Phoenix, Arizona - June 11, 2021 - The Phoenix Indian Center announces the recipients of the 2021 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards. This annual recognition celebrates individuals and organizations in Arizona who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement, promotion, and development of the cultural, educational, social, economic, or political welfare of the American Indian community, or have provided significant contributions to the American Indian economy.

"Each year we have an exceptional group of honorees who have made a tremendous impact in the American Indian community, and this year is no exception," said Phoenix Indian Center CEO, Patricia Hibbeler. "We invite the entire Arizona community to join us virtually in celebrating and recognizing the awardees. We congratulate these remarkable individuals and organizations," added Hibbeler.

The 2021 award recipients are:

James RidingIn, Ph.D.

(Pawnee)

Kent C. Ware Lifetime Achievement 

Retired, Arizona State University

Barbara Poley

(Laguna and Hopi)

Phyllis J. Bigpond Lifetime Achievement

Retired, Hopi Foundation

Lomasumi’nangwtukwsiwmani

Frances Stout

(Tohono O'odham)

Spirit of the Heard Award 

(presented by the Heard Museum)

Christopher Sharp, M.S.W., M.P.A

(Colorado River Indian Tribe)

Man of the Year

Director of the Office of American Indian Projects & Clinical Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

Ethel Branch

(Navajo)

Woman of the Year

Interim Executive Director & Board Chairperson, Navajo & Hopi

Families COVID-19 Relief Fund

Titan Facility Services

Business of the Year

David Beaver - CEO

(Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska)

Raul Mendoza

(Tohono O'Odham)

Friend of the Community

Retired, Educator and Coach

Medicine Wheel Riders

Volunteer of the Year

Rez Riders

Volunteer of the Year

Shay Allison

(Navajo)

College Student of the Year

2021 Graduate, Arizona State University

Trinity Manuelito

(Navajo)

College Student of the Year

Junior, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Online

Stephen Louis

(Navajo)

High School Student of the Year

2021 Graduate, Higley High School

Angel Polk

(San Carlos Apache)

High School Student of the Year

Senior, Xavier College Preparatory High School

The Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards virtual event is scheduled for Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 6:00PM (PST). You can watch the event on Phoenix Indian Center Facebook Live and on the Phoenix Indian Center website at https://phxindcenter.org/community-engagements/arizona-american-indian-excellence-in-leadership-awards/. Individuals may receive more information by calling us at 602-264-6768.

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PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER

Founded in 1947, the Phoenix Indian Center is the oldest American Indian non-profit organization in the United States. Each Year, the center directly serves more than 7,000 individuals, and more than 20,000 through related outreach, by providing services in the areas of job readiness, cultural enrichment, youth services, and prevention programs. Learn more at www.phxindcenter.org.