Born and raised on the Navajo Nation, Jaclyn Roessel is proud of who they are and where they come from. As a self-professed lovetarian, Roessel believes in the power of love as both a restoring balm and catalyst for transformation. K’é and love are a core part of the guiding constellation steering Jaclyn’s life. In this teaching of “radical kinship” it is understood that through our relationality to each other we are lovingly responsible to one another.
Jaclyn founded Grownup Navajo, a company dedicated to sharing how Indigenous teachings and values can be a catalyst for change in community. Through cultural justice and equity trainings and consultation, they works to advocate for the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing into non-profits, arts & culture organizations and governments agencies.
Roessel integrates perspectives of healing justice and aspects of their Diné perspective into their practice as a certified liberatory kinship coach.
Jaclyn is a published writer, curator and cultural arts producer. An alumnus from Arizona State University, they were the inaugural recipient of the Arizona Humanities Rising Star Award, which is given to young professionals whose work elevates the importance of humanities in the community. They were featured as one of Phoenix 100 Creatives You Should Know.
Roessel has held many honors including being one of eight co-founders of Native Women Lead, a 2017-2018 National Art Strategies Creative Community Fellow and a graduate of the Native Entrepreneurs-In-Residence program. Jaclyn has served on the New Mexico Governor’s Council on Racial Justice. Jaclyn was named by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, as a member of the 2023 class of “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipients. A prestigious award bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and their community.
Jaclyn is motivated by the power of the matriarchs in their bloodline and a vision of a more just and radical future for all K’é. She lives with their partner and family in the Pueblo of Tamaya.
She is Táchii’nii (Red Running into the Water People). Born for the Kii yaa’ aanii (Towering House People). Her maternal grandfather is of the Tódikozhí (Salt Water clan) and her paternal grandfather is of the Monteath Clan from Scotland. A proud mother, wife, auntie, sister, daughter and granddaughter, Roessel’s life is a journey in the practice of speaking sacredness fluently.
Grownup Navajo 