indigenouscircleofflagstaff
Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff Board of Directors
Who We Are
Meg Kaobtie Adakai
Board Member
Meg grew up in Flagstaff and graduated from Northern Arizona University with dual majors in Biology (B.S.) and Psychology (B.A.) with a minor in chemistry. Meg is currently the Market Manager for the Flagstaff Community Market. While at NAU, she worked in a stream ecology lab as well as for cellular and molecular biology lab doing research funded by The Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention. Since graduating, she has held many interesting jobs including positions at Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute, the Flagstaff Medical Center, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and Kinlani Bordertown Dormitory. She has many passions including sustainability, community investment, environmental stewardship, art, education, and gardening.
Chris Jocks
Board Member and Vice-Chair
Chris Jocks, Kahnawà:ke Mohawk, has been a member of ICF since 2015.
He is grateful and honored to have been welcomed into this circle, to which he has helped welcome many others.
He also teaches at Northern Arizona University, where he currently serves as Chair of the Department of Applied Indigenous Studies. He writes and teaches about history and current events related to sacredness in the world, including the presence of holy ones who watch over us from their home in the mountains above Flagstaff.
Travis Pinn
Board Member and Secretary
Travis Pinn is a registered member of Wasoqopa’q First Nation. After moving to Flagstaff in 2012, Travis became involved in local elementary schools, including coordinating Native events.
He joined the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff in 2019. He is a Northern Arizona University professor focusing on criminal justice and community development.
Travis serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Pam Jensen
Board Member and Chair
Pamela Jensen is a proud Diné woman of the Towering House clan (Kinyaa’áanii), born for the Black or Dark Streak-woods People clan (Tsinnijinnie’). Her maternal grandparents belong to the Manygoats clan (TÅ‚’izí lání), and her paternal grandparents are of the Mexican People clan (Naakai dine’é’). Born and raised in Tuba City, Arizona, known in Diné as Tó Naneesdizí or "tangled waters," located an hour from Flagstaff.
​Pamela is the second eldest of seven siblings. Her mother, Rose Marie Saganitso, is the daughter of Victor Saganitso Sr., and her father, Leroy Jensen, is the son of the late Nevy Jensen, a renowned traditional medicine man from Grey Mountain. Pamela is the proud mother of four children and grandmother (Ma’sani’) to four wonderful grandchildren.
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In her professional journey, Pamela serves as the Assistant Director for the Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff, a non-profit organization that provides vital support to unsheltered and disenfranchised community members. Her passion for community service has been shaped by over 13 years of dedicated work with Native Americans for Community Action Inc. (NACA), where she provided health education and outreach services to urban Native Americans in Northern Arizona.
Pamela's career is characterized by her commitment to helping those in need, her strong leadership abilities, and her dedication to her cultural heritage. A self-taught artist, recruiter, and motivator, she is known for her ability to inspire and uplift others. Pamela draws on her deep connection to her family’s teachings and traditions, continuing the legacy of her grandparents and their wisdom in community caregiving, cultural preservation, and education.
Darrell Marks
Board Member
Ya’at’eeh Shik’ei aadoo Shidine’e,
Shí éí Tabaahá, Naakai Dine’é Báshíshchíín, KinÅ‚ichii'nii Dashícheii, Ashii Dashínalí. Tó Níhalíí’ Naashá.
Shí éí Darrell Marks. Darrell Marks is White Corn Zuni Edgewater, born for Those Going Home. His maternal grandparents are Redhouse, and his paternal grandparents are Salt.
He is a very proud father of three children, a daughter and two sons. He conducts much of his work in collaboration with his sons and has a strong commitment to community. He currently serves as the Native American Academic Advisor at Flagstaff High School as well as an commissioner for the Indigenous Commissioner of the City of Flagstaff. He is an active board member for the Southwest Center for Equal Justice (SWCEJ), Fourth World Foundation, Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff (CATs), Coconino Community College Native Bridge Program, Northern Arizona University INE program. He is also an social justice community organizer with the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff, CATs, SWCEJ, Native American Youth Advocating for the Renaming of the San Francisco Peaks, and with a multitude of groups that focus on the traditional/Sacred environment of the Indigenous People of the Northern Arizona region, and issues that impact Native American Youth, communities of color, and those issues that impact education of Indigenous. Darrell Marks is a recipient of the JFK Profiles in Courage Award from 2021 for his work on COVID 19 relief efforts. He continues to remain involved in work that affects change for Unsheltered relatives, Indigenous tribal communities, the protection of sacred sites, the promotion of indigenous language and culture.
