Our Team

Leon A. Nuvayestewa Sr.

Founder of Tutskwat Oqawtoynani

Hopi elder, Sakhongvaiya, (green tobacco standing in a row), Leon A. Nuvayestewa Sr. declared to his family that if "no one was going to do anything about the trash, I will."

Leon was our financial manager but due to his health he has stepped back to take care of himself, with help from family. He provided cultural content for public awareness, and he kept in communication with our Mongwit(traditional leadership) as well as keeping us seen at the state, national, and international level. He continues to encourage us and is our Inspiration and Motivation!

Evangeline Nuvayestewa

Volunteer-Tewa Corn Clan Matriarch

Evangeline is not only a pillar in the community but is also the foundation for Tutskwat Oqawtoynani. Since 2016 she has opened up her home at Tewa Village to feed volunteers, she cooks, and cleans after everyone and keeps the plaza at Tewa free of litter on the daily. She is our inspiration to live our lives in a way that honors our way of life, Evangeline also contributes to the cultural education around roles and responsibilities for women which include stewardship practices by which she lives and upholds every day. We want to recognize and honor her in a manner that is befitting a woman of her stature.

Valerie Nuvayestewa

Project Coordinator/Financial Manager

Valerie, is Hopi/Tewa and from the Tewa Corn Clan, Tewa Village, First Mesa, Arizona. Valerie is the Project Coordinator and has recently taken on the role of Financial Manager for this Hopi/Tewa led grassroots, environmental organization. Her community and family joins in this meaningful work as they come together to cultivate awareness of land stewardship within their villages.

Valerie receives guidance from the Advisory Group made up of four women pictured below, who help her to identify and prioritize needs for Tutskwat Oqawtoynani.