Skylar Evans from the proud Oglala, Lakota Nation is well known for her International modeling and acting career! We are particularly honored to support her in her journey as a Chipeta Scholar.  After receiving her Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Oregon, Skylar is back in school working on her Masters in Clinical Nutrition at Kansas State University.  Her ultimate goal is to become a Physicians Assistant where she can return to her People and assist in creating a healthy lifestyle ensuring their future for generations.  We couldn't be happier to support Skylar on her amazing journey! 

Amanda Black, a Hopi Pueblo and Dine'-Navajo woman-currently a first year student pursuing a Masters degree in Psychological Sciences at Northern Arizona University.  Amanda focuses on Geriatric studies within Native American populations and approaches her work with deep respect for both mental health and cultural heritage.  Amanda is committed to enhancing understanding and support for healthy aging, particularly among Native elders and teachers.  We are honored to help her with these admirable goals! 

Jaden Allen hails from the Navajo Nation community around Chinle, AZ.  Jaden attends Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado where she is studying accounting. It is Jaden's hope to come back to the Navajo reservation with her degree and go into the banking industry where she can work with her People to guide them through the monetary responsibilities of budgeting, saving and accountability when it comes to their fiscal responsibility.  We are so pleased to be by her side!

Selena Gonzales is a Dine'-Navajo women rooted in her traditions and home of Tolikan.   She is studying Criminal Justice and Native American studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado with her sights set on returning to her People on the Land, incorporating traditional healing practices into rehabilitation and detention centers.  Selena hopes to tackle the drug epidemic on Native reservations.  We are thrilled to walk by her side on her journey!

Anistacia Aragon, a first year student at New Mexico State University has a long list of accomplishments at an early age.  As a fashion model, Ani has been crowned World Latina Teen, and has traveled to Paris as a brand representative for numerous fashion houses.  She is a passionate advocate for Social Justice causes and Chipeta is proud to support her educational journey as she follows her path in the field of Criminal Justice and Immigration reform.  Welcome to the Voice of Chipeta, Ani!

Sierra Singer, Dine'-Navajo grew up on the Navajo reservation with a dream of being involved in professional sports and inspiring others in her community.  As a full time student at Arizona State University with a 4.0 average in Sports Science and Performance Programing, Sierra is on her way to accomplishing her dream an athletic trainer in the National Football League!  We are so proud and honored to support Sierra and look forward to seeing her on her "Field of Dreams" one day very soon!

Lauren Summers, Cherokee, is a highly successful model and actor who has made many appearances in print advertising, independent and featured films.  As a natural caregiver, Lauren has a heart as big as the State of Oklahoma, where she currently resides.  We are honored to support Lauren in her future dreams as an actor and look forward to her playing many roles with Chipeta Trading for years to come! 

Tesla Wolfe is a multi-faceted and talented Native American actress, model, dancer and entrepreneur.  A member of  the Seminole-Creek-Shawnee tribes of Oklahoma, Tesla is focused on her acting career and we are thrilled to scholarship her along the way!  Watch for big things from this incredibly talented Native Woman rising! 

Alyssa Holiday, Dine'-Navajo is a Senior at Northern Arizona University majoring in Biomedical Sciences.  With a great passion for tribal healthcare,  Alyssa will further her career in the medical field with her sights on becoming a doctor and returning to the Navajo Nation.  We are thrilled to support Alyssa in her vision and know she will make an important contribution to her People for years to come. 

Journey Gillson is a strong, confident and beautiful Dine'-Navajo woman who makes a difference everyday in her community!  As a speech therapist on the Navajo Nation, her bilingual skills create a level of comfort and understanding among her People.  We look forward to supporting her growth and education at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque as she works towards her Masters Degree.  Nizhoni, Journey Gillson

Autumn Lee is a Dine'/Navajo woman from Gallup, NM.  She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico and is currently in her 2nd year at the UNM School of Medicine where she would like to return to her People, specializing in Internal Medicine/OB/GYN.  We are proud to have her join us as a "Voice of Chipeta" 

Hannah Haslam, Dine'-Navajo is a third year student studying Interior Architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  She plans to go into Green Architecture in post-graduate work and wants to design interiors that utilize traditional Indigenous methods in a modern way.  We can't wait to watch Hannah's creativity at work! 

TaNeel Filesteel, (Aaniih, Nakoda and Apsaalooke, Crow) graduated from Salish Kootenai College in 2021 with a BA in Tribal Administration and will graduate with her Juris Doctorate, Law Degree from the University of Montana School of Law in 2024.  TaNeel is dedicated to protecting Tribal sovereignty and plans to practice within the Federal Indian Law legal field.  TaNeel is a wonderful example of courage, tenacity and strength and we are so honored to support her along way of making a difference in other tribal lives.   Well done, TaNeel!

Laelah Jaye Kizzia, (Dine'-Navajo, Zuni Pueblo) has her sites on a degree in Political Science and Digital Marketing at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.  Once complete, her degrees will enable her to open her own business lowering carbon footprints on earth and working with First Nations to become as environmentally responsible as possible.  We love her energy, beauty and drive!   

Horizon Gillson is Dine'-Navajo, born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico.  His High School years allowed Horizon to find inspiration in his leadership skills, mentoring talents and Indigenous cultural heritage. Horizon will finish his time at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, AZ, and transfer to Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, NM, to pursue his educational studies in physics.  In a family where academic achievement is a priority, Horizon is on to BIG things and worthy of a Chipeta Cares scholarship.

Tyanna Chavez, (Apache) from Albuquerque, New Mexico has an amazing ability to heal the planet!  A recent graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Tyanna has continued her healing ways by obtaining her credentials as a Registered Nurse and currently works in the Trauma and ICU departments at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.  She has a special gift that we will continue to support for years to come!

This incredible smile can only belong to Elena Mylroie (Dine'-Navajo and Hopi Pueblo) who improves the world each and every day as a High School Chemistry teacher on the Navajo Reservation.  From Sawmill, Arizona, Elena has a BS in Chemistry from Fort Lewis College in Colorado and is just a few courses away from her Masters in Chemistry from Grand Canyon University!  With an emphasis in education, Elena will continue to teach on her Reservation, sharing  her knowledge and skills with Indigenous youth. We are so exciting to accompany her on this important  journey!  

Melissa Pochoema (Hopi Pueblo) lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and attends the Indian Art Institute of America, IAIA, with a concentration in Museum Studies.  She has also worked at the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian for a number of years.  Melissa was recently awarded a highly sought after Summer Internship to study at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, where she surrounded herself with Historic Period Native Arts.  We look forward to continuing to support Melissa on her way to becoming one of the first Hopi Pueblo museum professionals.