Diana Yazzie Devine | |
|---|---|
 Diana Yazzie Devine speaking with attendees at the grand opening of Homebase hosted by Native American Connections in Surprise, Arizona. | |
| Born | |
| Education | University of Wisconsin |
| Years active | 1975-2023 |
| Employer | Native American Connections |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
|
Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine is an Arizona-based nonprofit professional. She led the nonprofit Native American Connections for over forty years.
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. [1]
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. [1]
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. [3] Under Devine's leadership, Indian Rehabilitation transformed into the nonprofit Native American Connections. [1] As the organization's president and CEO, she greatly grew the organization to support Phoenix's homeless population. [1] [4] 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. [1]
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." [5]
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. [5]
To support her work, Devine earned her MBA from Arizona State University in 1999. [1] [6] She attended the school while running the Native American Connections. [6]
Devine retired in 2023. [7]
Devine raised three children as a single mother. [1]
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