Circle of Indigenous Empowerment

On April 11 and 12, 2025, the 21st Annual American Indian Disability Summit and the 5th Annual Native Youth Disability Summit were held. The American Indian Disability Summit was held in person at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, while the Native Youth summit was held virtually. Both summits provided an opportunity to network, share knowledge and skills, and address issues and challenges facing Native communities.

The CIE has been approved for another year of funding from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. With this new funding, the CIE will be able to maintain and expand the Center’s Native Initiatives. As the new year begins, we sat down with CIE Director Agnes Attakai to discuss the successes of the last year and plans for the future.

On December 7, the Sonoran Center’s Native Center for Disabilities monthly webinar series hosted a special screening of two documentary films and one short film by activist and filmmaker Jim Warne. The two films, 7th Generation, and Remember the Children, and short film, “Oyáte un Itówapi - Pictures of My People”, discussed the historical and ongoing oppression and marginalization of Native American communities, while emphasizing their resilience and drive to preserve their culture.