Kayla Johnson

Kayla Johnson, whose Hopi name is Humihongsi, is from the Hopi Tribe and the San Carlos Apache Tribe. She is from the village of Mishongnovi and is of the Eagle Clan. Kayla is a first-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with an emphasis in Health Promotion.

Growing up on her reservation and witnessing the health challenges impacting her community sparked her passion for public health and strengthened her commitment to creating meaningful change within Indigenous communities.

Throughout her academic journey at the University of Arizona, Kayla has been actively involved with the Wassaja Center. She served as the Tribal Liaison for the 2024 Wičhóyaŋke Network Grant, helping build collaboration between Tribal Nations, justice stakeholders, and system-impacted individuals to develop culturally grounded resource guides aimed at reducing incarceration disparities among Indigenous families. She also contributes to the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP), which evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of a Tribally-led model by developing tools that measure outcomes through both Indigenous and Western lenses. In addition, she supports the Wassaja Oidag (Community Garden) Sustainability Grant, advancing Indigenous-led climate resilience and health initiatives through traditional land stewardship and sustainable practices.

Kayla deeply respects those who continue to live and practice their cultural ways and is committed to advocating for Indigenous communities by uplifting and strengthening Native knowledge systems. She strives to ensure Indigenous perspectives remain centered in public health efforts, contributing to the protection, continuation, and growth of Indigenous traditions and community well-being.