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Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Inspired by Elders

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Tanya Lewis advises young people to know where they came from.

Embracing the advice of her elders for wisdom and guidance is what keeps Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Tanya Lewis grounded and steadfast as she serves in one of the highest positions in her nation.

“My biggest mentor has been my mom,” she said. “She taught me about compassion, understanding and common sense. My father was amazing; he worked in telecommunications with AT&T for 25 years and taught me to be strong. They are a huge part of who I am today, and I miss them daily.”

Lewis was sworn in as Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman in October 2022. Her father, Lyman Lewis, was with her at her inauguration, but passed away a few months later.

Soft-spoken with kind eyes that reflect her sincerity and integrity, Lewis is approachable, cordial and yet stalwart and wise. She holds an associate degree in business management from Yavapai College.

“Working alongside the Tribal Council, I oversee about 30 programs and govern a management team,” she said. “This encompasses everything from law enforcement, social services, food bank, health clinic, cultural department, Senior Program, Yavapai-Apache Cultural Center and others.”

Located in the Verde Valley, the Yavapai-Apache Nation is comprised of five tribal communities: Tunlii, Middle Verde, Rimrock, Camp Verde and Clarkdale. It is the largest employer in Verde Valley, operating six businesses and numerous government departments.

Born and raised on the reservation in Clarkdale, Lewis says it’s important to know where you came from. “My dad hunted for the meat that we ate and our food came from food boxes. I have 10 brothers and sisters, but I consider the Yavapai-Apache people to be my family and we were always there for our neighbors.”

Before assuming her position as chairwoman, Lewis served as Yavapai-Apache vice chairwoman, a Tribal Council member and executive assistant for two administrations.  She says her strength comes from God. “I get up early every morning to pray, not just for myself and my family, but I also pray for our community. I chose to be here because I love it here and love serving to the best of my ability for my people.”

“Chairwoman Tanya Lewis was an outstanding student of mine while I was a professor at Yavapai College (YC),” said Northern Arizona University (NAU) Professor Dr. Joy D’Angelo. “She stood out as a collaborator with her fellow YC students by her exemplary academic work. In addition, I had the honor of working with her to bring a vision she had for leadership education for the Yavapai-Apache nation.”

As a woman leading a Native American tribe, challenges can arise periodically. “Sometimes misunderstandings in communication occur and we always work it out,” she said.

Yavapai-Apache Cultural Resource Center employee and elder, Barbara McCabe has known Lewis since 2005 and was close friends with Lewis’s mom. “Tanya took good care of her mom and dad. We talk quite often and sometimes she will seek elders’ advice on cultural or environmental issues.”

As a mom of two adult children, Lance, 29, and Taylor, 18, Lewis’ advice to younger Native women is to “always look toward your elders for wisdom, guidance and advice. Take to heart their teaching and learn it and live it.  It will keep you grounded as it teaches us why and who we are.” She added that it is very important to lead by example.

Leisure time for Lewis is sewing. She makes all her dresses.  “I love to sew and make ribbon shirts. I recently learned to make pillowcases and pillows and I’m learning to quilt. I also enjoy following my daughters’ rodeos.”

My Favorite Meal

I love tacos!  Tacos make me happy. They are my comfort food.  I like to make my own soft-shell tacos. They have a lot of flavor; I love to eat them with salsa and they are quick to make and eat.

Meaningful Childhood Memory

Every weekend when my dad came home we were all at the softball field cheering on my older sisters.

Advice for Young People

Look for a purpose. You need to know who we are as individuals. There are no limits in life and there’s always somebody out there to help you, guide you and show you the way.

The Moment I Knew I was a Leader

It was many years ago when I worked with the Yavapai-Apache Nation Pageant Committee. We spent the time with the young ladies mentoring them and teaching, talking and listening. To see these young women grow and see where they are today is wonderful. After that, I sought election and served as a Tribal Council Member from 2010 to 2013. I set expectations for myself and went out there and did it. I thought, “Wow! I can do it.”

Where I Go for Solitude and Contemplation

I love kickboxing and working out at Sensei Robert Gonzales’ HDH Powerhouse Gym in Cottonwood. I also like working in my yard and just being outside. QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Chairwoman Tanya Lewis oversees multiple Yavapai-Apache Nation programs including law enforcement, social services, the food bank and health clinic.

Survey to Evaluate Broadband Capabilities for Rural Populations

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As many as 42 million citizens may not have access to high-speed internet.

A direct consequence of the shutdowns and isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has been “front and center awareness of the criticality of broadband and its significance in issues such as emergency management, education, health care and work access – and many others,” according to Teri Drew, regional director for the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) in Prescott.

“The intensity for creating broadband awareness has prompted us with NACOG to sponsor a major survey throughout Yavapai, Coconino, Apache and Navajo Counties. That survey will help us develop a strategic blueprint for improving connectivity and digital equity among our citizens,” she explained.

Drew defined broadband infrastructure as the cabling and electrical systems that wire homes and businesses into local and regional telecommunication and cable companies. “Communications networks and the internet are linked together, making it possible to interconnect local users with internet, telephone, television and other similar services.”

Bandwidth describes how much information can be transmitted in a network. “The more bandwidth, the fewer bottlenecks to slow the flow of information,” she said.

Drew and her NACOG colleagues with the Economic and Workforce Development program have partnered with Magellan Advisors, an industry-leading broadband company, to assess broadband availability in the four counties that comprise NACOG.

“Our primary goal is to gather information from residents and organizations within our various communities – large and small – so we can better understand their unique needs. To do that, we’re asking residents and businesses in all the communities to participate by taking what we have called the ‘NACOG Broadband Survey,’” she said. “It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. It should be completed by the person in your residence or organization who chooses or uses and pays for services in that location.”

Julia Sawyer, Drew’s executive assistant, emphasized that data collected during surveys will not be used for any purpose other than developing the strategic plan. “If a person feels uncomfortable with a question, that question can be skipped. All we want is to gather demographic and statistical data so that we can compare information with census data and interpret the statistical relevance of responses. Privacy is absolutely assured.”

Participating in the survey will continue until probably the end of June, Sawyer said. The survey is totally online, so only those with access to the internet can participate.

Once survey data has been compiled, NACOG hopes to apply for state and federal grants, examine current and future infrastructure needs in the region, identify unserved and underserved areas, conduct a needs assessment, look for public-private partnership opportunities and design conceptional networks.

Part of a Bigger Scheme

What is happening in NACOG and the other regions in Arizona is part of a national effort. A recent announcement from the Federal Communications Commission indicates the FCC plans to provide low-income households across the nation with assistance to help them cover internet costs.

A $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is available to households that participate in existing low income and pandemic relief programs offered by high-speed internet providers. The same is true of subscribers to the FCC Lifeline Program. That includes those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Medicaid and support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

A Pew Research Center study found that 53% of Americans believe the internet has been an essential tool during the pandemic. However, as many as 42 million citizens may not have access to high-speed internet.

NACOG is one of several organizations trying to help people by getting them connected, especially in rural areas. But the NACOG territory is diverse – from the northeastern borders of the state to Central Arizona. Officials say with nearly 48,000 square miles and 561,000 people, the use of broadband has become critically important.

“We are committed to the economic recovery and resilience of Northern Arizona. Please help us, through this survey, continue to be a vital resource to community resources, elder care, childcare, mobility and transportation planning and, certainly, economic and workforce development,” said Drew. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

For more information, call 928-778-1422 or visit nacog.org.