Track 1: Youth & Family

Track 2: Health & Wellness

Track 3: Protecting our Community

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Brian Curley is a proud member of the Diné Nation. Brian is the son of Dr. Sherry Allison and the late Robert Curley, both from Shiprock, New Mexico. Alley David, from the Pueblo of Laguna, is Brian’s step-father. Brian grew up in Window Rock, Arizona and is a graduate of Window Rock High School.

In 2006 Brian earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism and in 2010 a Master’s degree in Public Administration, both from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduate school, Brian worked with First Nations Community HealthSource, a non-profit clinic in Southeast Albuquerque where he was the Program Manager for the Homeless Outreach Program. Brian worked extensively with the Native American homeless population in the Albuquerque area where he had the opportunity to work with other underserved, underrepresented, and vulnerable populations.

In 2014, Brian was accepted into the University of LaVerne College of Law in LaVerne, California located in the Los Angeles area. Brian graduated in 2017 with a Juris Doctorate and has since passed the New Mexico Bar Exam. Brian is now a practicing attorney specializing in family law with a law firm in Albuquerque.
Brian lives a life that is alcohol and drug free and balances the demands of his profession with activities that he enjoys such as staying active by jogging and lifting weights, dancing in pow-wows, traveling, and participating in Native American sweat lodges. Brian has often stated, “The day I stopped using alcohol and drugs, is the day I started living.”

Chenoa Bah Stilwell-Jensen, Dine, Dzil Tl’aani ninli, English yaaschiin, Ashiihi da’bichei, French Canadian da’nibinali, Tseyaato doo Corrales dee nagha.  She is a Cultural Care Provider. Chenoa Bah is passionate about being active with her family, hiking, being outdoors, cooking and eating delicious food from throughout the world.

Meet our Emcee

Isiah Yazzie is a 28-year-old Navajo comedian born and raised in Gallup, NM. He started performing stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy in 2015. Living in the "American/Western" society has helped Isiah write jokes that point out the duality of life as an Indigenous comedian. He has attended The Second City in Chicago and Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. In 2016, he founded Rez City Improv with Ernest David Tsosie as a Co-Founder. His comedy includes politics, social observations, and the duality of Native life. You can read about his journey from starting at Second City to performing in casinos and empty restaurants in "We Had A Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans and Comedy," written by best-selling author Kliph Nesteroff. Isiah teamed up with Harry Gantz to start Pick Up New Mexico, which was created to inform voters about issues and current elections in New Mexico. 

Youth & Family Track

Jennifer S. Nanez, MSW, LMSW, currently serves as a Senior Program Therapist with the University of New Mexico, Division of Community Behavioral Health in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.   Ms. Nanez is an enrolled tribal member of the Pueblo of Acoma.  Ms. Nanez has been in the social work and education fields for over 25 years, with experience working across Tribal, Urban Indian, Federal and University Systems; all with an emphasis in serving the American Indian population.  Ms. Nanez’s interests lie in suicide prevention and mental health treatment support.

Davina Nez, is a full-time Substance Use Prevention Specialist II with the Community Health at Presbyterian. Davina is a Dine from Fort. Defiance, Arizona. She now resides in Albuquerque, NM.  She is the Honey Comb Rock People (Tsenijikini), born for Todichiinii Clan (Bitter Water). Davina has previously been employed with the Pueblo of Laguna Behavioral Health Prevention Program for three years and has worked with the Navajo Nation Department of Health (Navajo Health Education Program-HIV Prevention, Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral Health-MSPI & DVPI), Tsehootsooi Medical Center (Fit Families, HPDP). She has over 15 years experienced within the prevention field. She has completed her Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Public Health at Northern Arizona University and currently attending Grand Canyon University to obtain her Master's in Public Health. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2023. Davina is also a wife and a mother. She does have a blended family and children range from 23 years old to ten months. A total of 4 boys and 1 girl.

Renee L Levaldo (Acoma/Laguna) is from the Pueblo of Laguna where she is employed with Behavioral Health Services as a Prevention Specialist.  She has been a advocate for youth for over 20 years, working in youth programming with Acoma, Laguna and surrounding communities.  She has been a certified parenting facilitator for 5 years, specializing in attachment theory. Some programs she works with – Circles of Security, Positive Parenting Discipline and Positive Indian Parenting.  Renee believes parenting is a strong and necessary protective factor for our youth and will continue to assist and uplift to create strong families through good parenting skills.  Family is the center of our traditional culture, there is nothing more important then the roles of parenting.

