IRES 2025 End of Year Reflections
Daniel Sestiaga Jr. - Assistant Director
As another year comes to a close and we wrap up for the fall semester, I cannot help but express gratitude. Gratitude for the amazing team that I get to interact with on a daily basis and how grounded and focused they continue to be in an everchanging landscape. IRes, as a young center, has had its share of challenges, growing pains, and immense successes over fall 2025. All of which have continued to shape our work and allow us to remain committed to our engagement, programming and continue to create opportunities.
Recently, I visited my home and there, I got to see the men in action building our traditional mud house. While watching from afar, I got to witness first hand, resilience in action, the sharing of sacred knowledge and community coming together to thrive in some of the toughest times we face this day in age. One thing I do know for certain, is that people and community, when united, will continue to do some amazing things. Just as I know this semester hasn’t been easy, I know wholeheartedly, that we will continue to do our best and draw on positive and steadfast energy to keep each other in good spirits and uplift one another in our greatest times of need.
From my family to yours, I wish you all the best this Holiday Season and wish you a Happy New Year!
Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson - Assistant Professor & Cooperative Extension Specialist at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, IRES Core Faculty
2025 has been a good year, but also a busy one. I have begun laying the groundwork for my main goal: the revitalization of the American Indian Food System. This is a regional approach with various tribes in the Southwest. Last May, with one of my grants, we held a gathering to form a Pueblo Alliance focused on traditional foods. This involved 21 Pueblo tribes in New Mexico and Arizona. Since May, I have been actively seeking ways to visit the various tribes in southern Arizona to learn about their needs. They are all focused on improving the quality of life for their people and on finding ways to get their youth more involved in agricultural activities. Part of the quality is an emphasis on food. I have been granted permission by the Indigenous Resilience Center, with funding from the Haury Foundation, to begin planning for an Arizona Tribal Agriculture summit in November of 2026. The main objective is to record the tribes' agricultural needs and to develop a list of solutions to address them. In closing, over the past year the words my grandfather left me are ringing true. He once said after I asked him why he always bought food for a tribal conference I attended as a youth during the summer. He looked at me and said, “I do this because I want to make sure no one here at the conference goes hungry.” It is the values I learned from my grandfather that I constantly remember to help guide not only my own life but work associated with the Indigenous Resilience Center.
Dr Joseph Hoover, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, IRES Core Faculty
When I think back on 2025, I experience many emotions with some highs and lows - to be sure it has been a year with twists and turns. If I learned one thing, it's that we are better together, and together we will keep moving forward. I am humbled by the teamwork and perseverance demonstrated by IRes, my research group, and community partners. Through dedication and our relationships with one another we have grown our impact and reach, in ways sometimes unanticipated. The deep partnerships and community of our team enable us to progress towards our common goals - thriving communities, and health and well being for all. I am grateful for the support and friendship that has sustained our work throughout the year. I look towards 2026 with hope, anticipating a year filled with community meetings, exciting research, and growing partnerships
Bernice Rodriguez - Program Coordinator
As I reflect on this past Fall semester with the IRes, I’m grateful for the meaningful experiences that shaped my growth. Early in the semester, our team traveled to the Hopi Nation for the KUYI Community event, where we met with community members and visited Dr. Johnson’s home strengthened my appreciation for the trust-based relationships IRes continues to build. In September, we celebrated IRes’ four-year anniversary, a milestone that highlighted how far our center has come and the shared commitment driving our work.
This semester also included supporting the Waverley Grantee Retreat in November where I got the opportunity to hear about innovative and community rooted projects happening across tribal communities. I’m especially grateful to be a part of the NIH ComPASS project supporting Dr. Hoover. This opportunity aligns directly with my (soon to be) Bachelor of Public Health major and has supported my commitment to contributing to research focused on radon, stress, and asthma in Native communities.
On a personal note, I’m preparing to enter my final undergraduate semester, a milestone that fills me with gratitude. I’m incredibly proud of my son, Dominic, for passing his Master’s defense and equally proud of Koda and Bianca for their hard work and perseverance this semester. Watching my children excel while I pursue my own goals has been one of the greatest blessings of this year!
