Andrethia Bia-James

Biography

Andrethia Bia-James grew up on the Navajo Reservation near Red Mesa, Arizona. She is of the Red Bottom People clan and born for the Coyote Pass-Jemez clan, her maternal grandfather is of the Mud clan, and her paternal grandfather is of the Bitter Water clan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and an Associate Degree in Navajo Studies, Elementary Education and Liberal Arts. Andrethia has worked in a diverse range of settings, including art, education, law enforcement, and as a park ranger. She has admired the values and aims of the HEAL initiative since seeing other HEAL fellows bring empowering change to serve her community and the Navajo Nation. She has always been interested in social justice and community involvement. In Chinle, she volunteered at the food bank, family services, and at the hospital. Her hobbies include embracing the simple life of enjoying time with her family, traveling to new places, hiking, running, and painting landscapes.