I am a Mexicani/Apache, adopted Oglala Lakota & Tlingit Indian man who has lived in Alaska over 45 years. I have demonstrated sobriety and a drug free lifestyle for over 38+ continuous years. During this time, I have worked to spread the message of sobriety, culture, and healthy lifestyle including being tobacco free for over 33 years.

Currently I am retired from my position at Akeela, Inc. as the Director of Prevention Services. I am, however, available as a consultant for short term projects. Prior to that I was the Tobacco Prevention & Policy Manager. My work then offered technical assistance to behavioral health providers regarding tobacco use dependence/nicotine addiction within the treatment setting. I also worked with Alaska Department of Corrections to ensure tobacco cessation information is offered to inmates prior to be released. This effort will help curb recidivism rates.

These days besides contract work I spend my time creating jewelry at home. It keeps my sense of creativity active. You can view my work at my Etsy SacredKeepsakes webpage https://www.etsy.com/shop/SacredKeepsakes

I have also worked for the Alaska Native Health Board in several capacities; working with 2 separate tobacco prevention programs (CDC & RWJF) and an additional role as Wellness Coordinator, a statewide position that offered technical assistance including training, coordination and planning for communities in rural Alaska.

My background includes a wide variety of human service positions. Several of these positions are:

Substance abuse counseling for both youth and adults

Providing suicide prevention and life skills training

Community outreach counselor

Director of Nome Teen Center

Healthy Nations Program community development coordinator, and

Advocate for the prevention and cessation of tobacco use for over 31 years

One of the beliefs I have is: Each person has the ability to heal their self. This is possible by taking action, learning from your culture (or the culture around you), and through the use of prayer, meditation, and ceremony; anyone can discover a sense of healing (resolution).