Native American psychologist will speak at UNM-G

Independent Staff

Dr. Terry Tafoya

GALLUP — Dr. Terry Tafoya, a Native American psychologist, will speak at the University of New Mexico-Gallup at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, in the Calvin Hall Auditorium.

Tafoya's keynote presentation will be "Hands, Heart and Head: Cooperative Approaches to Education in a Changing World." A family therapist and bilingual educator, Tafoya incorporates basic elements of clinical techniques and learning acquisition in working with students, colleagues, and communities. Utilizing Native American storytelling, slides, and laughter, he explores how cultural and cognitive processing can impede or enhance working effectively with diverse communities. Tafoya explores issues with a light-hearted approach to dealing with diversity on an experiential as well as intellectual basis.

Tafoya, who is of Taos Pueblo and Warm Springs heritage, was trained as a traditional Native American storyteller. He has used American Indian ritual and ceremony in his work as a family therapist at the Interpersonal Psychotherapy Clinic, part of the University of Washington's School of Medicine in Seattle. He is also on the clinical faculty there. Washington State has designated him as the first formally recognized Native healer for its Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist Program. In addition, he has served as a consultant and expert on various issues, including human sexuality, gender, substance abuse, bilingual education, and others. He is also a co-founder of the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center.

UNM-Gallup's Native American Student Club (NASC) is sponsoring the presentation, with the Student Senate and UNM-Gallup as co-sponsors.

"Dr. Tafoya is a dynamic motivational speaker on family issues, education and substance abuse prevention," said Kimimila Simms, president of NASC. "This is a unique opportunity for our students and the community to meet this world-renowned Native American psychologist, and we encourage everyone to attend."

The lecture is free to the public. For more information, contact Kimimila Simms at 863-7527.