Historian

Native Americans Honor 5
by John Faherty
The Arizona Republic - 26 Oct. 2005

PHOENIX, AZ -- The Native American Recognition Days were founded in 1982 to commemorate accomplishments and recognize traditions of native people in Arizona.

This year's celebration takes place at a series of events through October and half of November. The theme is honoring "modern day warriors," while cultivating a "healthy relationship between the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area and the Native American community."

Two Kent C. Ware Lifetime Achievement Awards were given this year. Ware was a longtime Valley resident, a decorated World War II veteran and a founder of the American Indian Veterans Memorial Organization.

The first award went to Dr. Wayne Mitchell, a Mandan/Lakota Indian. Mitchell spent 32 years working with the Federal Indian Health Service. He also served on the board of the Phoenix Indian Center, Indian Rehabilitation Inc. He helped create community partnerships with ASU at the West campus and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. He has received numerous awards throughout his career, notably a national award from the Director of the Indian Health Service in 2001. Mitchell volunteers his time on the Heard Museum's board of trustees.

The second award went to Roy Track Jr., an Assinaboine Sioux/Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde of Oregon Indian, who died in April. He produced a long-running television talk show in Arizona and was honored with the Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television and Arts Sciences for his work in broadcast journalism. Earlier this month he was inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Over the years he was a frequent master of ceremonies at powwows around the country.

Gary Avey, publisher of the Native Peoples Magazine and one-time deputy director of the Heard Museum, was honored for Outstanding Services to the Native American Community. Avey serves on the board of directors of the Phoenix Indian Center and the Consortium of Black Artists and is a member of the Phoenix Arts Commission. He is a longtime supporter of Native American issues and culture.

Bonny Beach, an Eastern Band Cherokee/Northern Cheyenne Indian, was honored this year as the "Outstanding Native American Woman of Our Community." Over the years Beach was the founder of the NDNS4Wellness and American Indian Prevention Coalition Inc. organizations to assist with prevention of drug and alcohol abuse among Native American youths and young adults. She also recently received the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award for her work in behavioral health.

Sergio Maldanado, a Northern Arapaho Indian, is the "Outstanding Native American Man of Our Community." Maldanado is a program adviser and instructor for Mesa Community College, where he recently received Instructor of the Year Award. He volunteers his time as a counselor for alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education. He conducts many workshops and seminars for conferences targeting youth at risk.

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"Be good, be kind, help each other. Respect the ground, respect the drum, respect each other."
--Abe Conklin, Ponca/Osage (1926-1995)