Torran Anderson - Community Outreach Manager
It’s hard to believe another action-packed semester is coming to an end. Sometimes the weeks are so busy I forget to reflect on the accomplishments of the Indigenous Resilience Center. A few highlights:
- On September 19th, it was an honor to celebrate with many of you at IRes’s 4th Anniversary Community Gathering. Danny shouted out the whole IRes team in his remarks, the weather was beautiful, and the food/music hit the spot.
- Native Voices in STEM this semester highlighted the work of the IRes Core and Affiliated faculty. It was insightful to hear how they are each working on food, energy, and water solutions with Tribes coming from different fields and projects.
- In November, the Community Environmental Impact Award Grantees met together for a gathering at Casino Del Sol. Each project shared out their work as a grantee. Many programs described themselves as “boots on the ground” people dedicated to their communities. I was inspired by their unwavering commitment, hard work, and emphasis on meeting community needs.
- Gathering with colleagues and community members to share a meal like in the above photo at the RTOC gathering in Phoenix.
This semester, IRes grew in the resources it was able to provide from the new community tool kit online to the food, energy, water resources on the IRes website. I appreciate everyone who has reached out over the last year about partnering with IRes and sharing your work. Thank you to the dedication of the whole IRes team who continues to adapt to funding challenges in the spirit of our core values: relationship, respect, reciprocity, and responsibility.
Christina Gargus - Grant & Project Coordinator
As I reflect on the close of this year, I am filled with deep gratitude for another busy and meaningful semester, especially as we celebrated the 4th anniversary of our Center. I have been inspired by the ways communities continue to come together to support one another during these incredibly challenging times. I was honored to serve on the host steering committee for the Speak Easy, Speak Free People’s Hearing—a two-day gathering rooted in testimony, cultural celebration, and solution-focused dialogue. This event created a powerful space for uplifting the voices of local impacted and Tribal communities, inviting them to share their lived experiences and propose pathways forward in addressing environmental injustices.
This fall, I had the opportunity to visit Black Mesa, Hopi, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Six Nations of the Grand River in Toronto—each community sharing stories and teachings that continue to guide our work. As our Center continues to broaden the reach of our work across borders, I look toward the new year with a deep sense of hope, gratitude, and anticipation for what lies ahead.
Katie Holtsoi - Senior Assistant to the Director
IRes has had a year full of community gatherings, research showcases, celebrations, and advocacy. In my opinion, the best asset of IRes is that we love to curate a shared space for community to thrive and reflect. Over the year, the most notable events all revolve around celebrating our Indigenous community on campus or uplifting Native students. IRes puts into practice the ideal model that prioritizes Indigenous knowledge, care, and community. As the executive assistant to our director, I have the privilege of seeing the many fronts in which our center is guided by. I get to understand the wider picture of the way we operate and interact with our community and it shows me that our mission is a living practice and the Indigenous communities we serve are celebrated and recognized for their expertise.
One of my favorite events this whole year was the IRes community gathering. I recall it was a rainy day and we were blessed with some lovely moisture that not only refreshed O’odham Jewed but also our efforts in the work for the environment. Truthfully, as a nation this year, it has been extremely difficult to navigate and even more difficult to maintain a level of normalcy. The signs in the sky, on Mother Earth, in the wildlife, and in the dreamworld have shown that we are navigating a very tumultuous time. In my personal experience, it has revealed a very raw and urgent call to pour more love and care into the land and the five-fingered beings that inhabit it. The People’s Hearing that took place just a few months ago solidified that call…amplified it if anything! When we say we work in tandem with our communities that includes the land and she always delivers a reminder to return to ourself. This return urged me to simplify my understanding of the good fight…a return to myself is a return to the land and the simplicity of her message is to care and honor her. It’s as simple as that.
Of all the reflection I’ve done this year, the most common message that keeps coming up is that our return to the land, whether that is literally or mentally, will return to us what we have lost over time. Language, culture, joy, community, our lifeways and a life that does not revolve around survival is what awaits us when we call back our collective power. I learned a lot this year about community, and that’s exactly where our solution lies; I hope you all can find your place in your community and utilize your gifts and knowledge to return to yourself too.
