MEET OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Celina is a volunteer Advisory Committee member specializing in creating meaningful connections as an Indigenous Advocate & Practitioner of Wellness of: Mind/Body/Spirit and Emotions, and a Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula, a mother and “G-ma”.

Celina is known as an energetic Motivational Facilitator who integrates traditional ecological knowledge, holistic modalities, Mind/Body Transformational Psychology, personal empowerment coaching, cardiovascular health, and wellness; and Movement is Medicine to inspire people from the inside/out!

Celina travels to native communities to facilitate workshops specializing in Wellness and Motivation, Staff Development, Cultural Exchanges, Talking Circles and Hawaiian Entertainment.

Currently, she is the Tribal Liaison and Community Outreach Coordinator for The Strong Heart Study in Phoenix. Celina coordinated the first of its kind (launched during the height of the pandemic) Strong Men, Strong Communities Study, a health, and wellness program specifically designed for native men held 100% online. 

Celina is the Founder of Native Lifeway and author of 365 Days of HA. 

For more information: www.nativelifeway.com 

Geraldine "Gerri" Lovato, LMSW/LSAA, is from the Pueblo of San Felipe and has worked with adolescences for 28 years in various learning settings. Gerri has found group work to be a powerful tool in managing and getting youth to open up, feel comfortable and have a great learning experience. In the years that she has worked with adolescents she has developed programs needed for specific outcomes such as leadership, substance abuse awareness, life skills, community improvement to name a few.  An example program which is designed and based on a restorative/tribal justice and student support model that promotes student success and builds self–esteem while students remain academically engaged. It includes the following essential components: Student/Parental/Staff/Community Engagement, Cultural Mentorship, Prevention and Intervention Education, Life Skills, Community Service, Leadership Training, Academic Support, and Counseling. Experiential learning has been huge part of teaching youth, life skills, cultural and traditional values, as indigenous people experiential learning has always been at the fore front of how we learn.

An Odawa citizen of the Grand Traverse Band in Peshawbestown, Michigan, Arlene possesses a MA in Educational Leadership/School Principalship and a BA in Psychology with a minor in Indian Studies. In 1989 she received the honor of being chosen the National Indian Student of the Year Award as an undergraduate student. 

Arlene is a certified Substance Abuse Counselor with 20+ years’ experience and five years’ administrative experience as a Tribal Department Manager.   

She has 20-years’ experience as a TA consultant and educational diversity presenter in educational settings. Arlene’s personal life experiences and childhood challenges have inspired her to assist individuals gain knowledge for changing the outcomes of intergenerational trauma for themselves, their families and their Tribal communities. 

Arlene, a Traditional Pipe Carrier for 30 years, integrates Traditional Ceremonies and Teachings to promote healing and growth for Tribal People throughout their journey to sobriety and healing. 

Johnny Talawyma, ACLC, is a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana and Hopi of Arizona. Formally the Clinical Supervisor at the Northern Cheyenne Recovery Center, Johnny is now pursuing his Masters Degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Mental Health Related Services at Montana State University in Billings. Johnny chose this graduate degree program to be able to help people with mental health and co-occurring disorders. His undergraduate studies focused on additions, but he learned that it's a cycle-issues with mental health can cause addictions and addictions can lead to mental health disorders. Johnny enjoys physical activities during his down time and spending quality time with his family. He believes that serving a role model for his peers and younger generation will build a positive future for all.