Leadership and Legacy in Navajo Nation: A Journey with Explore Class 4

Earlier this month, the Explore Class 4 embarked on a powerful three-day journey through the Navajo Nation, deepening our understanding of Indigenous leadership, innovation, and resilience. Our trip began at the STAR School near Leupp, Arizona, the first off-grid, solar-powered charter school in the country, where we learned from Dr. Mark Sorensen, one of the school’s founders, and Thomas Walker, former Navajo Nation Council Delegate. They shared their vision of culturally rooted, environmentally sustainable education.

Over lunch generously sponsored by the Sprouts Foundation, we explored a traditional Hogan on campus, where we gained insight into its sacred design and significance as a place of learning, healing, and ceremony. In the afternoon, we traveled to Twin Arrows Casino Resort, where Tony Skrelunas, former Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development and current Managing Partner at Tribes.Land, shared a bold vision for Indigenous economic sovereignty. Karl C. Jim, Cultural Liaison for the Navajo Gaming Enterprise, then guided us through the casino’s architecture and artwork, emphasizing how cultural preservation can be woven into economic development. We ended the day with dinner at Zenith Steakhouse, taking time to reflect on the stories and strategies shared.

On our second day, we spent meaningful time in Tuba City with Change Labs, a Native-led nonprofit supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs by providing co-working space, incubator programs, and culturally relevant business development tools. Executive Director Racquel Black and Operations Manager Sophia Piestewa introduced us to their mission of building a more equitable economy rooted in Indigenous values. We heard from three talented local artisans whose journeys illustrated how creativity and commerce thrive together in community. 

Lunch was a culinary highlight, catered by Chef Carlos Deal of AlterNative Eats, whose dishes, including house-grown smoked lamb ravioli gigante and corn prepared four ways, celebrated local ingredients and Indigenous culinary traditions. Later, Navajo Nation Council Delegate Germaine Simonson joined us for a thoughtful discussion about the complexities of tribal governance, representation, and community advocacy. Our evening concluded with a breathtaking jeep tour of Monument Valley, ending with a traditional Navajo Taco dinner inside one of the region’s stunning sandstone canyons.

Our final day focused on environmental justice, infrastructure, and community empowerment. Fern Benally, environmental advocate and former Navajo Nation Council Delegate, shared a sobering history of the Black Mesa Mine and efforts to reclaim and restore the land. We also learned from Valentina Clitso of the Diné Ranchers Association about the challenges and innovations in sustainable ranching within the Nation. Vircynthia Charley of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) introduced us to Light Up Navajo, a groundbreaking initiative bringing electricity to homes for the first time—improving safety, health, and education across remote communities. 

Before returning to Phoenix, we stopped at the historic Cameron Trading Post for a final group lunch and reflection. Ginger Sykes Torres, a Navajo environmental leader and Valley Leadership board member, offered closing thoughts that brought our experience full circle—reinforcing the interconnectedness, adaptability, and generosity that define leadership across the Navajo Nation. We left with renewed respect and inspiration, grateful for the time, knowledge, and stories shared with us throughout this unforgettable journey.

Thank you to all of our Navajo Nation partners who made our trip to their community such a success! See all the pictures from our trip on Facebook.