Renee Tsinigine - Post Doctoral Research Scholar
As the year unwinds, I want to give thanks and appreciation to all who have supported my postdoctoral research journey. As a T32 Fellow, I’ve attended workshops, professional and career development trainings in Native FEWS, Indigenous Languages, Geo-Science, and a recent Indigenous Data Sovereignty for Climate Resilience conference hosted by the Transformation Network at the University of New Mexico. The opportunities have furthered my work in Environmental Health & Science and opened my research journey working with Indigenous communities. Recently, I co-hosted three Listening Sessions in collaboration with members from the Black Mesa United, Forest Lake, and Kayenta communities. On behalf of the UA IRes, I would like to say Thank You to each community member who opened their homes and participated in the research study titled Assessing Socio-economic and Health Impacts of Coal Mining and Well-being of Diné People Living within the Peabody Coal Leasehold Area. The purpose of the listening sessions was to understand how coal mining has impacted the health, well-being, and daily lives of Diné (Navajo) residents living on Black Mesa, especially those in Forest Lake and Kayenta Chapters. At IRes, we greatly appreciate everyone’s time, space and extend a Happy Holiday season!
Jason Bruce - Postdoctoral Research Associate
One of the highlights of my year was helping coordinate a video project centered on conversations with IRes faculty and community partners across Arizona. I’m grateful to Danny and Tina for their support and coordination throughout the process, which made it possible for me to take on this role. As part of the project, I worked closely with Ahō Media, a Native-owned media company led by Gray Warrior and his team. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and thoughtful storytelling approach stood out throughout the project, and I appreciated the chance to collaborate with them. I’m especially grateful to the faculty members and community partners who participated. They shared their experiences, history, and perspectives with openness, and their willingness to speak with us shaped the heart of the project. Hearing directly from them gave me a much clearer understanding of the specific challenges, commitments, and relationships shaping this work. The experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the work happening across IRes and the people who make it possible.
Miguel Corrales Valencia - Administrative Assistant
This semester at the Indigenous Resilience Center was an incredibly rewarding experience, both academically and personally. I felt welcomed into a community that truly embodies resilience and collaboration, and the support I received during PT School application season was invaluable. The staff not only offered guidance and encouragement but also demonstrated the spirit of IRes—showcasing the strength, knowledge, and generosity that each person in the office brings to the table. Their mentorship reminded me of the importance of collective effort and cultural grounding in professional growth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and contribute in such a supportive environment.
Winona Little Owl-Ignacio - Waverley Street Foundation Assistant
Trinity Norris - Marketing/Communications Graduate Assistant
My time at the Indigenous Resilience Center has meant so much to me, both as a graduate student and as a storyteller. When I first joined as the Marketing and Communications Assistant, I didn’t expect this role to become such a grounding part of my career. IRes quickly became a space where I felt supported, trusted, and connected to a community that shared similar values.
Through photography, writing, social media, and helping shape our newsletters and library, I learned how powerful it is to document our stories with care. IRes pushed me to grow — not just in my skills, but in the ways I show up for my community. Every event, every photo, and every conversation reminded me why this work matters and how much joy there is in uplifting the voices of Indigenous peoples.
What I’m most grateful for are the relationships I’ve built here. The mentorship, the laughter in the office, the support from staff, faculty, and the feeling of being part of something bigger really shaped my time in grad school. IRes helped me find confidence in my storytelling and reaffirmed my purpose in serving Native communities through media. I am incredibly grateful for trust and confidence IRes has had in me in.
IRes will always be a place that helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m thankful for every moment I spent here.
Nicolas Littleman - Desk Assistant
My time at IRES this fall semester has been one of the most meaningful parts of my final year as an undergraduate. Moving into a new environment was a major transition, but the welcoming team and positive work culture made the adjustment easy. I appreciated the sense of community here. From celebrating milestones and birthdays to the everyday conversations and humor that made the workspace feel comfortable and supportive. This experience has given me a strong sense of belonging and professional growth. As we approach the holidays and the end of the semester, it’s clear how quickly time has passed. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in such a collaborative and encouraging setting, and I will carry these experiences with me as I move closer to graduation in May.
On behalf of the Center, our staff wanted to take a moment to thank our amazing student team here at IRes! This semester has been full of ups and downs, but our students continue to thrive. Nona, Trinity, Miguel, and Nick, we thank you for all of your hard work through this semester; without your laughter, enthusiasm and knowledge, we would have been lost without you. We wish you all the best as this semester comes to a close and hope you get to enjoy a hard earned break.
-IRes Pro Staff and Faculty