Board Member
Hometown
I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was raised with my parents and siblings.
What was your favorite meal or dish that your family would make?
We would make Navajo tacos and homemade pizza.
What was the most challenging experience you faced as a child?
As a child, my parents had always been an advocate for my siblings and me. When a cultural misappropriation occurred at school, my parents educated the school administrators and teachers. Now as mother, I continue to advocate and educate on Navajo cultural beliefs and customs in school.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a child, and how has it influenced your life today?
My parents, Howard and Beverly Benally instilled the importance of community service. As a child my parents led by example as a volunteer in the community. Over the years, I have continued to give back to my community. Now as a mother, I lead by example and teach my children the importance of community service.
What was your favorite hobby or extracurricular activity as a child?
As a child I love to run. As an adult now, I continue to run and participate in race events.
Biography
Ms. Stephanie Benally is a member of the Diné Nation. Her clans are Red Streak People born for Bitter Water, her maternal grandfather is Mexican People clan, and paternal grandfather is Red House. Stephanie is the Native American Specialist at Utah Foster Care, which serves Utah's children by finding, educating, and nurturing families to meet the needs of children in foster care. Ms. Benally works daily to educate state child welfare workers, judges, attorneys and guardian ad litems on the importance of placing Native American children in kinship and foster care placements to ensure they have a connection to their families and culture.
As an advocate for Native children in care, she believes when they are placed in Native foster families, they thrive because they will continue to be surrounded by cultural stories, traditions, humor, and food. This is in keeping with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) that keeps Native children within their community in hopes of retaining their culture and traditions. Stephanie currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her family.
