OIEA Hosts Virtual Holiday Celebration for Tribal Providers
On December 9, 2025, the Office of Indian Elder Affairs (OIEA) hosted a virtual holiday celebration program to celebrate and thank managers and staff of tribal senior and adult day centers for their dedicated and compassionate work with elders and senior communities.
“We wanted to show our appreciation to the tribal providers who interact with our elders every day while managing the day-to-day operations at these tribal centers. We recognize that the job can be challenging and rewarding, too. So, within our monthly provider meeting, we held a virtual celebration that included messages from state and tribal leaders, tribal royalty, music, comedy, contests and donated prizes,” said OIEA Director Melissa Sanchez.
Over 40 tribal providers and special guests joined by Zoom, which included ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Emily Kaltenbach, who shared live opening remarks and a video message from Indian Affairs Department (IAD) Cabinet Secretary Josett D. Monette.
Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya joined the celebration live and shared her gratitude to the providers and encouraged all to continue supporting elders just as much as youth are supported. New Mexico State Representative Charlotte Little, Representative Michelle Paulene Abeyta, and Representative Joseph Hernandez sent video messages – each thanking the managers and staff for their commitments to tribal elders, the community’s most precious stewards of culture and traditions.
“It is through our tribal elders’ encouragement, leadership and example that we have strength in our paths forward for Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations,” said Director Sanchez. “At OIEA, we treasure, value, and respect our tribal elders and the contributions they have made to our cultures and traditional ways. We work to ensure tribal providers have the tools and resources to preserve the elders’ wellbeing.”
Billie Tohee, Executive Director of the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) – an OIEA partner – joined the program live to deliver updates about NICOA’s work and engagement in tribal senior communities in New Mexico and across the country. She invited tribal providers to connect with her staff for support and resources.
To liven up the virtual holiday celebration, musician and artist Adrian Wall from the Pueblo of Jemez tuned in live to perform two songs, and Navajo comedian James Junes got the audience hitting the laughing emoticon.
OIEA staff built a holiday background that showcased several donated prizes, including gift cards from Secretary Kaltenbach and the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF) consultant Cheyenne Kippenberger and her father Joe Kippenberger, who is the Director of STF Elder Services. Donovan Andy, Shiprock Agency Supervisor from the Navajo Nation Division of Aging and Long-Term Care Support, won the Festive Background contest; Sara Candelaria, Manager of the Pueblo of San Felipe Elderly Services Program, won the Holiday Headwear contest, with Rachel Weeker from K’awaika Senior Center getting honorable mention. Dionysia Pasquale from the Pueblo of Acoma Senior Center won a $200 donated gift card, too. OIEA staff also created and asked providers holiday-themed Units of Service questions for chances at more donated prizes.
Switching holiday headwear throughout the program was OIEA Program Coordinator and hostess, Antonella Harrison, who kept the event lively and engaging. “As an office that works directly with tribal providers, it was an honor – and fun – to bring smiles and laughter to them for a morning,” said Antonella.
Ending the virtual celebration were live messages from two inspiring young Native women – Miss Indian World Dania Wahwasuck and Miss Indian Rodeo Cajaun Cleveland – who shared heartfelt stories about lessons they learned from their grandparents and graciously thanked the providers for caring for the community’s grandparents.
Tribal providers include managers, cooks, drivers, case workers, and staff who care for and protect our tribal elders at tribal centers every day. They are subject matter and frontline experts. Providers build trust and bonds with elders and their families, making their service integral and impactful in tribal communities.