Health & Wellness Track

Patrick Trujillo, FNCH Cultural Care Provider, Indian name is tsinatyi (Rain Clouds), Sun and Young Corn Clan.  42 years of marriage to the same beautiful native woman.  Rain is a blessing and it helps to grow and I'm proud of that as a Native Man.  I'm from the Pueblo's of Kotyit (Cochiti) and Walatowa (Jemez).  Speak my native language, Keres and then English.  I enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and being close to Mother Earth.  I work here at the Traditional Wellness Program as a Cultural Care Provider/Cultural Mentor of First Nations.  I'm a traditional practitioner and spiritual advisor.  In my life today, I enjoy humor, "Laughter is Good Medicine" and just living a prosperous and beautiful life.  My hobbies are fishing, dining, and being around people to build and create positive energy throughout Indian Country.  I have so much to teach and learn from everyone, especially the young people and also to give as well.

Kelli Wilson Begay comes from the Kickapoo, Seminole, and Muscogee Creek people; Tribal Nations now located in Oklahoma. Mrs. Begay’s diverse background and experiences as a Registered Dietitian, public health advocate, and entrepreneur have given her the opportunity to impact Indigenous communities in a variety of ways. For nearly 20 years, Kelli has focused her work on addressing public health issues affecting Native people and has an in-depth understanding of the unique qualities and complex barriers within Indian Country. She works with partners to find innovative strategies that are grounded in Native lifeways and values – a foundation for all her work. Kelli enjoys being an auntie, bonus mom, new dog mom, and lifelong learner who strives to interweave her passions and talents to best serve Native communities and ensure that her life's work honors her ancestors. Find out more at www.linktr.ee/aboutkelli .

Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray, Mohawk. Kahnawake has a diverse background, beginning with a Masters in Project Management. She has been working in the area of traditional agricultural revival for the last 20 years. She was honored to be a member of the Native Delegation to Terra Madre 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022 in Torino, Italy.  She was recently appointed as a  Slow Food International Indigenous Terra Madre (ITM) Advisory Board Member.  Working with Winona LaDuke and others, she helped to develop the Slow Food Turtle Island Association. Gray co-founded Kanenhi:io Ionkwaienthonhakie (We Are Planting Good Seeds), which built a substantial community greenhouse, established a community farmers’ market on the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation, and supports community gardens, and individual family farms. Gray is now Executive Director of the Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute in New Mexico, and manages programs on their educational farm and in various parts of the world. She is a founding member and active member of the Steering Committee of Slow Food Turtle Island Association. She is an activist in women’s rights and environmental issues and spent time at Standing Rock fighting the advances of the pipeline construction. She is a strong leader of youth empowerment, food traditionalism, and healing centered programming.

Protecting Our Community Track

Maria Bundy is the Certified Peer Support Worker at Presbyterian Community Health. She works in the Emergency Department at Presbyterian Hospital. Maria shares her personal lived experiences in long term recovery and connects people who come into the emergency department with resources and offering encouragement and hope. Maria participates in the New Mexico Tribal Behavioral Health Provider’s Association, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native American Women, and Interim Indian Affairs Committee. Maria is learning about her culture and wants to learn more about her culture and other tribes in the community. Maria is a mother of 3 daughters and is blessed with 4 grandchildren; 3 boys, Angel, Rivers, Elio and 1 beautiful granddaughter; Paisley. And loves to hike, explore in nature, and loves watching football and going to heavy metal concerts. Maria loves sharing about her recovery story because without a story there is no beginning to possibilities for miracles.

Eric Lemke is the Lead peer of the Peer Opioid Project at Presbyterian Community Health. He works in the Emergency Department at Presbyterian Hospital where he uses his lived experience to connect with individuals that come in with overdoses or other substance use disorder symptoms. He connects with them with resources and walks with them on their journey in recovery whatever they want that to look like. Eric is a certified trainer for the Office of Peer Recovery and Engagement, as well as a QPR (Question Persuade Refer) suicide prevention trainer, a Narcan trainer (Trains how to administer Narcan), a forensic peer specialist. He is a person in long-term recovery with a Sobriety date of May 25^th, 2006. He was in the food industry for over 30 years holding titles from Chief bottle washer to Executive Chef in sever local restaurants. Married with 3 children, 7 dogs, 4 cats, 2 birds, 3 sugar gliders and many assorted farm animals, including ducks, geese, chickens, and goats. He is happiest when providing hope to individuals who have none, fishing and working with wood or blacksmithing.

