Talking Stick Award for Excellence

This cultural award is presented annually by the Talking Stick/Casino Arizona Charitable Donations Committee and is intended to recognize, honor and reward a Native American individual who has set an example as both a scholar athlete and productive citizen for his/her community's and school's youth to emulate:

2022 Mattias Benally ~ Seton Catholic (Gila River Apache Tribe/Navajo Apache)
2021 Quinlan Popham ~ Estrella Fountain Hills
2020 Aayden Dodd ~ Desert Vista (Mescallero Apache Tribe)
2020 Denver Seaton ~ Flagstaff High School (Arizona Navjo)
2019 Coleman Owen - Higley (Choctaw Nation-Oklahoma)
2019 Thomas Gaitan - Poston Butte (Navajo)
2019 - Kyle Ricard Boone - Carl Hayden (Navajo - Teec Nos Pos)
2018 Tate Austin Speaker - Perry (Pawnee - Creek Oklahoma)
2018 Jordan B. Huey - Mingus Union (Yavapai-Apache)
2018 Christian Shanidiin White - Page (Navajo - Kabieto)
2017 Jacob Williams - Casa Grande Union Cougars (Navajo)
2016 Kenneth Dinenizho Wilson - Verrado Vipers (Navajo - Red Lake)
2016 Marcus Mannie - Westwood Warriors (Navajo - Ganado)
2015    Joey R. Smith - Sunnyslope Vikings (Apache - Zuni)
2015    Peter A. Salcido - Salt River Eagles (Maricopa--Pima Salt River)
2014    Dallyn Clay Despain - Heber Mogollon Mustangs (Navajo)
2014    Dillon J. Nockideneh - Page Sand Devils (Navajo-Lechee)
2013    Ethan Ram Hendricks - Chandler Hamilton Huskies (Tohono O'odham Nation - Gauka Village)
2012    Drew A. Mahooty - Chandler Basha Bears (Zuni-Zuni Peublo, NM)
2010   Dustin Jake Sagg - Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa Redskins    (Navajo - Teec Nos Pos)