The hip energy of today's youth balanced with experience and wisdom
Ya'at'eeh and Loloma (greeting in Navajo & Hopi)
TribeAwaken.com brings together a tested entrepreneur with his children and family to build commerce, independence and positive revitalization for tribal communities . Chris, Shelby and Brittany, are Hopi and Navajo, from the Village of Hotevila/Kykotsmovi (Vernon & Becky Masayesva) and Cameron on their mom’s side and the community of Big Mountain/Tuba City (Marlene & Frank Bilagody) on their dad’s side. Joining the team is cousin Kaitlyn Benally, who resides within the former Bennet Freeze and serves as the executive writer/researcher for TribeAwaken. The children's immediate grandparents showcase honorable lineage of leadership: a former tribal Chairman and first tribal principal, a Council Delegate, a Chapter President, two founders of grass roots advocacy groups. Their great grandparents were sheep herders and dry farmers, medicine people, and participated in respectful inter-tribal trade.
Tony Skrelunas, MBA, Phd Candidate in Sustainable Development Education
Team lead singer
Chris Skrelunas
Vice President of Health & Happiness
Championing Tradition, Innovation, and Global Education
Tony Skrelunas, a distinguished member of the Navajo Nation, seamlessly blends Diné wisdom with modern innovation to empower his community and beyond. Raised by his great-grandparents on the sacred lands of Black Mesa, Tony's upbringing instilled in him the values that guide his work today. With an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in business, he is celebrated as the "godfather of the Local Governance Act" and a "Diné Economic Futurist."
Returning as the Economic Director of the Navajo Nation after a 20+ year hiatus, Tony brings a wealth of experience from directing a nationally recognized program at the Grand Canyon Trust and founding businesses in the just transition space. As a national leader in renewable energy advocacy, he has influenced policies such as the Biden administration's solar tax credit extensions.
Currently pursuing a PhD in sustainable development education, Tony aspires to be an academic who shares his insights on a global scale. His leadership includes creating Tribe Awaken and serving as a Trustee at Prescott College and RedRoadJourney.Org. His passion for success coaching and economic empowerment is evident in his work.
Tony Skrelunas's visionary leadership, academic pursuits, and commitment to his people inspire others to blend tradition with innovation, creating a legacy that fosters lasting success and sustainability worldwide.
Today’s youth need role models of positivity and happiness. Chris is a finance specialist at a home finance company. Chris has years of experience in food, beverage and hospitality, as a music writer and aficionado of health and fitness. He has played sports at super competitive levels and continues healthy living and coaching success and health. He is a student of good health, positive teaching, and achieving happiness.
Kaitlyn Benally - Executive Researcher and Writer
Kaitlyn Benally is a member of the Navajo Nation. She was born and raised in Tuba City, Arizona. Kaitlyn has completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Chemistry at Northern Arizona University. Her hobbies include working in her garden, reading, hiking, fishing, and camping. She says that "I try my best to live by this Navajo saying,": “T’aa hwo’ aji t’eego t’eya” which basically means “You can do it. It just depends on yourself.” Your efforts, how hard you work, your ambitions, it is all up to you to determine what you will achieve in life.
Shelby Skrelunas
Public Influencer, Blogger, and Fitness Coach
As a young adult, Shelby has completed 2 years of university education. Recently she achieved certification in fitness coaching. She is an artist and active in the pro rodeo scene with her professional bull rider and is our instructor of fitness and diet and blogs regularly about high level training methods for specific tribal sports such as rodeo bull riding. She also has a significant social media following and serves as a Public Influencer, Writer, and Fitness writer for Tribes LLC.
Brittany Skrelunas
Web Designer and Youth Success Influencer
Brittany is a recent graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in business marketing. She is active in fitness, healthy diet and positive motivation. She blogs about subjects of today's youth including cryptocurrency, successful youth, diet, and fitness.