People

When Kim Etsitty sails into Southeast Greenland this year, then maps the seafloor between Hawaii and Guam, her students at Navajo Pine High School will be along for the ride.

Dr. Shane Benally, a Diné optometrist who splits his practice between Santo Domingo Pueblo and Santa Fe, has been named 2026 Young Optometrist of the Year by the New Mexico Optometric Association.

A Shiprock woman who helps families in the Navajo Nation get veterinary care for their pets – by driving them to appointments, speaking to elders in Navajo and running the area’s only pet food pantry – has been named the 2026 More Than a Pet Community Hero by Humane World for Animals.

Dominic King of Navajo Mountain turned to walking in 2018 while trying to steady himself after a divorce. He kept going, moved into running and now is preparing for the Zion Ultras 100-mile race on April 11.

Brothers Sage Benally and Rivers Benally spend much of their week on the ice, chasing pucks, sharpening drills and making long drives to the rink.