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Conner Byestewa Jr. Award

Conner Byestewa Jr. Award

Conner Byestewa Jr. (1937-1999) was the Director of Environmental Protection and the Agriculture Regulatory Office for the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT). Since 2000, the Tribal EPA & U.S. EPA Region 9 Conference has celebrated his life and legacy by awarding the Conner Byestewa Jr. Award to Tribal environmental professionals from Region 9. Conner set the bar for environmental protection in Region 9 and beyond. This award highlights the achievements of Tribal environmental professionals in Region 9 who are committed to Conner’s principles of tribal self-government, improved human health, and environmental protection.

In recognition of Conner Byestewa Jr.’s commitment to environmental protection and Tribal heritage, we are accepting nominations that showcase those who have demonstrated leadership in Tribal environmental protection. We welcome nominees whose work strengthens Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, improves human health, and enhances community relationships. If this sounds like a person or organization you know, please submit a nomination by August 31, 2024 using the nomination form on the Conner Byestewa Jr. Award page. We plan to recognize one awardee from each state for a total of three awards, so please make sure to nominate someone from your state!

You may submit your nomination by filling out the nomination form below.

Nomination Form

Nomination Form

We are humbled to honor those who continue Conner’s work in Region 9 and look forward to reviewing your nominations. Please make sure to submit your nomination by August 31, 2024.

Byestewa Awards Banquet

Details for the Beyestewa Awards Banquet TBA

Every year, the Tribal EPA & U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference organizers are proud to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to Tribal environmental protection by bestowing the Conner Byestewa Jr. Awards. During the Conner Byestewa Jr. Awards Banquet, each awardee is recognized for their outstanding work as Tribal environmental professionals and publicly honored with the ceremonial presentation of the award. 

The Conner Byestewa Jr. Awards Banquet is an opportunity to honor this year’s awardees and to recognize the hard work and dedication of all those who have committed themselves to Tribal environmental protection.

Go to the Conner Byestewa Jr. Page to read his biography.

BYESTEWA AWARDS SPEAKERS

Conner Byestewa Award speakers TBD

Conner Byestewa Jr. Award 2024 Recipients

2024 Conner Byestewa Jr. Award recipients TBA

Conner Byestewa Jr. Award Previous Recipients

2023 Recipients

Brenda Pusher-Begay, White Mountain Apache Tribe
Rob Roy, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians
Annette George, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe

2022 Recipients

Camilo Perez, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe
John Flores, San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
Mervin Wright, Jr., Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

2021 Recipients

Lillie Lane, Navajo Nation
Tashina Jim, Walker River Paiute Tribe
Paul Huette, Big Pine Tribe of Owens Valley

2020 RECIPIENTS

Jeremy Roy Phillips, Sr. – Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, AZ
Ed Smith – Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, CA
Clell Pete, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, UT

2019 RECIPIENTS

Gaila Montoya- Wells Band of Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, NV
Alan Bacock – Big Pine Tribe of the Owens Valley, CA
Charles Enos – Gila River Indian Community, AZ

2018 RECIPIENTS

John Parada- Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, CA

2017 RECIPIENTS

Lionel Puhuyesva – The Hopi Tribe, AZ

2016 RECIPIENTS

John Beresford – La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, CA

2015 RECIPIENTS

Elaine Wilson – Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, AZ

2014 RECIPIENTS

Gila River Indian Community, DEQ
Pesticide Control Office
(Ralph Morris, Hope Mix, Tony McCandless, Dan Hoyt)

2013 RECIPIENTS

Meyo Marrufo – Hopland Band of Pomo Indians

2012 RECIPIENTS

Brian Adkins – Bishop Paiute Tribe, CA
Warren J. Roan – Navajo Nation, AZ
John Mosely – Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, NV

2011 RECIPIENTS

Jesse Patterson – Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, CA
Rudy Mix – Gila River Indian Community, AZ
Marci Hunter Philips (posthumous) – Shoshone Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley, NV

2010 RECIPIENTS

Cornelius Antone – Tohono O’ Odham Nation, AZ
Yerington Paiute Tribe, NV
Ken Norton – Hoopa Valley Tribe, CA

2009 RECIPIENTS

Satya “Deb” Misra – Navajo Nation, AZ
Marie Barry – Washoe Tribes of CA & NV
The Hinthil Environmental Resources Consortium, CA

2008 RECIPIENTS

Arlene Luther (posthumous) – Navajo Nation, AZ
Hopland Band of Pomo Indians Environmental Team, CA
Dan Mosely – Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, NV

2007 RECIPIENTS

Anna Masayesva – The Hopi Tribe, AZ
Lenore Volturno – Pala Band of Mission Indians, CA
Bernice Lalo – Battle Mountain Council, NV

Conference Hosts

The Tribal EPA & U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference is proudly co-hosted by the Viejas Band Of Kumeyaay Indians and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the direction of the Viejas Environmental Department and in cooperation with EPA’s Region 9 Tribal Branch.

Partnership

Region 9 Tribes and U.S. EPA Together in Partnership

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Tribal EPA & U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference:
info@tribalepa.com | www.tribalepa.com

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