NACC Elders Program

The Elder Program is new to the Native American Cultural Center. However, this program was previously housed in the Applied Indigenous Studies Department until Fall 2016 and was known as the Traditional Knowledge Scholar program. This program has been an essential component to support NAU’s mission to serve Native American students and increase retention efforts. Placing Elder Cultural Advisors in one-on-one contact with students maintains cultural continuity, offers traditional knowledge teachings on campus and in the community about lifeways and indigenous philosophies, and balances Native cultural traditions with university life. The Elders do not hold faculty positions and are funded through private gifts and grants.

The Elders are centered on meeting and mentoring students, and by helping them find solutions to individual problems by offering cultural and spiritual support. Other areas that the Elder Cultural Advisors assist with include giving presentations to NAU staff, faculty and students in a variety of formats and assisting students with off-campus referrals for spiritual and cultural needs and contributing to recruitment and retention efforts.

The Elders are in the Native American Cultural Center. Elders are involved in outreach, research, and other activities with the local Flagstaff and neighboring tribal communities. The Elders provide a lecture series every semester, check the NACC Events page for the dates of the Learning from Our Elders Lecture Series.

AY 2023 – 2024 NACC Elders

Elder Viki Blackgoat

Ya’at’eeh, shí ei Viki Blackgoat daashijiníí. Todichinii nishłiigo Tliziłani bashishchiin. Ashihi dashicheii dó Tsenijikinii dashinali. Dii ko’tego Diné asdzaan nishłii.

I was raised on Black Mesa in an area known as Big Mountain (Dził ni’tsa). Within my immediate birth family unit I am the youngest of six children, sister to three surviving siblings, mother to three children, aunt to fifteen nieces/nephews, and a grandmother to three grandchildren; and a “small” grandma to about twenty-six grandnieces/grandnephews, AND great-aunt to three.

My primary interests include advocating for youth, elders and education, and holding strong traditional values and language, being a responsible relation within K’é, and being a thoughtful steward for our natural world, the Earth. I currently serve as a board member of the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff (ICF).

Elder LeRoy Shingoitewa

Hopi Tribe member/Bear Clan. Born in Keams Canyon, AZ

Family: Mavis-Spouse   Children: Curtis Honanie, Eugene Honanie. Le Roy J. Shingoitewa, Michelle Shingoitewa, Kimberly Tom

Home Residence: Moenkopi Village on the Hopi Reservation.

Education: Northern Arizona University: 1969 BS-Sociology/Police Science; 1972 Pennsylvania State University: Med-Educational Leadership; 1975-1979 Pennsylvania State University-Doctorial Studies in Educational Leadership

Experience: 25 years in Educational Leadership; 25 years in Tribal/Organizational Management. Former Hopi Tribal Chairman 2009-2013;  Hopi Tribal Councilman 2015-2019. Principal of Tuba City High School/Tuba City USD 1994-1999. Principal of Lura Kinsey Elementary School/Flagstaff Unified School District 1999-2007. Only Native American who has served as Principal in the City of Flagstaff Schools. Served on Public School Board, BIE School Boards and 100-297 Tribal School Boards. Served as President and Board of Director Member on the Native American for Community Action 2000-2005. Was Awarded the “676 Point of Lights Award” by President George Bush in 1992 for Volunteerism.