Ryan (He/Him) comes from Zuni and Santo Domingo Pueblos of New Mexico. In 2016, he was hired as the Ancestral Lands (AL) Field Coordinator for Zuni Pueblo. Ryan started out with Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) in May 2015 as a summer intern based out of El Morro National Monument, NM. This was his first ever corps experience of any kind and quickly realized the magnitude of positive impact that SCC gives to the communities they serve. With the direct mentorship of SCC and El Morro’s Heritage Preservation Division, Ryan was able to convince Zuni’s Tribal Administration to start an AL program for its people. As an active member of the Zuni traditional lifestyle, he feels that it is personal responsibility to learn in every way, in order to pass that knowledge down.

Prior to joining SCC, he worked as an archeology laborer. He was raised into a traditional home, and gives credit to all his grandparents for teaching him his cultural identity. An outdoorsman by heart, in his spare time he loves hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching, or just being outside. Truly believes he found his calling in Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps!

Aeon W. Albert (She/Her) is Nuvawungwa (snow clan) from the village of Shungopavi on the Hopi Reservation. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, until 2010, when her family moved home to the Hopi Reservation. After graduating from Hopi Jr/Sr High School, Aeon moved to Seattle, Washington. In 2018 she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Aeon joined Ancestral Lands Hopi as the Assistant Crew Leader for one season after graduating from Seattle University. Before returning to Ancestral Lands, she worked as the Program Associate for the Hopi Opportunity Youth Initiative and the Administrative Assistant for Native Public Media. She serves Ancestral Lands as the Program Coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys photography, hanging out with her dog, and road trips to national parks

Glen Catlin Ami (He/Him) was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. He spent his years as a toddler and young childhood exploring the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, and spending much of that time on the Georgetown University campus. He moved with his family in 1996 to Billings, MT, where most of his formative years were spent hiking, climbing and conversing with the nature, rimrocks and mountains surrounding the area. He spent much of this time traveling with his parents to his home reservation: Ft. Berthold, The Three Affiliated Tribes: Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, located along the Little Missouri River called Lake Sakakawea. Among his other tribes are Hopi, Tewa, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Hunkpapa.

In 2006, G. Catlin moved to Rio Rancho, NM to begin high school where he was a part of the SciMatics academy at Rio Rancho High School. During this attendance, Catlin discovered a passion for science and mathematics, and was enrolled in the CNM Dual Credit Program in 2007-2009. He entered UNM as an engineering student in 2009 via the Summer Bridge Program, which featured the transition of Native, Hispanic and other minority groups to the UNM Engineering Program. Although he did not pursue engineering, he found an aptitude for Biology and Psychology. He assisted in experimentation in the UNM Psychology Clinical Neurosciences Center for Navigation in a Virtual experiment. He learned skills associated with Electroencephalography.

He graduated from the UNM Arts & Sciences Biology Department in 2017, with a primary study in Biology and a psychology minor. His field of study was Evolutionary Psychology, where he learned how the human mind evolved to its current state from a social, psychological and biological point of view. He spent years afterwards ranching at the Hopi Reservation and practicing his religion at Southern Cheyenne. In the Spring of 2021, G. Catlin was hired with Ancestral Lands as a Crew Leader for the Albuquerque office. He demonstrated his skills as a strong leader with hitches to Bear’s Ears, Grand Tetons, El Morro, and Aztec Ruins. He has entered the Program Coordinator position at the Albuquerque office.

Alura (She/Her) was raised in Kayenta, Arizona on the Navajo reservation. She is Diné, from the Bitter Water (Tódích’íí’níí) clan and born for the Red Goat (Tłízidaalchí’í) clan. As of April 2024, Alura is the new Administration Specialist at the Gallup office. This is her first corps experience.

Previously, Alura was a Program Coordinator at the Pima County Health Department in Tucson. She has lived in Tucson for the past 10 years earning her bachelor’s degree in public health and her MPH in Health Administration from the University of Arizona.

Due to the unexpected loss of her mother in 2021 from COVID, Alura has felt a disconnect from her culture and family. To alleviate this, she decided to move back to the Navajo Nation. She is excited to be with ALCC and hopes this position will strengthen her connection with the people, land, and its multitude of cultural backgrounds.

Amber is Diné (Navajo) from To'hajiilee, NM. As cliché as it sounds, from a young age the outdoors has been calling her. She started her corps journey in 2017 when she joined Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. After completing her first season, she joined ALCC as an Assistant Crew Leader. From there, she led many crews for the Albuquerque office. Two notable crews were the HSED crews, where crew members worked on conservation projects while pursuing their high school equivalency degree. In 2022, she transitioned into a program coordinator.

