REPRESENTING NATIVE INTERESTS AND THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE

Featuring Diane Humetewa, First Female Native-American Federal Judge

November 2022

Diane Humetewa is a distinguished Hopi woman who has made history in the United States. Her legal career includes work both in the private sector and the government representing tribal interests and serving as a resource on federal Indian law and natural resources.  In 2014 Diane Humetewa was appointed to the federal court bench in Arizona becoming the first Native American Woman to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge. She was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate in a 96-0 vote. At the time she was appointed, Diane Humetewa was the only Native American serving in the federal judiciary. 

Even before her appointment to the federal court bench, Diane Humetewa was a first in other respects. SIn 2007, she was the first Native American woman to be presidentially appointed as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in 2006. She served in this position till 2009. 

Prior to 2009, Diane Humetewa served as a lawyer in various aspects, often representing native interests. From 1993 - 1996 she served as Deputy Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs before transitioning to serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Arizona. As Assistant U.S. Attorney, she prosecuted a range of federal crimes which included violent crimes that took place in Indian Country, Native American cultural crimes, and archeological resource crimes. When she was promoted to Senior Litigation Counsel/Tribal Liaison, she helped create relationships between this office and Arizona’s Native American tribes. 

Outside of her work in Arizona with the Native American population, Diane Humetewa helped establish one of the first federal victim services programs in the United States and helped supervise the U.S. Attorney’s Victim Witness Program. 

Diane Humetewa has served as a trusted resource on legal concerns related to Native American interests as well as the broader population’s interests. She has testified before Congress and the U.S. Sentencing Commission on a variety of concerns. Diane Humetewa also took on the role as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the Native American Advisory Committee, and has served as an Appellate Court Judge for the Hopi Tribe.

Not only is Diane Humetewa a passionate advocate for Native American interests, she is also dedicated to equipping future leaders and generations of advocates. Before her appointment, as a  U.S. District Court Judge, she taught at Arizona State University School of Law as well as the National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College. In particular, she taught Pending and Declined Prosecutions in Indian Country: Coordinating with U.S. Attorneys, a course that was specialized in providing tribal criminal justice officials with the necessary information to determine what cases must be, should be, or do not need to be referred to federal authorities. 

Throughout her career Diane Humetewa has been dedicated to advancing justice for not only the Native American population, but our country as a whole. 

SHARED HEARTS FOR THE ORPHANED OF UKRAINE

Featuring Clarke Stoesz, Founder,  and  Kris Stoesz, Executive Director, Ukraine Orphan Outreach

November 2022

Long before the world’s attention turned to Ukraine and the war that has changed the lives of many, Kris and Clarke Stoesz of Ukraine Orphan Outreach were working to change the lives of Ukrainian orphans. They believe strongly that Christians have an obligation to do as James 1:27 says and to care for the orphans. 

Clarke and Kris Stoesz serve as the Founder and Executive Director of Ukraine Orphan Outreach, a non-profit organization in Northern Colorado that was created by adoptive parents and other individuals who have a heart for Ukrainian orphaned children. The organization’s mission is to reach out to older orphaned children who are often forgotten in the adoption process in order to help them step into their future and purpose. Ukraine Orphan Outreach accomplishes this mission by creating awareness of orphans in Ukraine and providing orphans with supplies and opportunities. A network has also been established by Ukraine Orphan Outreach to support those who are in the process of Ukrainian adoptions. 

Even before starting Ukraine Orphan Outreach, Clarke and Kris were passionate about adoption and served as orphan advocates with a variety of organizations. Eventually their love and passion for serving the orphaned led them to adopt children from Ukraine who were in need of a home and a family. In 2003 they brought home their first adopted daughter Natalie who was three at the time they adopted her. Two years later, in 2005, they adopted their son Luke who was 7 years old at the time and his 9 year old sister Rhya. Other orphans from Ukraine have either found a home with Clarke and Kris or have been touched and impacted by their work and the work of Ukraine Orphan Outreach. 

During the three trips to Ukraine during the adoption process for these children, Clarke and Kris were made aware of the situation Ukrainian children are in. Only about 10% of Ukrainian orphans are actually without parents, most orphans in Ukraine have been given up by parents who are either unable or unwilling to care for them. When one of these children turn 16 they are left on their own without any family or social support. These children then become victims of injustice, such as sexual exploitation to survive, or become perpetrators in order to survive.

Ukraine Orphan Outreach serves as a vital voice not only for Ukrainian orphans, but since the beginning of the war, for vulnerable Ukrainians impacted by war. They have built partnerships with Churches in the United States to support churches in Ukraine which help through prayer, sponsoring a van and driver to help with evacuation of orphans and families, hosting fundraisers to provide for food and medical supplies, and providing grant funds to cover costs of sending aid and operating in Ukraine during this time. 

Whether in service for Orphans in Ukraine, their own adopted children, or supporting efforts in Ukraine during the war, Kris and Clarke serve as vital and effective advocates for justice.