MISSION: Southwest Research and Information Center is a multi-cultural organization working to promote the health of people and communities, protect natural resources, ensure citizen participation, and secure environmental and social justice now and for future generations

SRIC Extras

Kudos to Dr. Frances Ortega
Southwest Research and Information Center’s Board and Staff are proud to offer our congratulations to fellow staff person Frances Ortega on the completion of her Doctorate in Environmental Education. Her thesis, “Fire in the Belly: A case study of Chicana activists working toward environmental and social justice in New Mexico” was completed in late April. Frances was “hooded” during the University of New Mexico Commencement and Convocation ceremonies on May 14, 2005. SRIC staff joined with her family and friends to celebrate her achievement. Congratulations Frances on all your hard work.

Sarah Adeky – Navajo Community Liason
Southwest Research and Information Center welcomes Sarah Henio-Adeky as out new Navajo Community Liaison. Mrs. Henio-Adeky has worked with chapters and communities throughout the Navajo Nation as a volunteer grassroot developer, assisting local communities with community and economic development. Her work with the Ramah Navajo Chapter included extensive work in area of policy development that affects local community self-governance effort. The work expanded to working with local groups, Navajo Nation, State and National officials.
She is a lifetime resident and a member of the Ramah Navajo Community. As a landowner, farmer, and rancher, she strongly believes in perserving non-renewable and renewable resources. She was taught by her elders to respect their natural environment, the land, the wildlife, birds, and plants for they are living things that humans depend on for food and nourishments as a means of survival and to maintain an ecological balance. Mrs. Henio-Adeky has rich traditional values and are imperative in her life and work in maintaining a healthy native community. Her relatives and community people view her in that fashion.

Currently, Mrs. Henio-Adeky is a senior Extended University student at the University of New Mexico-Gallup Branch, and expects to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in May 2006. As a student in education, she find that the natural science is a vital part in the education of Native American children. This year she is participating in the Healthy Native Communities Iniatives Fellowship program – Indian Health Service-Shiprock Health Promotion. This program offers assistance in extensive work in communities promoting and creating healthier communities. This is a resource she brings with her.

Sarah is excited about her new role with Southwest Research and Information Center as the Navajo Community Liaison. She looks forward to a busy but rewarding experience as she educates Navajo communities in the Eastern Navajo Agency area about uranium and its negative effects on human beings.