My traditional name is Zit-de-yah, after my late maternal grandmother. I am from the Pueblo of Laguna, San Felipe, and Hopi-Tewa. My clans are Big Ant from my mother (San Felipe), Little Roadrunner from my father (Laguna), and Corn whenever we venture home to Hopi territory in Arizona. I currently live in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my three children and partner. I grew up in Kawaika (Laguna Pueblo) surrounded by family and participating in our culture. I was born into a long line of cattle ranchers and farmers who taught us the importance of caring for the land, early morning rising, and hard physical work. I was blessed to have my grandparents who connected us to one another, told stories of our history, sang songs, showed us how to love unconditionally, taught us humility, and filled our cups with laughter. I am also a survivor of domestic violence and was a single mother of three during my healing journey.

I am proud to say I am an alumna of Haskell Indian Nations University located in Lawrence, Kansas, which opened my eyes to view the world with an Indigenous lens, rather than the Western worldview I was taught in school. For over 20 years, I sought out roles in the nonprofit and government sectors that allowed me to utilize this lens, focusing on positive youth development, volunteerism, economic development, and community health. I found myself challenging and advocating for systems to become more inclusive to the values of the people and their lived experiences, and to uplift their ingenuity.