyaa’áanii dashinalí (Towering House Clan). I am from the Navajo Nation in Saint Michaels, Arizona. I am currently a second-year Master’s student in Biology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, with plans to graduate in Spring 2025 and begin my PhD program in Fall 2025. My research focuses on how climate change is affecting Pinus edulis (pinyon pine), a species vital to both the ecosystems and cultural traditions of the Southwest, and culturally and economically important to the Navajo Nation. With a strong foundation in environmental science and biology, I am equipped to address the complex natural resource challenges facing Indian Country. My involvement in ecological restoration projects reflects my dedication to integrating scientific research with the needs of my community."

Tribe:White Mountain Apache Tribe Undergraduate:Haskell Indian Nations University

"Dah’go’teh! My name is Latrell Dre Williams I am an enrolled member of The White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona. I am from a small town on the reservation known as Cibecue (Dishchii’bikoh). I am pursuing my Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. And I am set to graduate as an Honor Student in the Spring of 2025. While studying Environmental Science I was allowed to work for my Tribe under The White Mountain Apache Tribe-Water Resource Program (WMAT-WRP). I assist with Water Quality Testing, Geomorphology & Spring Surveys, Quantifying Stream-Flow Discharge Data, and Macroinvertebrate/Fish monitoring under the EPA Clean Water Act Programs. After my undergraduate degree at Haskell, I plan to attend graduate school to study Hydrology/Aquatic Ecology. As a kid I grew up in the Outdoors and my favorite outdoor hobby is fishing. Over the years at Haskell, I got to fish for King Salmon in Alaska, Steelhead Trout in Ohio, and the Blue Darter Fish in Kansas. However, my favorite trout to catch is the Apache Trout. The Arizona State Fish is found exclusively on my Reservation. My Goal is to be an advocate for conserving The White Mountain Apache Tribes' Natural Resources and beyond my reservation borders for the Next Generations to Come! Ah’hey’yeh’eh, Ashoog! (Thank You) Native American Fish and Wildlife Society."

Tribe:Cherokee Nationand Navajo Nation Undergraduate:Northern Arizona University

"My name is Kee Hernandez, and I am Cherokee, Navajo, and Vietnamese. Currently, I attend school at Northern Arizona University majoring in Forestry. I am a sophomore with a focus in wildland fire management. Over the course of the last six years, I volunteered at my Kansas City high school and was in charge of our holiday food baskets. My assigned tasks included collecting food can donations, promoting our food drive, and delivering turkeys or hams to families in need. The goal was not only to meet immediate needs but also to provide an abundance of nonperishable items and staples, ensuring that families could celebrate these holidays with the same joy as families everywhere. After college, I plan to spend much more time as an advocate for others. To ensure that I advocate for others I have stepped up as a volunteer for the past three years at the Heart of American Indian Center to ensure that people have their needs met for the weekly food pantry, pow wow events, and fundraisers. I plan to strengthen a sense of belonging for natives who do not live on the reservation but are looking for ways to connect and celebrate our identity."

Tribe:Choctaw Undergraduate:Southwestern Christian University

"My name is Payton Leba. As a proud member of the Choctaw tribe, I am extremely blessed and honored to receive NAFWS Southeast Regional Scholarship to help me reach my goals and honor my heritage. It has provided me with financial relief and the ability to dream bigger. I am a student athlete at Southwestern Christian University where I am playing softball and am majoring in Kinesiology. I am extremely passionate about being able to work in the medical field. I plan to go into Chiropractic care after graduating from my university. This financial opportunity has allowed me to focus on my classes and less on financial needs. I am committed to making the best out of this generous scholarship in order to contribute positively to the field of Kinesiology."