Marcus Harrison Jr. Leadership Award

Marcus Harrison, Jr., (Comanche) –

Former Chief Executive Officer of Native Health, located in Phoenix, Arizona was instrumental in arranging the community Talking Circles in 2004 that led to the first Urban American Indian Disability & Vocational Rehabilitation Summit the following year and has continued successfully each year since, now known as the American Indian Disability Summit. Mr. Harrison was a leader in the community and strongly advocated for those who needed a voice.

The Marcus Harrison, Jr., Leadership Award was established to acknowledge others working to keep that voice of advocacy for American Indians with disabilities alive through his/her leadership and dedication. “The inspiration behind the painting of “A Warrior’s Vision” comes directly from Marcus Harrison himself. He wanted to do as much as he could to make a better road toward connecting health concerns of American Indian people with education and availability of health services. As the artist of this oil painting, I made every effort to capture the visions, ideas, spirit and plans that Marcus Harrison shared with me. The painting is of a traditional dancer; the dancer is represented as a spirit painted in black and white. His top feathers are a sign of his bravery and his eagle feather visor is to help his vision stay sharp as the eagle’s eyes to see danger, adversity and the enemy. The eagle plume he wears is to honor his grandmother, his mother, his female relatives, and all American Indian women. The main part of the picture is his shield, which is the only part of the picture that has color.

The emblem depicted on the shield represents the Comanche Nation, of which Marcus was a member. The meaning behind the colorful shield is this, although this young man has begun his journey along the spirit path, his vision, ideas, spirit and plans are still alive. Oyate kin (the people) are keeping his vision alive, such as the people who are involved with the American Indian Disability Summit; they are helping to continue this vision. I believe this is the greatest honor to my young brother.”

Mitakunye Oyasin
Rush, Artist, Great Sioux Nation

Treva Roanhorse – Marcus Harrison Jr. Leadership Award Recipient for 2022

Treva Roanhorse, a member of the Navajo Nation, is fluent in the Navajo language and has a strong value of Navajo traditional culture and way of life. She resides in Tohatchi, New Mexico with her husband, Anslem Roanhorse. Mrs. Roanhorse received her education at the University of Arizona in Rehabilitation Counseling and social work.

Mrs. Roanhorse is the former president of the Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR) organization from 1994 to 2014.  CANAR was established in January 1993 as a voice and advocacy that represents American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR) programs in the country. At the inception of CANAR, there were only a few AIVR programs. Today there are 88 AIVR programs, which provide services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives with disabilities on reservations and in Alaskan Native villages. Mrs. Roanhorse was one the first six tribal VR program directors and has demonstrated her ability to provide leadership and administer the Navajo Nation Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) program as well as represent Navajo OSERS at tribal, state and federal levels.

Mrs. Roanhorse served on many local, state and national organizations and committees, such as the New Mexico State Rehabilitation Council; New Mexico Commission for the Blind; New Mexico Indian Education Advisory Council; San Diego State University Region 9 RCEP Policy Board; Advisory Committee on Tribal VR Training and Technical Assistance and others. She was inducted into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2015 as a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Mrs. Roanhorse was one of 25 named outstanding leaders, selected for their demonstrated commitment to mentoring and positively impacting the lives of people with disabilities.

Most recently Mrs. Roanhorse joined the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities as a consultant for the newly established Native Center for Disabilities to help improve inclusive employment outcomes for Native American youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Mrs. Roanhorse’s passion, dedication and contributions to improving the lives of countless Navajo individuals with disabilities over the years speaks volumes of her leadership and commitment to service.