“Specialty programs such as the one presented by Ms. Merrill will be welcomed.”

Anderson Thomas,
Acting Director Ramah Navajo Behavioral Health Department

“There is a great need for progressive programming that combines traditional understanding with proactive western therapeutic approaches.”

Kenny Sanchez,
Substance Abuse Counselor, Pine Hill Schools

“I’m very supportive of this project to give our youth as well as adults strength and wisdom in the Navajo Traditional Healing.”

Howard Adeky,
Medicine Man

“Basing a program on these values and working through a Navajo medicine man to teach these cultural and spiritual principles is an excellent approach. I am in support of Oso Vista Ranch and their proposal.”

Cecelia S. Whitetail Eagle,
Community Member

“The Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development-Eastern Regional Business Development Office supports the application of the Oso Vista Ranch to the Tobacco Cessation and Prevention grant program for funds to provide educational and cultural training programs at the Oso Vista Ranch, near the Ramah Navajo Reservation. We have met with Margaret Merrill and other board members of the Oso Vista non-profit organization, and feel they are providing a service that will only benefit the Ramah Navajo Community and its people.”

John Largo,
Economic Development Specialist Eastern Regional Business Development Office
The Navajo Nation

“Traditional medicine men, local Ranah Chapter officials, adjacent communities, students/teachers/administration staff from Pine Hill School, Pine Hill advocates, businesses, Cibola County Commissioners, City of Grants elected officials and Cibola State Legislators are in support of the Oso Vista Ranch projects.”

Ray Begaye
State Representative for District 4
New Mexico House of Representatives

“Ms. Merrill will take her knowledge, experience, and understanding of the band of Ramah Navajos in western New Mexico and create a program that will incorporate her extensive background win personal growth and development training and combine it with the spiritual training of a traditional medicine man.

Through ritual, ceremony and counseling, the interconnected approach will engage young Navajo men and women as well as adults and help them return to health from their place of addiction. Ms. Merrill has spent more than 20 years in the Ramah community teaching its children and working with the adults, especially with members of the local school board.”

Conroy Chino
Secretary State Of New Mexico
Department of Labor