With the approach of “For Natives, By Natives,” Thundermaker Cultural Recovery is comprised of people from different Native American nations and Native American allies. Recovering and practicing cultural traditions comes from the understanding of cultural roots, and with various backgrounds, the Thundermaker Cultural Recovery team is committed to assisting in the healing and unification of communities through cultural practices.
James Funmaker
James Funmaker is a registered member of the Ho-Chunk Nation located in Wisconsin. He currently works the Cultural Group Facilitator and Spiritual Therapist for the Tohono O’odham Nation located in Southwest Arizona. He began his career 35 years ago working with Indigenous children and families in the Public School Systems in Arizona. James Funmaker is a Spiritual Leader and Sundance Chief within the ceremony community and continues to work in the Substance Abuse field, working with Indigenous men and women for 25 years.
Theresa Funmaker
Greetings. My name is Theresa Funmaker. I currently work with women on a culturally ceremonial capacity, teaching women how to come back to their traditional self by learning to be respectful by coming to ceremonies representing oneself and their family in a respectful way. For the past 20 years, I have been learning and sharing how to represent myself to walk my truth, to walk with humility and compassion. To have an open heart and an open mind to continue to enlighten others and myself.
Jason Carrasco
Jason Carrasco is a Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist in the state of California. He is currently employed by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. He has extensive experience in residential, outpatient, and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. He has facilitated treatment services including assessment, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention, consultation, education, and mental health therapy services for individuals and families with co-occurring disorders. Jason is Yaqui Indian and has walked the “Red Road” for over the last 20 years. He helps to facilitate numerous traditional Lakota, and California bear ceremonies with the Southern Door Lodge in East Los Angeles.
Aimee Carrasco
Aimee Ismerio-Carrasco is a Xicana, born to Mexican immigrant parents. She is a bilingual Associate Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist in the state of California. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for the past 4 years serving undocumented communities in a variety of capacities including crisis intervention, and mental health therapy for children, adolescents, and families. She is deeply committed to Indigenous ceremonies and believes everyone should be connected to their cultural roots.
Arrow Funmaker
Arrow Funmaker is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk nation from Black River Falls Wisconsin (Bear Clan). He has been working in the Behavioral Health field for the past 11 years. He started out as a Cultural Programming Consultant for a substance abuse treatment center out of Tucson, Arizona, where he began facilitating cultural based programming for Native clients. He also has experience working with children from group home settings, where he implemented cultural programming for youth. He currently serves as Cultural Program Specialist and consultant for various recovery programs based in Arizona and continues to further his passion for working with tribal members in recovery.
Cheyenne Garcia
Cheyenne Garcia is an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, in Parker Arizona. He is of Mohave, Hualapai, Mexica and European descent. Mr. Garcia has an A.A.S. in Tribal Natural Resource Management from Northwest Indian College and a B.A. in Environmental Outdoor Education from Western Washington University, both schools in Bellingham Washington. Mr. Garcia is currently the Project Administrator for the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve. The Tribal Preserve consists of a greenhouse and plant nursery where local Native seeds and cuttings, from the surrounding area, are gathered and grown for restoration projects around the reservation. Mr. Garcia has experience working with Tribal youth and has worked with the Native American Fish & Wildlife’s Summer Youth Practicum in Evergreen Colorado for several years as a counselor and instructor. He is passionate about protecting and preserving the environment and believes that an empowered and informed people is the key to healing the world around us.
Hunter Eary
Hunter Eary, Wᾳᾳkejahuuga, is an enrolled member of the Thunder clan, of the Ho-Chunk Nation, and actively involved in the AA and sober communities. He is the President and Co-Owner of Overall Remodeling Prescott, LLC. & Overall Moving AZ, LLC. He has over 15 years in the residential construction industry and 10 years in Owner Operating. He has completed multiple years in Higher Education in a University and Technical school, while acquiring several rental properties. Hunter started his first business at the age of 22 and has continued to build and lead several small businesses. Recently, his world has collided with the Nonprofit world, and he has become invigorated with a new sense of purpose and hope.