Celebrating Dean Barlese: Recipient of the Lozen & Dahteste Warrior Award

We are delighted to share some exciting news! Dean Barlese has been selected to receive the Lozen & Dahteste Warrior Award at the Creating Change 2025 Conference. This award recognizes his dedication to healing, cultural preservation, and his leadership within Indigenous and Two Spirit communities.

The Lozen & Dahteste Warrior Award honors the legacy of Lozen and Dahteste, Two Spirit Chiricahua Apache warriors who fought to protect their people and their land. It is given to individuals who embody their spirit, selflessly uplifting their communities and honoring the past while working to build a better future.

Dean’s work—preserving Paiute traditions, protecting sacred lands, and advocating for Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people—exemplifies the values this award represents. We are so pleased to see his efforts recognized in this way.

Join the Celebration

Dean will receive this award at the Creating Change Conference on January 22, 2025, at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

This conference is an opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the work being done across communities to foster equity and justice. If you would like to attend and join in celebrating Dean’s achievement, you can find more information about the event at Creating Change.

Congratulations, Dean! Your work inspires and uplifts us all. ❤️