Joe W. Washington
Board member
Joe Washington is Choctaw and Shawnee and is enrolled with the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.
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He was the Executive Director of Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) from 1976 to 1979. He has also served on the board of directors of that organization and has been the board chair.
He practices law in Indigenous nations surrounding Flagstaff: Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Yavapai-Apache, Yavapai-Prescott, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. He holds legal services contracts with the Navajo Nation and the Yavapai-Apache Nation. He has also worked with the Hualapai Court as a pro tem judge and a temporary prosecutor. His work places him in constant contact with the Indigenous people in and surrounding Flagstaff.
He has also been in positions which have placed him in the interface between Indigenous people and the wider population: He was a part-time Flagstaff City Magistrate from 1982 to 1989. He was a member of the Flagstaff City Council from 1990 to 1994 and served on what was then the Economic Development Commission.
Makaius Marks
Board Member and ICF Task Force
I stand proudly near the water, rooted in my heritage as Born For White Corn Zuni Edgewater My maternal grandfather hails from the Red Bottoms People, while my paternal grandfather represents the Peoples Coming Home. At 23, I am a Navajo man who has been actively involved with ICF since its inception. I was a youth when I engaged in the movement to abolish Columbus Day and elevate Indigenous Peoples' Day. As early as 8th grade, I have been a frequent speaker at City Engagements, championing the voices of young people within the organization. I am dedicated to ensuring that youth have a powerful platform to express themselves alongside the wisdom of our Elders.
Viki Blackgoat
Board Member
Viki Blackgoat was born into a traditional Diné family where she was the youngest of six children. She calls the Black Mesa plateau portion of Dinét’ah in northern Arizona her ancestral homeland.
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From a very early age Viki was taught that her maternal clan, the Bitterwater Diné, were teachers so she is not surprised that while she flirted with architectural and pre-medicine courses at her liberal arts college she eventually earned her BA in sociology and education. Viki went on to graduate studies in early childhood education. Her master’s degree is in ECE with an emphasis in children’s literature.
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With the exception of junior high schoolers, Viki’s work history highlights her work with students at every educational level from daycare and preschool to college and graduate students. She also coached high school volleyball. In her spare time Viki offered workshops and skill classes such as sewing, weaving, gardening, etc. for the community; an activity she still enjoys doing at present.
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Her passions include supporting activities that build healthy children, resilient families and giving communities. She’s keen on storytelling, sewing, quilting, repurposing / upcycling natural textiles, gardening, foraging, photography, horses, vintage cars, medicinal / edible plants, and Trees.
Aislynn Arnold
Board Member and ICF Task Force
Yáʼátʼééh shiʼbuddies! My name is Aislynn (ash-lyn) Arnold. I am of the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle People Clan), and I am born for the Keyah Dah An AÅ‚íí (Filipino People). My maternal grandfather is of the Séí Bee Hooghanii (San Felipe Pueblo Fox Clan) and my paternal grandfather is of the Béésh Bichʼahíí (German People). I am an enrolled member of the Navajo nation, but I come from the San Felipe Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, and Oglala Lakota tribes on my maternal side. On my paternal side, I am Filipina from the coastal province called Pangasinan, Phillipines, and I am also German-Irish.
I am a dedicated student at Flagstaff High School, and I serve as the 2024-2025 Indigenous Ambassador in which I speak on behalf of the indigenous community at my school. As well as advocating for their wellbeing, preserving tradition and culture, and demonstrating pride and identity in the Native and Student of Color student body within the school and district.
I am proudly involved with works of the media, working alongside NAU for the past 5 years in their week-long courses called the ‘Indigenous Youth Media Workshop’. I foster a deep connection for teaching and demonstrating cultural practices within our community. I am committed to sharing my experience and knowledge with the region of Flagstaff and Native Nations, to encourage a postive, inclusive community for our youth, elders, students, relatives, and community members. Ahéheeʼ lá!!
