Yadira Caballero

Yá'át'ééh.

 

Yadira Caballero is of the Lók’aa’ Dine’é (Reed People Clan), born for the Naakaii (Mexican). Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Naasht’ézhí Tábąąhá (Zuni Edge Water Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Naakaii (Mexican). She is an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation. Caballero’s maternal family is from Yaaitiin on the Navajo Nation, and her paternal family is from Guanajuato, Mexico. Yadira is originally from Bidáá’ Ha’azt’i’ Tsékooh (Grand Canyon). This is how she identifies as a Diné (Navajo) and Mexican woman.

 

Yadira currently serves as the Program Manager for the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry at the University of Arizona, where she supports interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement across research, art, and the humanities. Her work focuses on fostering inclusive and innovative approaches to knowledge-making that connect academic and community perspectives. In her role, Yadira manages and administers office personnel, programs, and activities, and oversees the center’s budget and financial planning. She joined the Confluencenter team in fall 2018. Yadira is also involved in a new initiative exploring Indigenous humanities, which seeks to amplify Indigenous voices and epistemologies in global humanities discourse through relationship-building, dialogue, and ethical collaboration. She integrates her cultural traditions and worldview into her work, guided by the principles of Hózhó (balance and respect with oneself and others), K’é (interconnectedness and mutual support), and Sa’ah Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóó (a holistic framework for thoughtful process and harmony).

 

Prior to joining Confluencenter, Yadira worked with the Office of Academic Affairs’ Faculty Governance and the Udall Center’s Native Nations Institute. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Native American Foundation (SWNAF), which provides scholarship opportunities for emerging Native American leaders pursuing higher education.

 

Yadira holds an M.J. in Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa and a B.S. in Agribusiness Economics & Management from the University of Arizona. Balancing and living in two worlds can be complex, but holding on to traditional values and ways of life remains instrumental for Yadira. She is passionate about running and cycling, finding that running offers healing, strength, and a deep sense of connectedness to humanity.