Virtual and On Site Program at a Glance

We hope you can join us for the 19th Annual American Indian Disability Summit on March 24th, 2023, held both virtually and in-person!

“Gathering Native Voices to Learn from the Past, Prepare for the Future”

Held at Desert Willow Conference Center: 4340 E. Cotton Center Blvd. Phoenix, AZ, 85040. For directions, please call (602)-431-0001.

The winner of the 2023 Marcus Harrison Jr. Leadership Award will also be announced during the summit.

Opening Ceremony

8:30 am – 10:30 am

In the Cottonwood Ballroom

8:30AM-9AM: Presentation of Colors: Honor Guard from the Ira Hayes Post #84, Sacaton, AZ

Following the Presentation of Colors are the opening prayers and Blessing song, preformed by Grammy Award winner and flute maker, Aaron White. Following the Blessing song is The National Anthem and the Governors Proclamation and welcoming Darrel Christenson, Vice President of Community Integration at Ability360, along with Miss Indian Arizona for 2022-2023, Sistine Lewis, from Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

9AM-10AM: Introduction of Keynote Speaker, Kimberly Yellow Robe, Lakota

Respect for Natural Laws and Traditional Stories to Prevent Disharmony

Keynote Speaker
Hoskie Benally Jr. (Navajo)
Advocate
Native American Disability Law Center, New Mexico

10:15AM-10:30AM: Marcus Harrison Jr. Leadership Award presentation – 2023 Award winner:

Announcement of the Youth Track Award winner and workshops on March 25th, 2023

Break; Vendor/exhibitor hall opens

10:30-10:45 AM

YOUTH TRACK morning and afternoon sessions will be held Saturday, 3/25/23, in the Cottonwood Ballroom. Details to be announced at a later date.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

We are grateful to have guest speakers representing different areas of the disability field and varying perspectives on American Indian culture.

SESSION ONE

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

H.O.P.E. – Designed to Aid Students/Participants to Live in the Moment to the Fullest, with Honor

Speakers

Pershalie Ami

Location

Ocotillo Room

Honoring Those We Serve

Speakers

Lorita Thomas
Director
Soaring Eagles Home Care, Phoenix AZ

Location

Chia Room

Parents Taking Action to Improve Autism Services Access for Dine’ Families

Panel

Olivia Lindly, PhD
Candi Running Bear
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ

Location

Cottonwood Ballroom

Lunch

NOON-1:15 PM

SESSION Two

1:30-2:30 PM

Joing Forces: Building Collaborations to Address Sexual Violence Within Tribal Communities

Panel

Leigh Ann Davis
Gina Griffiths
Asim Dietrich

Location

Ocotillo Room

U.S. Indian Boarding Schools: “Remember the Children” Film Produced by Jim Warne

Speakers

Jim E Warne
CEO, Warrior Society Development MS,
Reabilitation Admin
San Diego, California

Location

Chia Room

Health Care Self-Advocacy

Speakers

Heather Williamson, DrPH
Northern Arizona University

Marissa Adams
Northern Arizona University

Julie Armin, PhD
University of Arizona

Location

Cottonwood Ballroom

Break; Vendor/exhibitor hall

2:30-2:45 PM

SESSION Three

2:45-3:45 PM

Supporting Youth with Disabilities in Their Transition to Employment

Speakers

Enmanuel Gomez Antolinez and Sidney Blodget
The Council of State Governments
CAPE Youth Center

Location

Ocotillo Room

Advocating for the Disabled

Speakers

Hoskie Benally Jr.
Community and Government Liaison
Native American Disability Law Center
Farmington, New Mexico

Location

Chia Room

Smoothing the Path to Adulthood for Students with Disabilities

Panel

Tona Treetop, MA
Tribal Education Dept.
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)
Sacaton, AZ

Location

Cottonwood Ballroom

CLOSING REMARKS

3:45 PM-4 PM

Save the Date

3rd Annual American Indian Youth Disability Summit

We hope you can join us for the 3rd Annual American Indian Youth Disability Summit on March 25th, 2023!

Learn More