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SUMI NUNGWA

Our Mission

 Provide food, clothing, medical supplies, and firewood to Navajo & Hopi elders seeking to maintain their traditional lifestyle on their reservations

 

Build bridges between cultures

 

Encourage Hopi & Navajo artists to continue to produce their unique,   traditional arts & crafts 

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Our Passionate People

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Robert Marzec

Robert handles the jobs of Controller, Writer, Editor, and keeping Cheryl out of trouble, etc. believe me, that last one is a big job!

 

He's committed to the elders, managing funds, and ensuring we never miss a food run. 

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Cheryl Marzec

Guess I'm the one who started this thing. Maybe that's why Robert made me president.

 

I saw a need and packed some bags with things I knew the elders needed and with Winnie Henry's help started delivering them. Boy were they surprised when we showed up at their doors.  That was the beginning.

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Michelle
Greenleaf

Michelle is Cheryl and Robert's “Bonus” daughter! She joined Sumi Nungwa as a volunteer in 2015, and assists with all aspects of the organization with a focus on helping us grow our exposure and outreach. 

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She is passionate about learning the culture and traditions of the Navajo and Hopi people and helping to preserve the Elderly’s traditional way of life. She also occasionally assists Robert with keeping the boss lady out of trouble!

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Dee Setalla

Dee is key to serving our Hopi elders. The Setalla Ranch, where he lives above Keams Canyon in Northern Arizona, is our staging area for food runs and a beautiful place to hold elder events.

 

He is a traditional Hopi potter and respected by the elders.  Without that mutual respect, the elders would not welcome us into their homes and hearts.

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Darren Tucker

Bio coming soon!

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Bryan Scott

Bio coming soon!

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Joni Glynn

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Joni has built personal relationships with the elders we support and is an integral part of our mission. She also owns BizWear, a local company supplying uniform apparel. Through her company and contacts, Joni has been able to provide much-needed clothing and shoes to our elders and their families.   

Winnie Henry

​Without Winnie, Sumi Nungwa would not be what we are. She is a traditional Navajo elder who lives by Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Winnie always had a strong desire to help her people.

 

When Cheryl & Robert approached her years ago about helping the elders, she was the gateway.  Because of the elders' trust in her, they allowed us into their homes and hearts.

Barbara Shirley

​​Barbara is passionate about helping her Navajo elders and preserving her culture! She has watched her mother, Winnie Henry, and us for years as we have served the elders. Now she is stepping up and becoming just as key as her mother.

 

Photos? It's amazing what lengths to which she'll go to avoid having her photo taken.

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