sacrdnet.org

• Woody is a proud member of the Dine People (Navajo Nation). Born and raised in Tolikan, Arizona, He has dedicated his life to serving his community. Woody is passionate about preserving indigenous culture and language and encouraging younger generations to do the same. He served 2 terms as a Navajo Nation Council Delegate and 1 term as a Local Chapter President, and has always strived to make a positive impact.
• After 12 years at Navajo Nation Legislative Services and 3 years as the Executive Director of Utah Dine Bikeyah Organization, an indigenous non-profit organization, He has joined S.A.C.R.D. as its Executive Director. In his free time Woody can be found ranching and farming in his hometown of Tolikan.

Sam Anderson is deeply honored and grateful to contribute to the work of S.A.C.R.D, a mission close to his heart. With a passion for giving back and fostering community, Sam is committed to supporting the sacred sacrament, nurturing its cultivation, and sharing its transformative value. He believes in approaching it with integrity, respect, and a deep sense of purpose. His goal is to help create a supportive, informed community that values and sustains this sacred tradition for future generations.

As the Director of Cultivation and a founding member of S.A.C.R.D, Anthony brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to the mission. With a background as a skilled Welder/Fabricator, CNC Machinist, and Production Manager, Anthony has seamlessly translated his proficiency into the art and science of cacti cultivation. Over the years, he has honed his craft, emerging as an experienced cultivator with a profound evolving love for the sacred Peyote.

Anthony’s journey into the world of cacti began in his youth, nurtured by his father—a dedicated cacti cultivator of over 60 years. Much of Anthony’s knowledge is rooted in the lessons passed down from his father, forming the basis of a profound, personal, and spiritual connection with Peyote. This sacred relationship sparked a passion that transcended cultivation, evolving into a commitment to confront the challenges facing Peyote. In 2021, driven by a deep-seated desire to effect real change, Anthony played a pivotal role in founding S.A.C.R.D.

His role within S.A.C.R.D stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication.

Anthony seeks to cultivate understanding through education and make a substantial contribution to the conservation of Peyote’s natural habitat. Today, Anthony continues to share his knowledge and passion, often spending time with his father discussing cacti and nurturing these beautiful plants together.

• He is a member of the Dine’ Nation (Navajo Nation) his from the Mud Clan and is a Boarding School veteran. He fluently speaks English and Dine’ and his Grandfather is from the Yucca Clan, and Grandmother is from the Bitter Water Clan and his Father is from the Many Goat Clan.
• Arnold is Dine Peyote Robeman and a member of the Azee’ Bee Nahagha’ Of Dine’ Nation, (ABNDN) he was traditionally raised on the Navajo Reservation. Arnold also was President of the Tolikan Community ABNDN for eight years and has now been Treasurer for the past two years as well as a Community Leader (Tolikan Chapter Vice-President) for the Tolikan chapter.
• On a professional level Arnold worked for the Four Corners power plant from 1985 to 2017 and he is currently retired. His position at the Power Plant was Senior Environmental Scientist.
• He joined S.A.C.R.D. to help us make sure Indigenous voices are heard in all our future endeavors and believes that cultivation conservation and education are keys to helping save the sacred Peyote plant.

• Richard Pablo is a proud member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and grew up and currently lives in the Chukut Kuk District of the T.O. Reservation. He is fluent in English and T.O. and feels strongly about making sure the younger generations learn and covet this language so it never gets lost.
• Richard is a Boarding School vet and attended Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City Utah from 1981 to 1984.
• After getting sober in 2010 he decided to better himself and attended the T.O. Community College. This sparked a fire in him to help his people and was a representative for the school board, ran the Sustainable Recycling Initiative, and was part of the Himalayan Culture Committee from 2013 to 2017. As someone known for the strong belief in keeping his culture, language, traditions and ceremonial ways intact, he was asked to speak at the Native American Institute Of Art in 1985, and at the EPA Conference in 1986. Being known for his strong foundation as a recovering Alcoholic he was asked to speak at the SAMHSA Convention several times to give his experience, strength and hope and to do all he can to help other Native Americans break free from alcoholism and drug addiction. Aside from this Richard was also an integral part of the T.O. Language Restoration Project from 2014 to 2016 where he worked at the Himdag Ki Museum doing archival work for language translation from 2018 to 2019.
• Richard joined forces with S.A.C.R.D as part of our Vision Advisory Board to help us save Peyote and keep it off the endangered list and make sure Indigenous voices and votes are heard in every project we undertake.

• Elijah Francisco, a 28-year-old member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, is deeply passionate about plant medicine and holistic healing. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Elijah attributes much of his path to the influence of a powerful mother and a magical grandmother.
• At a young age, Elijah was introduced to the wisdom of plant-based remedies through his grandmother, Audelia, who seemed to have a solution for every ailment—from sunburns to toothaches. She instilled in him the understanding that nature provides a pharmacy right in our backyards, where medicine grows freely. Her teachings sparked Elijah’s lifelong love and curiosity for the powerful world of plants. Elijah also acknowledges his father, who opened the doors to a rich spiritual perspective.
• From an early age, Elijah was taught that plants and sacred instruments hold living spirits within them—conscious forces capable of profoundly affecting life when approached with sincerity and humility. It was through his father that Elijah was introduced to the sacred medicine of grandfather Peyote.
• With a deep connection to this medicine, Elijah chose to join the S.A.C.R.D. team after learning about the desecration of Peyote’s homeland. The news deeply moved him, igniting a desire to contribute to the protection and replenishment of this vital plant species. Elijah views this effort as a responsibility to ensure the survival of a sacred medicine that has supported humankind for countless generations.
• Elijah extends his gratitude to the entire S.A.C.R.D. team for their dedication and hard work in preserving Peyote for future generations. He wishes blessings of love, good health, and happiness to everyone involved in this vital mission.

…