Speakers Bureau
Utah Indigenous Peoples
Click on a speaker below to watch videos
Taylor “Cheii” Begay
Youth Knowledge Keeper, Indigenous Educator
Taylor “Cheii” Begay is a Youth Knowledge Keeper for the Navajo Nation located in the Four Corners. He founded The Cheii Show, a talk show aimed to build connections among young Indigenous while also educating non-Indigenous about Indigenous culture. He performs Indigenous dances in the Pow-Wow circuit as well as for students on college campuses.
Andrea Hales
Podcast Host, Tribe of Testimonies
Andrea began learning more about the traditions of her Navajo heritage as an adult. During this learning process, she has felt inspired to produce a podcast called Tribe of Testimonies, which captures conversations with Native Americans who are also faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has provided her a unique perspective about diversity among Native peoples. Andrea lives in Bluffdale, UT.
Ruth Young
Music Teacher
Ruth Young is San Carlos Apache and grew up in rural Utah near Ephraim. She is now a music teacher at a public charter school. She faced being stereotyped by her peers as she was growing up, including being called a “Dirty Little Indian.” She wishes her peers understood ways to be respectful to people who are different from them. She also wants students to understand that Native people are not extinct. This is a view students often gain from history books. Native people drive cars and go to the grocery store, just like other Americans. Ruth lives in South Jordan, UT.