Brandee Keyonnie
Board Member, ICF Task Force, and Treasure
Yá'át'ééh Shí éí Tódík'ózhi (I am Salt Water) Honágháahnii Báshíshchíín (born for one who walks around), Kinyaa'áanii Dashícheii (maternal grandparents are towering house), 'ÁshĮĮhíí Dashínalí. (paternal grandparents are salt). Shí éí Brandee Keyonnie
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​Hello everyone my name is Brandee Keyonnie. I am a current graduate student enrolled in the Biology, Master of Science program with an emphasis in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation. My research looks at the impacts that carbon dioxide under climate change has on physiological development (growth rate) of Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) trees. During my research I also want to learn and research restoration techniques that integrate modern science (Western) and Indigenous knowledge also known as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) that help in the restoration of these trees as they are a keystone species to many tribes and wildlife that reside within and around these Pinyon Pine woodlands.
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I also currently works with Mr. Marks and his students in the Flagstaff High School Native Club in creating a Hopi Heritage garden. The purpose of this garden is to build a Hopi house that celebrates the Hopi culture and celebrates climate wisdom. To illustrate climate resilience by planting perennial plants around the Hopi house that are drought resistant and by using natural materials from the earth to build the structure. Currently we are planting and propagating traditional and medicinal herbs used by many tribes around the world to be used by the students, staff, and etc. With propagated plants we will be planting pollinator plants to create Pollinator Paths.
Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff Members
Who We Are
Hilary Giovale
Member
Hilary Giovale is a mother, writer, community organizer, and facilitator. A ninth-generation American settler, she is descended from Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe. She has been part of ICF since 2016, and she seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of human rights, environmental justice, and equitable futures. As an active reparationist, her work is guided by intuition, love, and relationships. She is the author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair. Learn more about her work at goodrelative.com.
member
Member
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Robert Breunig
Member
Robert G. Breunig is a non-indigenous, invited, allied member of ICF and has been active in ICF since 2000. He has been a strong advocate of the creation of an Indigenous Community and Cultural Center in Flagstaff. He is Director Emeritus of the Museum of Northern Arizona and currently serves as Vice-Chair of Hopivewat, a 501 (c) 3 organization, seeking to establish a Hopi Learning Center on the Hopi Mesas.
Lina Wallen
Member
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Gissell Garcia
Member and ICF Task Force
Gissell was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and is a proud daughter of immigrant parents from Chihuahua, Mexico. She lived in Flagstaff and studied archaeology and community engagement at NAU. She has been involved in community organizing and advocacy since her senior year of high school, in Mesa and Flagstaff. Her community experiences and archaeological work in Flagstaff/Northern Arizona allowed her to gain a new perspective of the town/area, its important cross cultural history, its communities, and overall allowed her to gain a sense of what home means. She hopes to continue being part of the collaborative efforts of building a sense of home and unified community for all our underserved relatives
Dorothy Zonnie Denetsosie Gishie
Member
Dorothy Zonnie Denetsosie Gishie, is Navajo, from Preston Mesa, Arizona. She is of the Rock Gap Clan, born for the Towering House Clan. Her maternal grandfather is Bitter Water Clan, and her paternal grandfather is Yucca Fruit Strung Clan.
Dorothy has been in the Flagstaff community for 37 years and worked 35 years with Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA). Dorothy worked as an Instructional Aide, ICWA Counselor/social worker. As Program Manager of NACA’s Overlook Program, Dorothy worked closely with Coconino Forest Service. The program is an economic development project which has been in operation since 1988: a vending program for Native Americans who sell arts, crafts and jewelry which is handmade/handcrafted. She is also served as an Interim CEO for the organization. Dorothy in currently the Community Development Director, overseeing 4 departments.
Dorothy has served as a community advocate, served on many committees, board of directors within City of Flagstaff and Coconino County. During the November 2020 election, she won a seat on the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board, her term is up in December 2024. Dorothy has 2 daughters: Latanya and Natalia and a son, Leo Jr. Her husband is Leo Sr. Her life has blossomed as a Grandmother to Aspen Nanabah and Drake Natanni. Dorothy loves to sing, read, and work alongside her family with ranch work.
