Lenny Foster, Navajo Nation tribal member and Nathan Strong Elk, Southern Ute tribal member were each presented with the award designation as “Ambassadors for Peace,” on June 23, 2024, by the Universal Peace Federation, an international and interreligious network of individuals and organizations dedicated to achieving world peace. 

Nathan Strong Elk, Jr. started to run Native American sweat lodge ceremonies in the Southern Ute Detention Center in the Spring of 2010.  He started his work on a Doctor of Education from Fielding Graduate University during this time when he was the Acting Director of the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum.   

Strong Elk was passed the Native American Church Fireplace and became a roadman in June 2012 near Arroyo Hondo, N.M. by Robert Eagle Hawk and the late Alden Naranjo, Jr., who passed him his official paperwork for the Southern Ute Native American Church shortly thereafter.  Strong Elk has conducted numerous ceremonies in Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, New York and on the Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo Reservations. 

Strong Elk helped build a sweat lodge at the San Juan County Alternative Unit and conducted ceremonies there and at Totah Behavioral Health Center in Farmington, N.M. He also served as a program director and spiritual counselor and advisor for the Navajo United Methodist Center.  He taught anger management at the Southern Ute Detention Center when he was a spiritual advisor for the Peaceful Spirit treatment program.   

He also taught Ute language for a short time at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy and at Ignacio High School and has held numerous titles such as Registered Landman (AAPL) and Juez Commissionado by the State of New Mexico. 

Lenny Foster is the Spiritual Advisor and Director of the Navajo Nations Corrections Project and has cared for over 1,500 Native American Inmates throughout the U.S. in various federal facilities.  Foster has a long history with the American Indian Movement. 

Both Foster and Strong Elk are active Sun Dancers and Native American Roadmen.