Shynoke Ortiz, MCRP

Tribal Affiliation: Diné

Title: Positive Directions for Native Health Program Coordinator

Pronouns: She, Her, They

Bio:

Shynoke Ortiz is Diné and originally from an area on the Navajo Nation a few miles west of Gallup, NM called Tsézhiní (black rock) or Twin Buttes. Her clans are Kinyaa'áanii (Towering House clan), born for the Táchii'nii (Red Running into the Water People clan). Her maternal grandparents are the Kinłichii'nii (Red House clan) and her paternal grandparents are Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People clan). She is the Program Coordinator for Positive Directions for Native Health at the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc. under the Community Health Education and Resiliency Program.

Shynoke received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of New Mexico in Native American Studies with two minors in Navajo Language & Linguistics and Community & Regional Planning. In 2016, she has reached two major life goals of finalizing the adoption of one of her children through the Navajo ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) Program and earning her Master of Arts in Community & Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture & Planning. Their pronouns are she, her, they.

Shynoke has lived in Albuquerque for 17 years, and her background is in community planning with much of her work being done in collaboration with native communities across New Mexico. Her passion is working with indigenous southwest communities to help improve the quality of life. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, farmer’s markets, art shows, arts and crafts markets, pow wows, feast days, trying new restaurants, drinking tea with her daughter, and spending time with her partner, their two children, their two dogs, her extended family, and in-laws in San Felipe Pueblo. Shynoke enjoys learning new skills and is open to suggestions of constructive criticism.

Certifications: Coming Soon!