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November 2021 Drawing Opportunity
Tickets for the November 17, 2021 Opportunity Drawing are $10 each. You don't need to attend the November Meeting via Zoom at 1:00 pm to qualify for this drawing.
THE DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTING IS AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY, November 16. Purchase drawing tickets here.
The speaker for our meeting on November 17, 2021, is Debbie Nez-Manuel who is our Arizona Democratic National Committee Member. She has described herself as follows https://www.debbieforaz.com/
"My ancestral and indigenous roots are from the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona - among sacred mountains, medicinal plants, life-giving river waters and pristine skies. My lineage stems from a small community known as Klagetoh, and my childhood was shaped by many familial connections throughout the area.
"My determination to serve and give back to my community is derived from influences from a network of hard-working people within my community and was instilled in me at a very young age. This family network not only included traditional herbalists, ranchers, weavers, mill workers, silversmiths, teachers and attorneys, but it also included forty-one (41) veterans who served honorably in nearly every branch of the United States military. My lineage serves as a gentle reminder that my journey has been paved by a deeply rooted love for land, a way of life, and vibrant sense of community.
"I am Tséníjíkiní - a Navajo clan also known as the Cliff Dweller People. I am born for the Tsénahabiłnii, Sleepy Rock People. And I am the maternal grandchild of the Tsi'naajinii, Black Streaked Forest People and the paternal granddaughter to the Tábąąhí, Waters Edge People. As a Navajo, identifying our four clan relationships is the proper way we introduce ourselves to new faces."
In addition, she was featured in VoyagePhoenix magazine where she also talks about her life in six paragraphs. I found what she says about herself much more interesting than what others say about her, so that suggests that her talking with us on November 17th will be more interesting than anything I could write. She has a college education
I'll quote 3 paragraphs here starting with the question VoyagePhoenix asked, "Can you tell us a bit about how you got started?"
Debbie replied: "Ya’ahteeh! The literal translation for Ya’ahteeh is that things are well. ... Growing up in a remote area Klagetoh of Arizona and moving to Flagstaff and landing in Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community married has been a ride most would pass up. Not me. Through the matriarchs of the Tsenkinii clan, the Cliff Dweller People, I’ve learned my passion is being there for most on a human level. Being real, experiencing life. Being authentic is something hard to find in today’s world. ...
"Today, I am the Daughter of Arizona. I champion efforts that demonstrate that our voices matter. Too often, women of color, young women, or women who put in double and triple the effort are finding themselves outside of decision-making spaces. I’ve worn many hats. I’ve been a candidate a few times in Arizona for Senate, Representative, and choose to be involved in the political arena. Some refer to my role as a community leader, however, the title that means most is mom. I am a mother who raised three spirited young ladies that began to make their mark as early as their elementary and Junior high. All of the effort and dedication is rooted in life — nothing good ever comes easy.
"At the tender age of three, I lost my mother when she went missing (#MMIW) and did not learn the true details of what happened to her until 2003. I was 32 having my second child. These circumstances (her mother's death) sent me spiraling through so many homes between family, emergency foster care, and finally being placed in a home where incredibility a family truly did care about me the human. There were 17 plus years of challenging experiences that taught me how to overcome and I apply the life lessons in every aspect of the work I do today. Ao’ Ya’ahteeh – Yes, things are well."
The other 4 paragraphs are at http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-debbie-nez-manuel-debbienezmanuel-com-invigorates/
See https://www.debbieforaz.com/photos for a range of interesting photos of Debbie and her work with people.