In her free time she enjoys playing basketball, baking, gardening, road tripping, and working on unfinished hobbies.

Yá'át'ééh! (Hello!)

With hills and arroyos as my playground and the Chuska Mountains as my backyard, growing up on the Navajo Nation steered me in the direction of loving, appreciating and caring for Mother Earth.

My name is Jenissa Cheschilly and this year (2024) I step in as a Program Coordinator with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps-Diné office. I first joined Conservation Legacy in 2023 as the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps-Diné office Field Supervisor. This career changing decision was influenced by my children whom I wanted to raise in our homelands. I now and forever will be a mother who loves spending time with my family and in the mountains/outdoors showing my daughters the beauty of the land and embracing our identity as Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People).

A majority of my pre-ALCC years were spent in Arizona on The Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) doing wildfire mitigation and habitat restoration with GRIC’s Department of Environmental Quality, Wildlife and Ecosystems Program as a habitat specialist. During the fire seasons of those years, I spent them as a wildland firefighter with BIA Pima Fire Management on the IA crew. This took me across the country, alongside hard working and amazing individuals to aid in wildfire suppression utilizing everything from engines to aircraft.

I will always love the effort of eradicating invasive species, especially Tamarisk(Salt Cedar), using chainsaws and other tactics I have gained experience with. I love running a chain saw to fell timber for forest health and restoration efforts. I enjoy sharing my acquired chain saw skill and knowledge with up-and-coming sawyers. Along my path to where I am now, I have always had amazing mentors and supervisors that have demonstrated what leadership is; I now aim to contribute that and all collective experiences to my role as Program Coordinator. I look forward to our program’s upcoming seasons and to meeting you all!

Teiyanknei (She/Her) is Navajo and of the Todích'íí'nii (Bitter Water) Clan. She joined Conservation Legacy as an Enrollment Specialist with Stewards Individual Placements Program in April 2023 and is currently a Program Coordinator for the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps - Individual Placements Program. She is a former National Park Service Ranger, with a collective experience in Historic Preservation, Interpretation and Resource Protection. In between park seasons, Teiyanknei held administrative positions with the Navajo Nation, her homeland! She has also held management roles with non-profits such as Western National Parks Association and Heritage Square Foundation. Teiyanknei enjoys the outdoors and exploring historic sites with her little family. Some of her hobbies include Navajo weaving, sewing, and baking.

Kevin Cooeyate (He/Him) comes from the Pueblo of Zuni and represents the Sun and Child of Corn Clan. He first joined the AL movement back in 2016 as a crew member. Since the establishment of the AL Zuni office, he has dedicated his time and service towards the introduction and development of the Ancestral Lands operations in the Pueblo. With continued support, Kevin has worked his way up to fulfill the duties of a Crew Leader, Field Supervisor, Program Coordinator, and now humbly holds the position as a Program Manager.

Kevin is blessed to have the opportunity to welcome in hopeful participants to help better their path through the service work ALCC has to offer.

As a recovering alcoholic, he understands the many struggles community members may go through while trying to create a meaningful path to be proud of. All he would wish to ask for is a chance, a chance to create a positive impact for others.

On his spare time he enjoys Reading, Hunting/Hiking, Cooking, Music (you may catch him singing a sing or few on a good day), Photography, Farming, Learning to be a better Mentor, being the best relative as can be to Self and others.

Hello, my name is Braden Coonsis (He/Him) and I am 27 years old. My Clans are Tansy Mustard and Child of a Parrot. I come from the Pueblo of Zuni. I am The Logistics Coordinator for Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. I Have put on many hats such as being a Member, Assistant Crew leader, Hiking Club Crew Leader, Crew Leader, Field Supervisor, Logistics Technician, and now Holding the Logistics coordinator position, all while being part of the program since June 2016. I have gained so much experience and skills through this program that include Trail work/Maintenance/building, Fencing, Chainsaw, Erosion Control, and Historic Preservation. I look forward to working with you all in this new position and what the future holds!

Emerald Craig (She/Her) joined Ancestral Lands Conservation Corp as the Director of Administration in March 2023. Emerald is Navajo and her clanship is Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan) born for Hashk’anhadzohi (Yucca Fruit Clan). Her maternal grandmother is Dibe Lizhini (Black Sheep Clan) and her paternal grandparents are of the Ashiihi (Salt People Clan).

