Listening to Tribes and understanding Tribal priorities drives our programs and services we offer.

Virgil Masayesva Tribal Air Programs Excellence Award

Purpose of the award:

To recognize outstanding contributions to the protection of air quality, health and our environment throughout Indian country. The award recognizes tribal environmental staff, tribal air programs, or other environmental professionals that have demonstrated leadership in tribal air programs.

Tribal Air Programs Excellence Awardees

2025 Awardees

2025

Ak-Chin Indian Community: Left to Right: Ralph “Manny” Gomez, Roman Orona

2022

Bishop Paiute: Emma Ruppell

2022

Confederated Tribes of the Colville: Chris Ray

2023

Gila River Indian Community: Pat Mariella (retired)

2023

Quapaw Nation: Craig Kreman

2024

Yurok Tribe: Joe Hostler, Tribal Development Program

2019

Pechanga: Gillian Mittelstadt, Tribal Healthy Homes Network

2020

Penobscot Nation: Bill Thompson

2021

LaJolla Band of Mission Indians: Frank Spurgeon

2016

Rosalie Kalistook, Orutsararmiut Native Council, Policy Development Excellence
Angela Benedict, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe – Tribal Program Development

2017

Jason Walker, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation – Policy Development Excellence.
Northern Cheyenne Tribe Air Quality Division – Tribal Program Development

2018

(L-R) James Payne, EPA-OAQPS; Brandon Gutierrez, Morongo; Pam Atcitty, Morongo; and Jon Castillo, Morongo (not pictured – Jessica Southard)

2013

Syndi Smallwood, Pechanga Band of Lusefio Indians – Policy Development Excellence

2014

Delbert Altaha, White Mountain Apache Tribe – Tribal Program Development

2015

Randy Ashley, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – Technical Excellence.
Dan Blair, Gila River Indian Community – Tribal Program Development

2010

Bishop Paiute Tribe: Dr. Toni Richards

2011

Navajo Nation EPA Radon Program – Tribal Program Development.
Joy Wiecks, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – Policy Development Excellence

2012

Brandy Toft, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe – Tribal Program & Policy Development

2007

Roxanne Ellingson, Walker River Paiute Tribe

2007

Southern Ute Indian Tribal Air Quality Program

2008

Dwayne Beavers (for former work with Cherokee Nation Environment Program)
Nez Perce Tribal Air Quality Program

2009

Forest County Potawatomi Community Air Resource Program.
Special Certificate given to Jeff Crawförd, Attorney General, Forest Co Potawatomi Community

CONNECT WITH US

Christopher Lee
Program Manager
Christopher.Lee@nau.edu

TAMS Center:
702-784-8264

Darlene Santos
Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Darlene.Santos@nau.edu

Your tax deductible donation supports ITEP’s programming efforts.
Please contact us if you would like to contribute to our endowment or for any additional information regarding donations.

Rebecca Stevens

Chair

Coeur d’Alene Tribe – Idaho

Program Manager/Restoration Coordinator
Working with the Tribe since: 2005

Rebecca is the Program Manager for the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department-Hazardous Waste Management Program. She also serves the role as the Restoration Coordinator with the Restoration Partnership. Rebecca has been working on water quality related issues for over 19 years. She represents the Tribe in the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site working with EPA while implementing their remedy for the Basin. She is also the Tribe’s Restoration Coordinator for the Restoration Partnership for which all Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) claims have been settled and on the ground restoration work has been underway since 2019. Rebecca continues to work with other Tribes on NRDA issues while coordinating with the US DOI, USDA, and the State of Idaho.

Rebecca is a proud member of the Tribal Waste and Response Steering Committee where she also serves on the Tribal Superfund Work Group and Advisory Council. Rebecca enjoys x-country skiing in the winter, summertime water sports, Frisbee golf, and spending time with her friends, family, and blue heeler. Rebecca is very honored to work for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and is proud to be a part of restoring natural resources in the Coeur d’Alene Basin.

Rebecca can be reached by e-mail at rstevens@cdatribe-nsn.gov.

National Tribal Forum on Air Quality

The National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ) aims to support tribal programs by fostering information-sharing and networking opportunities that are focused on building tribal capacity in air quality management. The event’s agenda is driven by tribal input and priorities, with a focus on increasing tribal engagement in air quality initiatives that are relevant to tribal communities across the nation.