2007 NAYC

Conference Goal: The goal of this conference is provide exposure to career options and paths to achievements through education for Native American youth in grades 8 –12. UPDATE: Because we had requests to include 8th graders, we have opened registration to include them this year.

Conference Features: Keynote Presentations è Educational Workshop topics include: Education, Media, Medical, Dental, Public Service, Vocational Training è College/Education/Career Exhibit Hall è Club ASU è and more.

Tentative Conference Schedule for Both Days:

Registration: 8:00am-12:00pm

Continental Breakfast: 8:00am-9:00am

Opening Ceremonies: 9:00am-9:25am - Keynote Speaker: 9:25am-10: 00am

Workshop 1 Session: 10:10am-11:00am

Workshop 2 Session: 11:10am-12:00pm

Lunch Buffet: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Workshop 3 Session: 1:10pm-2:00pm

Workshop 4 Session 2:10pm-3:00pm

PM Refresher & Afternoon Break: 3:00pm-3:30pm

General/Closing Assembly - Keynote Speaker: 3:35pm-5:00pm

Keynote Speakers:

• Thursday Morning - Ryan Wilson   Ryan Wilson is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. His family is from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  Mr. Wilson currently is the President of National Alliance to Save Native Languages  (www.savenativelanguages.org) and past National Indian Education Association President (www.niea.org).  Mr. Wilson is a nationally recognized leader in positive Native youth development and is deeply driven by the need to make our schools better for Native learners.

• Thursday Afternoon - Freddie Johnson, Self Identity. Mr. Johnson is a well known Navajo language and cultural instructor that offers Navajo language and cultural classes in the Phoenix Area. We are very honored to have him talk to our youth about self identity. 

 

• Friday Morning - Dr. Lucinda Lewis, Navajo Woman Pediatric Dentist  Dr. Lewis was raised in Teesto, Arizona and is a graduate of Winslow High School and attended the Colorado College for undergraduate, she graduated in 1987, majoring in Biology.  Following C.C., she went on to dental school at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry and graduated in 1992 earning her D.D.S. degree. Dr. Lewis completed a general practice residency at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City in 1993.  After several years of practicing as a general dentist, Dr. Lewis returned to school to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry.  In 1997, she completed her Pediatric Dental residency at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lewis currently has a solo pediatric dental practice in Colorado.

• Friday Afternoon- Crystal Methamphetamine Presentation by Gila River Community Police Commander Rey Nejo This presentation will bring to light a very serious issue facing Indian country today.  Mr. Nejo recently presented at the Arizona Indian Education Association August general meeting and we felt this was an important topic to bring to the conference this year. 

 

We are very excited to announce some of the workshops listed this year:

• Dr. Pauline M. Begay "Language Learning thru Songs"
• LeAndra Bitsie - Pride and Leadership "The Movers and Shakers of Native America" 
• Travis Lane "The Pathway to Becoming a Physician and Getting Ready for Rigorous College Education"
• Ryan Wilson "Native American Leadership"
• Lambert Yazzie "Cornstalk; Goal Setting"
• Dr. Lucinda Lewis-Etter "Dentistry as a Career Choice"
• Loren Tapahe/Additional Media Presenters "Multi-Media Journalist of the Future" (4 workshop series; TV, Radio, Print, Internet)
• Kimberly Honahnie "Indian Health Service Scholarship Program"
• Pearl Yellowman Cayo & Joshua Tso "Contributing Factors; A Look at where the Achievement Gap Begins for Native American Students"
• Keith Greer "A Need for Native American Teachers"
• Jeff Brown & Ken Shaver "Bureau of Land Management Fire Program"
• Pam Yabeny & Monica Haro "Achieving a College Education; A.C.E. Program"
• Laura Matyac & Bo Colbert "Maricopa Hoop of Learning Programs"
• Teresa Masayesva,Waylon Pahona, Aldreda Brown,Velia Aguirre "Dream Weavers Do’s and Don’t’s; Helpful job search tips for teens"
• Additional workshops are being added to the schedule. 

Exhibitor booths listed this year - additional booths being added:

• Tempe Police/Fire/Public Works
• Northern Arizona University
• Club ASU
• Maricopa A.C.E. Program
• N.A.U. School of Hotel & Management
• Phoenix Indian Center; Adult Learning Center & Native Work Force
• Mesa Community College; American Indian Center & Education Studies Dept.
• Grand Canyon University
• Institute for American Indian Arts; Expanding the circle
• Phoenix College Hoop Learning Program
• National Tribal Developement Association
• A.T. Still University; Native American PA Track  
• Tohono O’odham Community College
• Additional exhibitors are being added this week.

Registration fee: $95.00 per person (after September 1, 2007)

Attendees will receive a tshirt with registration this year ! please include the size your requesting on your registration form.

Pre-registration fee: $85.00 per person before September 1, 2007 

Registration packet: One conference registration per applicant. Registration application, Youth guideline & agreement form, Chaperone/Guardian guideline & agreement form.

Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch Buffet and PM Refresher is provided both days with registration.

Location: Black Canyon Conference Center address is 9440 N. 25^th Avenue ~ Phoenix, AZ 85021  Website: www.blackcanyonconferencecenter.com

Parking: Parking is available for all NAYC guests in the main parking lot. Bus parking is available.

Lodging: Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging expenses and arrangements.

Host Hotel’s:   (within walking distance of the conference)

Phoenix North Courtyard by Marriott - A very nice hotel within walking distance !!  - 9631 N. Black Canyon Highway - Phoenix, AZ 85021  - Please reference "AIAC "to receive group rate by calling 1-800-321-2211 or (602) 944-7373 AIEA special group room rates: Arriving October 17^th and departing October 19^th, 2007 Single/Queen or Double/Queen Rooms for $89.00 per night plus tax. Cut off date September 10, 2007.

MainStay Suites by Choice Hotels Intl 9455 N Black Canyon Highway - Phoenix, AZ 85021 www.choicehotels.com/hotel/az244 Please reference "2007 Native American Youth Conference" to receive group rate by calling (602) 395-0900  Special AIEA Room rate: Single/Double occupancy rate for $79.99 per night plus tax. Cut off date is October 17, 2007, on availability basis.

Club ASU information:

Lambert Yazzie - Club ASU, Office of Public Affairs Arizona State University  P.O. Box 875405 Tempe, Arizona 85287-5405  phone: (480) 727-9780, fax: (480) 965-9333, email: Lambert.Yazzie@asu.edu