2023 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards

This awards process began fourty years ago when Phyllis Big Pond, Phoenix Indian Center's Director at the
time, said "We need a dinner to recognize outstanding American Indian community leaders." The dinner
was then the strong hold of the current Native American Recognition Days, highlighting a variety of
American Indian cultural heritage events held in the valley. The dinner has significant meaning and history
and we are proud to share it with you.

Previous award recipients have included: Governor Stephen Lewis, President Bernadine Burnette, Dr.
George BlueSpruce, Miguel Bravo, Dr. Eddie Brown, Code Talker Joe Hosteen Kellwood, John Lewis,
President Ivan Makil, Dr. John Molina, Mary Kim Titla, Dr. Octaviana V. Trujillo, President Peterson Zah,
Arizona Indian Gaming Association, Arizona Science Center, Navajo Times, Pace Pacific, Wells Fargo
Native Peoples Team Member Network and more.

The following awards are presented at the event - Lifetime Achievement - Man; Lifetime Achievement - Woman; Man of the Year; Woman of the Year; Friend of the Community (non-Native that works for, and
on behalf of, the community); Business of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; and several youth awards.