Diana Yazzie Devine Explained

Diana Yazzie Devine
Birth Place:Lansing, Michigan
Education:University of Wisconsin
Years Active:1975-2023
Employer:Native American Connections
Children:3
Father:Dan Devine

Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine is an Arizona-based nonprofit professional. She led the nonprofit Native American Connections for over forty years.

Biography

Devine was born in Lansing, Michigan. As a child, she moved frequently due to her father, Dan Devine's, career as a football coach.[1] [2] She was the middle of seven children.

Devine attended the University of Wisconsin, where she interned on the Ojibwe reservation. She lived and worked there for five years, during which time the Indian-Self Determination Act was enacted. Witnessing the changes that the act gave Devine an understanding of tribal sovereignty and government.

As a part of her work, Devine traveled multiple times to Arizona. In 1979, Devine was introduced to a new residential treatment facility, Indian Rehabilitation. She agreed to help it until a leader could be hired. Under Devine's leadership, Indian Rehabilitation transformed into the nonprofit Native American Connections. As the organization's president and CEO, she greatly grew the organization to support Phoenix's homeless population.[3] She was also active in the founding of the Native American Community Service Center and other services like housing programs. One of the housing communities is named after Devine.

Under Devine's leadership, Native American Connections developed 1,000 affordable Phoenix residences and opened twenty-three Valley projects to provide aid and social services. Greg Stanton noted that "No one has changed as many minds about affordable housing ... in Arizona."[4]

Devine was also influential in transforming the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center. This former American Indian boarding school became a place for Native Americans from many tribes to come together.

To support her work, Devine earned her MBA from Arizona State University in 1999.[5] She attended the school while running the Native American Connections.

Devine retired in 2023.[6]

Personal life

Devine raised three children as a single mother.

Awards

References

  1. Web site: DIANA YAZZIE DEVINE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT/SOCIAL CHANGE . April 17, 2024 . 48 ARIZONA WOMEN ARIZONA’S MOST INTRIGUING WOMEN.
  2. Web site: 2017-10-21 . 'Dede' pioneered services for Native Americans – published in the Republic – Arizona Interfaith Movement . 2024-04-18 . en-US.
  3. Web site: Dean . Jesse . 2023-02-23 . CSH Appoints Phoenix Leader of Native American Connections, Diana Yazzie Devine, to its National Board of Directors . 2024-04-18 . CSH . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2023-03-19 . Dede Devine reflects on more than 4 decades helping Phoenix-area residents in need . 2024-04-18 . www.azcentral.com . en-us.
  5. Web site: AZFoothills.com . Women Who Move the Valley 2010 . 2024-04-18 . AZFoothills.com . en-US.
  6. Web site: Dokes . Jennifer . October 10, 2023 . 2023 Special Honoree: Dede Devine puts a face on the term 'lasting legacy' .
  7. Web site: PAST MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONOREES . April 17, 2023 . Valley Leadership . April 25, 2024.
  8. Web site: 2017-05-01 . Devine to keynote college convocation Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions . 2024-04-18 . publicservice.asu.edu . en.
  9. Diana Yazzie Devine - Golden Rule Community Award 2016 . en . 2024-04-18 . www.youtube.com.
  10. Web site: Distinguished Fellows Morrison Institute for Public Policy . 2024-04-18 . morrisoninstitute.asu.edu.
  11. Web site: NETWORK . Staff USA TODAY . 2023-03-17 . Meet USA TODAY's Women of the Year . 2024-04-18 . www.usatoday.com . en-us.
  12. Web site: Diana (DeDe) Yazzie Devine . 2024-04-18 . AWHF . en.

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