ASU American Indian Social Work Student Association

‘FORKS UP’ for another successful AISWSA event!! 🔱 We were so honored to celebrate AISWSA’s 30th anniversary as a registered student organization at Arizona State University. Thank you to our MC’s Logan Logg and Tonana Ben and to our sponsors IDEA, GSG , OAIP, and the School of Social Work . Thank you to entertainer, Randy Kemp .artist. We were thrilled to celebrate 30 years of history, indigenous activism, and native representation within social work at ASU. A special thank you to students, AISWSA members and alumni, and faculty and staff who attended, and specifically Christopher Sharp of the Office of American Indian Projects and Vickie Baldwin of AISSS Downtown Phoenix .

A round of applause for our AISWSA leadership team 2024-2025: Amber Means (President), Nizhoni Saenz (Vice President), Debra Garcia (Secretary), Jaime Steele (Treasurer), and Weston Gale (Community Coordinator), and a special thank you to AISWSA members and supporters Devonna Montgomery and Ashley Friend-Purtee (OAIP Interns).

HAPPY AISWSA 30TH ANNIVERSARY! 🎉🎉

Special shout-out to Tohono O’odham Community College for allowing us to attend their borderlands event on Saturday and learn from their amazing speakers and presenters! There was so much informative information provided by everyone who spoke regarding border policies and their interference with tribal members on the nation. We are grateful for people who are willing speak about these issues and bring them to light so that more people can be informed about them and seek to address them in the best ways possible

Thank you to everyone who attended our presentation about Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) in the Southwest. It was incredibly informative and eye-opening to hear all of the insight from Victim Specialist, Twyla Dolan, MSW, as well as hear from the students, staff, and faculty in attendance. To hear about more events in the future, follow our instagram as well as join our organization as a member on Sun Devil Sync!

Join the American Indian Social Work Student Association for our monthly general meeting! Our next meeting will be about the MMIP crisis in the Southwest with BIA Victim Specialist, Twyla Dolan, MSW. We will be meeting Wednesday, March 26th at 12:15-1:30. Please come and learn about these important issues that affect indigenous communities nationwide-wide. RSVP in Sun Devil Sync.

Begin self-nominations or peer-nominations for AISWSA leadership! If you have an interest in Social Work and serving Native communities, then AISWSA is for you! Email [email protected] for inquiries if you’d like to know more about AISWSA leadership roles, organizing, and programming on campus! The nomination form link will be in our bio.

Thank you for everyone who attended our panel and discussion on Afro-Indigenous Identity during Black History Month! We acknowledge that these opportunities to build solidarity and highlight the intersectionality of our complex identities is so important in our mission of social work and public service. We hope go continue these conversations moving forward! Thank you again to our amazing panelists and to those who attended in-person. Here are some photos from the event today.

Please join the American Indian Social Work Student Association (AISWSA) and American Indian Student Support Services (AISSS) for a Q&A Panel and Discussion on Afro-Indigenous Identity on Wednesday, February 26, 2025! 🖤🤎 February is Black History Month!

Please note the ‼️LOCATION HAS CHANGED‼️ This panel will now be held in the San Carlos Conference Room (POST 135).

Join us to listen, learn, and celebrate afro-indigeneity! 🌟✨ Link in bio to register for the event! You can also use the QR code to RSVP on Sun Devil Sync.
Virtual attendance via zoom is also available!
Meeting ID: 828 0332 9447.

‼️Hopi Members and Allies‼️

AISWSA is sharing some information…

Nukwung’dawanasavti!

Friendly reminder! Hopi BHS will be hosting an in person, Peer Support Certification training at Sipaulovi Youth and Elder Center on 3/3 to 3/6/25. You must attend all 4 days (AHCCCS certification requirements) Individuals must be in recovery for at least 1 year from their substance use or mental health challenges and be comfortable sharing their recovery journey. Applications are due 02/21/25. Preference will be given to Hopi and Tewa community members as we are working towards increasing recovery supports in our Hopi community. Applications may be submitted to either of us or if you have questions we can be reached at 928-737-6300; Dion S., Peer Support Specialist, [email protected] or Andrea J., Substance Abuse Clinician @ [email protected]


Peer Support Specialist are often the bridge to recovery, supports, and treatment services. By sharing their lived experience they inspire and walk alongside individuals in their recovery journey. Everyone’s recovery journey is different. Frequently Asked Questions: Core Competencies for Peer Workers https://www.samhsa.gov/technical-assistance/brss-tacs/peer-support-workers/core-competencies-faq

Please join the American Indian Social Work Student Association (AISWSA) at the American Indian Student Support Services (AISSS) Downtown Campus location for a Q&A Panel and Discussion on Afro-Indigenous Identity! 🖤🤎 February is Black History Month! Join us to listen, learn, and celebrate afro-indigeneity! 🌟✨ Link in bio to register for the event! You can also use the QR code to RSVP on Sun Devil Sync.

Join the American Indian Social Work Student Association (AISWSA) for our first general meeting of the semester on a discussion about ✨Self-Care for Social Workers✨ We will also provide donuts for those attending in-person! 🍩 Come early for a study time and social hour at 12:30pm! The official discussion/conversation will begin at 1pm! We hope to see you there! ☺️🩷 To attend the event via zoom (online), here is our Meeting ID: 828 0332 9447

Hello everyone!

We hope that you all have been able to get plenty of rest during the winter break! With the semester soon approaching, we wanted to invite you all to the AISWSA welcome back event on Friday, January 24 from 11:30AM - 1:30PM. This event will be held at the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus in the UCENT Building on the 8th floor in room 822A, but there is also a Zoom option for those who choose to participate virtually. This event will be an info session with food provided as well. For any questions pertaining to this event, please reach out to the community coordinator, Weston Gale, at [email protected]. We hope to see you all there!

🎄✨ Friendsmas vibes are in the air! Join us this Friday for a morning of holiday cheer with a White Elephant gift exchange 🎁 and a potluck-style breakfast feast 🍳🥞. Don’t miss out on the fun, laughter, and memories! 🥂