Originally published on February 15, 2021.
Pfawnn Eskee is a Navajo with the distinction of being Bitahnii, Todichiinii, Kinlichiinii, Taneezahni. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has dedicated herself to improving the lives of her fellow citizens in Montezuma Creek through the Utah Navajo Health System, working with 16-26-year-olds .
A graduate of Arizona’s Red Mesa High School and of SUU with a Psychology degree, (after transferring from Northern Arizona University) she says the institution allowed her to gain confidence in her ability to be an independent woman.
“I learned the importance of finding a support system to help guide your abilities and successes,” she says. “I also tapped into my inner courage to believe in myself and trust my decisions. I understood clearly that setting a goal and working toward it with all your soul has great outcomes.”
In addition to providing counseling services in a wide spectrum of needs among patients who seek sessions with her based on confidence and trustworthiness, she created and operates a website called WeAreNavajo.Org, to reach more people and educate on mental health.
She says that the website has now become a hub to find COVID-19 assistance. The Navajo Nation has been affected by COVID since early March, and at one point had the highest rate of COVID-19 infections per capita among any state in the United States and the world.
“I have taken the primary role of helping our Navajo families defeat this virus by finding a way to gather food and necessities and delivering it to them,” she says. “Many of us had to step up and figure out a way to help everyone who is struggling. ‘We Are Navajo,’ with suggestions and encouragement of the community, began taking in donations to make care packages. We have delivered endless care packages and received nothing but gratitude and support.”
