Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives and Tribal Adaptive Organization, two non-profits dedicated to promoting health and wellness among young Native Americans, have announced the winners of the fourth Tribal Adaptive Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
The two organizations introduced this scholarship in 2021 to honor a top male and a top female student-athlete with a physical disability. Since then, the award has celebrated excellence, determination, and the spirit of adaptive sports in Native communities.
Although adaptive sports programs at the college level have grown nationwide, physically and mobility-impaired Native American student-athletes remain underrepresented. However, Eve’s Fund and Tribal Adaptive hope these annual awards will change that. Through this recognition, they aim to inspire Native youth with disabilities to participate in adaptive sports and to pursue college programs that support their athletic and academic goals.
Recognition
The awards celebrate the students’ hard work and perseverance in overcoming obstacles, both as athletes and as scholars. Moreover, they highlight the power of resilience and determination in redefining what’s possible for young people with physical disabilities.
The 2025 awardees have shown exceptional commitment, excelling in both academics and athletics. In addition, they have demonstrated strong leadership potential within their communities. One recipient is a high school student, while the other is a non-traditional college student. Together, they serve as inspiring examples for others to follow.
Each student will receive a $1,500 scholarship from Eve’s Fund and a custom, hand-crafted beaded medallion created by Tribal Adaptive Organization. As a result, they will act as ambassadors for the missions of both organizations—spreading awareness of adaptive sports across Indian Country and beyond.
Female Student-Athlete
The 2025 Tribal Adaptive female student-athlete honoree is Ari Hernandez, a Mixteca high school sophomore from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who attends Atrisco Heritage Academy. Ari was born with a condition that causes joint and muscle stiffness from the waist down. She has been playing competitive wheelchair basketball for the past seven years. Ari excels in math classes and hopes to attend a college that offers top-notch adaptive athletic opportunities and an excellent academic program for her chosen field of study.
Diné Athlete & Scholar
Derek Parrish is the 2025 Tribal Adaptive male student-athlete honoree. The 34-year-old from Sanostee, New Mexico, is a Southwest Minnesota State University junior. Derek sustained a vehicular injury, caused by a driver in another car, that resulted in paralysis below the waist. A versatile athlete, Derek has played competitive wheelchair basketball for eight years and enjoys mono skiing and adaptive mountain biking. Derek’s post-graduation goal is to be a gym teacher in the Navajo Nation school system. Derek, who is Diné, is also a talented hobbyist artisan, specializing in Native beadwork.
Awards Reception
Noah Hotchkiss, founder of Tribal Adaptive Organization, will present the awards at a reception to be held at the organization’s residential training camp for advanced wheelchair basketball in Kirtland, NM.
Congratulations to these resilient Tribal adaptive student athletes who have overcome immense obstacles to pursuing and successfully working toward their scholastic and athletic goals.
About Tribal Adaptive Organization
Tribal Adaptive Organization is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2015 by then-16-year-old Noah Blue Elk Hotchkiss. Its Mission is to use sports as a tool to improve the health and Wellness of Native Americans with physical disabilities. For more information, visit www.tribaladaptive.com.
About Eve’s Fund
Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives is a community-based 501 (c))(3) organization promoting hope and wellness for Native American youth. The late Robert M. Crowell, MD, and Barbara Crowell Roy founded Eve’s Fund in 2005 in memory of their daughter, Eve Erin Crowell. Over the past twenty years, the organization has developed strong community partnerships and created literacy, injury prevention, and education programs that have touched the lives of over 79,000 Native children and young adults and their families. For more information, visit www.evesfund.org.
