About me
Ben Chavarria is from Santa Clara Pueblo and served as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Pueblo for 18 years. He currently serves as the Tribal Engagement Program Manager for the National Park Service, supporting Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve, Pecos National Historical Park, Petroglyph National Monument, and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. In this role, Ben works collaboratively with 38 affiliated Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations to strengthen government-to-government relationships through consultation, outreach, and meaningful engagement. His work focuses on advancing Tribal sovereignty and self-determination through collaborative stewardship, co-management, cultural resource protection, policy development, and the preservation of sacred landscapes and Traditional Cultural Properties. He is committed to fostering respectful partnerships that integrate Indigenous knowledge into land stewardship and resource management while supporting the protection of cultural heritage for future generations. Ben also works to empower Tribal youth through education, mentorship, and opportunities to engage in cultural preservation and stewardship. He is dedicated to building lasting relationships among Tribal Nations, federal agencies, and partner organizations, promoting collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility in caring for ancestral lands and cultural resources. “Learning is a never-ending and exciting adventure” is the motto that paves the way of Diane's life. She is a proud wife and mother of four boys who are from the Santa Clara Pueblo. With a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the Pennsylvania State University, she pursued a background in outdoor education for four years at Mesa Verde National Park, where her respect and appreciation of the Native American cultures originated. Then, she achieved a Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the New Mexico Highlands University. Currently, Diane is a Level Three certified K-8 teacher and a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). In addition, she earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership with an administrative license through Adams State University. Curriculum should be purposeful, and relevant material that students can connect to their identity and community core values. This philosophy of learning is what lead her to become a curriculum designer and facilitator of Native Literature and Indigenous Science curriculums.