Cheryl Eaton has been working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations since May 2020 and is currently a Victim Specialist for the Durango/Farmington area. From 2016 to 2020 she worked as a Domestic Violence worker and Social Services Program Manager for the Jicarilla Behavioral Health Department. She also worked for Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico from December of 2007 to August 2016 as the Sexual Assault Child, Youth & Adult Enforcement Coordinator for Rio Arriba and McKinley counties. She was a member of the Sexual Violence Advisory Team for NM.  She has a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.  Her education includes an internship with Catholic Charities and the Housing Assistance program in Farmington, New Mexico researching Homelessness in Northern New Mexico.  She has served as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate for 15 years and a Domestic Violence Advocate for six years.  Mrs. Eaton has chosen to work in the field of victim services because she is passionate about helping victims, particularly in native communities.

Patrick Arthur is Dine’ from Vanderwagon, NM. He is Kiyaa’aani (Towering People) born for Taa’nezaah’nii (Tangle People). His paternal grandfather-chei is Naatoh’dine’ii (Tobacco People) and his maternal grandfather-nali is Taa’baahii (Edgewater People). He is self-employed as a traditional practitioner/advisor and has worked as a substance abuse counselor for UNM in Gallup. He is an active member of the 12-step program/sponsorship in Zuni and Gallup. He has also worked as a Traditional Counselor and Advocate. Patrick graduated from Wingate High School in 1979 then joined the Army from 1979-1986. He was Honorably Discharged as a SP4 Armor Crewman/Recon. In 1986, he joined the Union as an Ironworker until September 11, 2001. Patrick shares his personal lived experiences in long term recovery-walking the Red Road. He has 36 years in Sobriety. He currently helps people in recovery and sponsors them. Patrick has 3 girls and 1 boy, all grown. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and a certified Harley Davidson technician, his hobbies include hunting and art using clay and carving.

Marge Kelley, MS, MA, LPCC is the Clinical Director of The Mountain Center. Ms. Kelley has lived in New Mexico and worked in non-profits for 35 years and has been licensed by the NM Counseling and Practice Board since 1994. Her clinical background and experience is rich and includes working as Clinical Director for The Mountain Center, at CYFD's Behavior Health as the Wraparound Coordinator and as Clinical Director at the Santa Fe Recovery Center.

Laura Boyd Bassett, M.A., LPAT, LPCC, clinical supervisor at The Mountain Center, experienced working in residential and outpatient settings, performing group, individual, and family systems therapy, treating children, adolescent, and adult populations, complex trauma, co-occurring disorders, substance use disorder, attachment disorders, sex and love addiction, and autism spectrum disorders.

A conference that supports building capacity of tribal communities to 1) strengthen food to enhance diabetes and heart disease prevention strategies, 2) improve services for youth and families, and 3) discuss domestic, mental, and substance abuse and in Native communities.

One focus of the Annual Conference is on Youth and Family. Improving and promoting direct comprehensive services to youth, young adults, and families served by programs through training, technical assistance, communications and collaboration with various resources. A goal of this track is to provide a learning environment for sharing among programs for the benefit of young adults moving to become future leaders in their communities.

The second focus is on Health & Wellness and Native American nutrition devoted to the food and nutrition of Indigenous People. Momentum continues to grow in Indian Country around the revitalization of traditional foods, growth of food sovereignty, and stewardship of knowledge systems that support a healthy food future for all Indigenous people. The work is inspiring, and the networking and exchange that results from this event furthers the growth of the Indigenous food movement. Aligning knowledge from multiple traditions and connecting with one another are critical to promoting and preserving the health of Native people and the land long into the future.

Lastly, Protecting Our Community will feature high priority issues such as domestic, mental, and substance abuse affecting Native Americans in New Mexico.

2022 NAP Conference Agenda