She received her B.A. from Colorado Christian University, attended the University of New Mexico and is currently working on her MLS at Arizona State University. Emerald is passionate about tangible sustainability through the intersection of natural resource, policy, economic impact, and Indigeneity. Emerald loves being home with her husband, four-year-old son, dog Butter and cat Betty. Emerald shares that she doesn’t know where her name came from, the ‘d’ is silent at the end of the name and May is not her birthstone.

Diana recently joined Conservation Legacy as an Administrative Assistant, bringing her passion for environmental advocacy to the team. A graduate of the University of New Mexico, she earned a Liberal Arts degree with minors in Communication and Spanish. Currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at UNM Anderson, Diana aims to integrate her strong communication skills with her commitment to sustainability.

Growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Diana developed a profound appreciation for the outdoors, which fuels her dedication to environmental conservation. Coming from an agricultural family in Mexico, she understands the importance of respecting and valuing our natural resources. This role marks Diana's first professional venture in the field, and she is eager to contribute to impactful environmental initiatives throughout her career.

Ticika is (She/Her) mixed Melanesian with her father being indigenous Fijian and her mother’s ancestry unknown due to her maternal grandparents being young orphans. In 2018 Ticika earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Education and Social Justice from Western Washington University, which ultimately laid the groundwork for her passion and knowledge in environmental justice. Her first experience with the outdoor industry began as an AmeriCorps Education & Interpretation intern with Olympic National Park in 2019. Originally from Ancestral and Living Coast Salish, Stillaguamish, Sauk Suiattle, and Skagit lands in western Washington, Ticika moved to Pueblo, Ute, and Diné lands in SW Colorado to serve as a Community Volunteer Ambassador at Mesa Verde National Park in 2020. In 2021 she joined the Western Region of Conservation Legacy as an AmeriCorps VISTA to help programs in the area write and edit grants, aiding in applying for over $1.5 million to ensure that their amazing work could continue. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking with friends, and spending time with her four dogs. Ticika is humbled and honored to be invited to join Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps in 2022 to continue as their Grants Writer and see their vision of “bringing our Nations to ecological and cultural well-being” to reality.

Kiana Etsate-Gashytewa (She/Her) is from the Pueblo of Zuni and Hopi tribes. Her clans are Mula bitchi:kwe (Parrot) and child of Dona:kwe (Turkey).

Kiana was raised by her grandparents and family in Zuni. She draws and holds a profound value to the traditional Zuni cultural values and ecological knowledge of the land. Etsate-Gashytewa holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Northern Arizona University in Applied Indigenous Studies and Political Science. Kiana’s previous experience varies working with youth of diverse backgrounds with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, NAU’s Office of Inclusion Multicultural LGBTQIA Student Services and NAU’s Upward Bound Math/Science.

Kiana is also an AmeriCorp alumna serving two terms in 2022 with ALCC’s Individual placement program. She served as the project coordinator on the Native Lands, National Trails project under the Partnership for the National Trails System. This project sought to bring awareness and to inspire meaningful engagement between Indigenous communities and various national trail organizations.

Etsate-Gashytewa now joins the ALCC Individual Placements team as a coordinator, where she is eager to provide support. Catch Kiana lifting heavy weights, cooking a good meal or spending time outside with the rez pups–Emmett Sweetie and Marlo.

Cody Fetty (They/Them) Is originally from Black Mesa/Big Mountain, AZ. Cody got involved with the Conservation Corps working with AZZC in 2019. They enjoyed their experience with the corps, that they returned for 4 more seasons. Throughout their work and time spent with AZCC, Cody gained multiple skills. After working with AZCC, Cody applied to Montana Conservation Corps where they were a crew leader for the season and after an amazing season spent in Montana, they traveled back home to the southwest and is now the Individual Placements Coordinator based in the Gallup, NM (Diné) Office. Cody enjoys, good coffee, music, books, the Rez, road biking and creating art through their beadwork, painting, and photo collaging.

James "Jimmy" Haynes (He/Him) is a Logistics Coordinator for Ancestral Lands Conservation Corp. He started his journey with Conservation Legacy as an Individual Placement, working as the Recreation Resource Assistant for the Forest Service in the Coronado National Forest at Mount Graham, a sacred ancestral site to the western Apache. His term with Stewards lasted from September 2023 through May of 2024. He spent the term living on Mount Graham, camping through the winter for 8 months all together. The experience and time connecting with the land has driven Jimmy to continue his work of being a Steward. He began applying for a full-time position with Conservation Legacy and to his delight, was hired on as a Logistics Coordinator based in his hometown in Albuquerque as of July 1^st, 2024.

