The American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) Elder-in-Residence is a community elder that works toward fostering the cultural, social, spiritual, academic, and intellectual experience of the American Indian and Alaska Native students at the University of Utah. The Elder-in-Residence strives to meet the unique needs for Native American students to create a welcoming climate, respect, and value of Indigenous perspectives, spirituality, life ways, and to create a safe space for indigenous students. Overall, the Elder-in-Residence furthers the American Indian Resource’s mission and vision to:

• Celebrate Indigenous knowledge,
• Validate Indigenous practices and ways of knowing,
• Reinforce American Indian identity and affirm American Indian students,
• Raise awareness of Native culture with the university campus, and
• Foster relationships between American Indian communities and the University.

This year the American Indian Resource Center is pleased to welcome and introduce Nino Reyos, the inaugural Elder-in-Residence at the University of Utah. Nino works closely with the center’s programming such as the CIRCLE Program, the University of Utah Pow Wow, AIRC Graduation, and more.

Nino Reyos

Elder-in-Residence

Nino Reyos is a Certified Social Worker who focuses on substance abuse and mental health treatment. He is a member of two Native American Tribes- Laguna Pueblo and Northern Ute. Nino practices some of his Native American Cultural ways.  Nino currently works as a CSW at Sacred Circle Behavioral Health, he had worked at the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, and at Medication Assisted Treatment Programs. Nino graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Nino enjoys doing cultural activities such as making Native American flutes, playing the flute, and enjoying the outdoors.