2024-25 Hozhoni Ambassador & First Attendant
Hozhoni Ambassador
Audrey Leonetti
Yup'ik
Major: Double major in Native American and Indigenous Studies & Environmental Conservation and Management
Waqaa wiinga atka Iirpaq. Aanaka Ciisquq, aataka Evon Pitla. Maur’luqa Grace Poindexter, Mary Lyonnais-illu, apaur’luqa Al Poindexter, Bob Leonetti-illu. Curyungmiungunga. Wiing Yupiugua. Quyana!
What’s up! My Yup’ik name is Iirpaq and my English name is Audrey. My parents are Crystal and Ed Leonetti. My grandparents are Al and Grace Poindexter, Mary Lyonnais, and the late Bob Leonetti. I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska; my family is from Dillingham, Alaska. I am so excited for this opportunity! I am currently double majoring in Environmental Conservation and Management and Native American Indigenous Studies in hopes of going back home and helping tribes facing climate-change-related issues. As Hozhoni Ambassador, my goal is to build a community for Alaska Native students. I plan to do this by hosting different events including beading workshops, a traditional food potluck, and possibly NYO practices. If you are interested in any of these, please don't hesitate to reach out!
First Attendant
Selena Gonzales
Diné
Major: Criminology and Justice Studies
Minor: Native American and Indigenous Studies
Email: sjgonzales@fortlewis.edu
Yáʼátʼééh shí éí Selena Gonzales yinishyé, Hashtłʼishnii nishłí, Naakai łbahí báshíshchíín, Nąąshtʼéézhí Tábą́ąha naadąą dineʼé dashicheii, Naakai łbahí dashinálí. Tółikan eʼeʼaahjo dawoozhi tahʼ dę́ę́ʼ naashá. Siláó innalkaahígií dóó beenihwiitʼahígií dóó ałʼąą dineʼé bitsiʼ daashtłʼishigií nitʼaaʼanalkaaígíí áádóó bitsʼąądoo ínáhooʼaa dii binaaltsoos wooshbįįh biniyé íínishtaʼ. Ákótʼéégo Diné asdzáán dóó Diné bila’ashdlaaigi nishłí. Ahé’hee
Hi everyone, I’m Selena Gonzales, I am Mud clan, born for the Hispanic people, my maternal grandfather is of the Zuni Wateredge Corn people clan, and my paternal grandfather is of the Hispanic people. I am from Sweetwater, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation, this is who I am as a Navajo woman and a five-fingered being. I am majoring in Criminology and Justice Studies with a Minor in Native American Indigenous Studies in hopes to work in drug enforcement and return home to incorporate traditional healing ways into rehabilitation and detention centers on reservations. As Hozhoni Ambassador First Attendant, my goal is to create a designated space(s) on campus for Indigenous students to comfortably engage in smudging, prayer, and other traditional practices.
Apply now to be a 2025-26 Hozhoni Ambassador