Jimmy is also a 2023 graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, a minor in Urban Planning, and a certificate in Geographical Information Systems. Some of the courses and training he completed include, Tribal Community Planning, Sustainable Recreation and Land Management, History of Federal and Tribal Relationships, Tribal Consultation Training, Tribal Sovereignty Training, Tribal Trust and Responsibility Training, Understanding and Interrupting Unconscious Bias, and many more GIS and Geographic focused topics. Jimmy is also a handyman and a musician and utilizes his artistic and analytical passions in his approach to completing work goals. He also managed a Starbucks for 17 years and would certainly make you a great cup of coffee if asked to.

James Him (He/Him) first joined Southwest Conservation Corps in 2015 as an individual placement intern. He helped established the Zuni Ancestral Lands Office in 2016. He continued working as a crew leader, then a field supervisor position. In 2019 he transferred to Acoma Ancestral Lands office as a Prehistoric Preservation Field Coordinator/Field Supervisor. In 2020 he then transferred to the Albuquerque office as a Field Supervisor, later turned into a Field Coordinator and finally is the Logistic Coordinator.

My name is Mariah Holiday. I am Nóóda’í Dine’é Táchii’nii (Ute Red Running Into Water Clan) + Díbéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan) + Tł’izí lání (Many Goats Clan) + Bit’ahnii (Fold Arm People Clan), this is how I represent myself as a Diné woman. My roots stem from Monument Valley, Utah.

Within my professional capacity I hold the role as ALCC’s Wood For Life Communication Coordinator, I had just immersed myself within the crew this year of 2024 and I am really excited to grow and learn from the legacy. Outside ALCC, I serve as a data evaluator and cultural advisor for a grassroots org based out of Navajo Nation. I am driven to share and uphold land-based teachings and reciprocity within the roles and responsibilities I hold within my community and beyond. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Environmental Science from Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, WA. After graduating, I dedicated another 3 years working with First Nations and Coast Salish tribal communities of Western Washington. Within those 3 years I served as a Research Assistant within Traditional Clam Gardens on surrounding islands of Lummi Nation + Squamish Nation as well as in the mountains tracking radio collared Elk as a wildlife technician partner for the Swinomish Tribe.

I thrive when immersed in the outdoors. I love floating within the sacred waters of the San Juan River, I enjoying hiking/backpacking, traveling, riding dirt bikes and motorcycles, and riding horses on my family’s ranch. I have four fur babies; one rez pubby name Petrie, one loud blue tick coon hound named Pasu, one fearless black cat named Batman, and a tuxedo cat name Kiki

Aaron Lowden (He/Him) is from the Pueblo of Acoma and currently serving under Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps as the Ancestral Lands Food Systems Program Manager. In 2010, Aaron began his career working with the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Fellowship leading trail feasibility studies and youth outreach programming. Aaron later joined the Acoma Ancestral Lands Program where he recruited, managed, and mentored crews to collaboratively complete land-based service-learning projects. In 2012, Aaron established the Acoma Farm Corps and has taught local youth skills central to Acoma traditional agricultural food system practices. He has created and curated the Acoma Ancestral Lands Seed Bank as well as organized food sovereignty gatherings and workshops for the Acoma community and tribal partners. After leaving Ancestral Lands in 2021, Aaron started working with the national non-profit Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance as the Indigenous Seed Keepers Network Program Coordinator to nourish and assist the growing Seed Sovereignty Movement across Turtle Island by providing grant funding, in person regional seed keeper gatherings, educational resources, mentorship training, as well as outreach and advocacy support on seed policy issues.

Marshall (He/Him) is Paaqapwungwu (Reed) Clan from the village of Bacavi on the Hopi Reservation. Marshall started conservation work in 2007 with the Coconino Rural Environment Corps, moved to Southwest Conservation Corps, spent a season with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, then settled with Ancestral Lands for the long haul.

He enjoys serving his community by providing opportunities through recreation and service. He enjoys long cold walks in canyons wearing a wetsuit and being bogged down with wet ropes.

Hello, my name is Kennedy Nelson. I am from the Honágháahnii Clan and born for Tódích'ii’nii Clan. I was born and raised in Deer Springs, Arizona and Navajo, New Mexico.

