Sitting in the Garden: Reflections on a Milestone Year

I sat quietly in the garden this morning, cradling a steaming mug of medicinal tea. The gentle aroma of desert herbs filled the air, grounding me in this moment of stillness amidst a whirlwind year. The garden—a sanctuary Greg and I have nurtured—feels alive with gratitude, reflecting the care and intention we've poured into it. Each leaf and blossom reminds me of life's interconnectedness and the roots we cultivate in our work and our communities.

Today marks my final event of the season,  and it is not just any event. It’s the fourth Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience I’ve produced this year, a celebration that has grown beyond my wildest dreams. We’re at capacity this evening with national, local, and statewide media and even a documentary filmmaker joining us to honor Native American Heritage Month. I’m particularly moved by the presence of Miss Indian Arizona Royalty, the Apache Crown Dancers, and a stunning native fashion component that highlights the artistry and resilience of Indigenous cultures.

 I reflect on the journey that brought me here. It feels like a lifetime ago that I was a wide-eyed boy growing up in rural Arizona, endlessly curious about the world. My mother, a nurturer and storyteller, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. She would point out the medicinal plants growing in our yard, teaching me how they could heal and nourish. Those lessons, shared over warm afternoons, laid the foundation for my passion for health and wellness and eventually led me to train as a Master Gardener specializing in arid desert landscapes. My MG training only confirmed what my ancestors already knew. We are nature, and the plant beings are our teachers. 

Later in life, as a young man in my early 20s, I was fortunate to apprentice  with Don Francisco, a Pasqua Yaqui curendero. From him, I learned to listen—to plants, to the land, to the wisdom passed down through generations. He taught me that healing is both an art and a responsibility, a lesson that continues to guide my work today. He passed many years ago, but his teachings and presence from beyond the veil still teach me every day. Throughout my life I have had the privilege of knowing, learning from and calling many Indigenous Medicine People friends and colleagues. 

My journey in the arts and cultural sector has been equally transformative. From my early days of dreaming about the stories I could tell to the vibrant tapestry of roles I’ve held as a cultural worker, each step has been a labor of love. Participating in the Condé Nast event in New York City is a professional highlight this year. Bringing Arizona’s Indigenous foodways to a national stage was both humbling and exhilarating—a testament to the richness of our heritage and the importance of sharing it widely.

And yet, it’s events like today that truly feed my soul. Seeing the joy and pride in the faces of our community members and witnessing the next generation discovering the depth of their roots—reminds me why I do this work. The Sonoran Desert has always been my muse, its resilience and beauty inspiring me to dream bigger and dig deeper.

As the garden breeze whispers through the leaves, I feel a profound sense of gratitude. For my team, for the elders and mentors who have guided me, for the audiences who show up to celebrate, and for this land, which holds us all. Today is not just an event but a culmination of love, labor, and legacy.

I really work and walk with some unique and amazing humans. This event is a culminating experience of all the "beauty" we leave in our wake. Here’s to the stories we tell, the paths we walk, and the roots we continue to grow together.

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