My time with Ancestral Lands first started in 2022 as a member on a chainsaw/restoration crew. In 2023, I stepped into a new role as a leader for the all-women trails crew. In 2024, an opportunity to work for the Navajo Nation Department of Fish & Wildlife was a dream job I stepped into. After a wonderful year working and learning so much as a wildlife technician for the Diné Native Plants program. I made the decision to come back with Ancestral Lands as the new program coordinator for the Diné office. I am looking forward to collaborating with every staff, member, and project partner in this new year. It feels great to be a part of the AL team again.

On my time outside of work, I am pursuing my bachelor's in environmental science. When I am not working on assignments, the remainder of my time is spent investing in my house, creative pursuits, personal goals, and exploring the outdoors.

James (He/Him) comes from the Pueblo of Zuni, New Mexico. James had become interested in the conservation field after joining a New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps crew based in Zuni in 2015. Then in 2017 he joined AL Zuni office as a crew member, then each year after he progressed into new roles, such as assistant crew leader, crew leader, Field Supervisor for the Dine’ office, Historic Preservation Coordinator, and now 2023, Program Coordinator for the Zuni office.

Majority of James’s field experience has evolved around Historic Preservation, stabilizing ancestral structures throughout the southwest and he also has significant trail work experience. Restoration, erosion mitigation, and Invasive Species Removal are all knowledge James wants to transfer back into the Zuni community.

Chas (He/Him) began with Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) in April 2012. He began as a Field Supervisor, then co-led a Disaster Relief Crew in New York in November 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. In January 2013, he began as Ancestral Lands Program Coordinator, working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Acoma Pueblo to support existing programs and bring new conservation opportunities to Tribal Lands in the Southwest. Chas became the SCC Four Corners Program Director in January 2014 and the Ancestral Lands Executive Director in 2015. Before joining SCC, Chas spent 3 ½ years with the Student Conservation Association’s (SCA) Desert Restoration Corps, working to restore and protect desert ecosystems in the Mojave Desert. He worked in Mount Rainier National Park with the SCA and led high school crews throughout Colorado with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. When not working, Chas can be found climbing in the mountains or desert, canyoneering in Red Rock country, or falling off his bike on beginner mountain bike trails.

Josh is Hopi from Songoopavi Village on Second Mesa. His clan is Honwungwa or Bear Clan and also has family connections to the Pueblo of Laguna.

He was raised on the Hopi reservation all his life having grown up learning about traditions and cultural practices. Today he now spends a great majority of his time dry farming, practicing his traditions, and fulfilling his clan roles and responsibilities.

Josh attended school on the reservation through high school and went on to attend Northern Arizona University from where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry with a certificate in Forest Health in 2022.

After college Josh worked a short period with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Forestry program in Whiteriver, AZ on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. He joined Ancestral Lands as a Program Coordinator in 2023 out of interest in conservation and as a way to give back to his local community by providing opportunities for young adults.

Some of the things he enjoys doing on his off time are running, weaving, fishing, being on the tractor, learning new skills, auto detailing, photography and spending time with friends and family.

Kyle (He/Him) began working with Conservation Legacy as a crew member with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) in the summer of 2014. Since then, he's worked in various capacities within the organization as Crew Supervisor, Program Coordinator, and Program Manager of AZCC’s White Mountains office. In the fall of 2019, Kyle moved to Albuquerque to assume the role of Program Director with Ancestral Lands, then Associate Director in 2021.

In his spare time, he enjoys writing, playing guitar, and internally debating on whether the overwhelming emphasis of sabermetrics is healthy for the game of baseball.

Arden (He/Him) is Born and Raised from the Pueblo of Zuni. Since his introduction to conservation work circa 2015 as a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew member helping to build trails around Zuni. That summer became the catalyst to his purpose of caretaking the land and connecting with people. Upon hearing about the ALCC in the following year. He took a chance and applied to AL-Zuni office as a member of the first roving crews in the beginning. As years passed, Arden would eagerly step into his trusty boots to help lead crews, working primarily around the Southwest conducting Saw work, Trail work, Historic Preservation and much more.

Since taking the left turn at Albuquerque after completing a rewarding season there, he has since found his way back home in Zuni. In his current role, Arden is incredibly blessed and appreciative to join the AL staff as the program’s Communications Coordinator. He now strives to represent and honor the amazing collective work of the program by storytelling through various mediums. His goals have now grown to the document the successes and challenges of this field while being inclusive and welcoming to all. He hopes his continued contributions can inspire those in and out of the program. When not pursuing new creative projects, Arden always enjoys catching a live show of his favorite bands or can be found hanging out with his family.