Name: Tona & Mateo

City: Phoenix, AZ

Brain Injury: TONA AND MATEO are Hunkpapa Lakota Tribal members of the Standing Rock Lakota Nation from Ft. Yates, North Dakota.  They have lived in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale, Arizona for 17 years.  Mateo sustained a TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) at 5 months old, caused by SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME.  They decided to participate in the Unmasking Brain Injury Project to explain how cultural teachings and practices have created the support needed to manage a life with TBI.

Explanation of mask: 

TONA’S EXPLAINATION OF HER MASK AS A CAREGIVER.  Turquoise is her favorite color and stone.  Her mask has the other half of the heart shape to represent her love for Mateo.  The HEART SHAPE is surrounded by buffalo tracks to represent the protection provided to buffalo calves by their mothers.  Tona has mastered the skill of utilizing her INNER WARRIOR STRENGTH (which every parent of a child with a disability has, but may not realize) to effectively advocate for Mateo as she is teaching him this skill to use for himself now that he is an adult.  There have been several unfortunate incidents experienced by Tona and Mateo when “professionals” (school and medical) demonstrated disrespectful and sometimes unethical behavior.  There were separate IEP meetings where a Principal and an elementary teacher both lost their temper and yelled at Tona and Mateo.  Tona and Mateo never yelled back because they understand that their actions represent their ancestors.  From these experiences, Tona taught Mateo that adults behaving badly was a lesson for him to learn how not to act.

Tona’s mask has a BRAID OF SWEETGRASS on the side because she has witnessed the POWER OF PRAYER AND CEREMONY in the remarkable progress that Mateo has made with living each day has a TBI survivor.  Tona also frequently smudged Mateo for his own protection and well-being before he went to school each day (especially during 7^th grade) and when he came home from school as well.

The half of the LAKOTA STAR DESIGN on Tona’s mask represents the same acknowledgement as the one on Mateo’s mask.  There is a SCAR AND A TEAR to represent the healed physical/emotional wounds and GRIEF/LOSS both Tona and Mateo have experienced as a result of TBI, respectively.  Even though they occurred in the past, they are still part of the journey, and it was during those dark times that the most significant GROWTH AND STRENGTH WAS DISCOVERED.

In Lakota, the word “WAWOKIYA” means “TO GIVE FREELY” and help others with out expecting anything in return.  This is the example Tona sets for Mateo with the hope that he too will continue to live his life demonstrating this fundamental teaching.  The 5 TIPS on Tona’s mask represent the work that she currently does, providing Special Education Advocacy services to Native families and students. The BEADS around the edge of the combined masks represent the COLLECTIVE POWER AND IMPORTANCE of each moment in life and are a reminder that they are a gift from Creator, NOT TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

MATEO’S EXPLAINATION OF HIS MASK AS A TBI SURVIVOR.  Mateo graduated from Westwood Hogh School in Mesa, Arizona in May 2015 with 10 years of perfect Attendance and on the Principal’s Honor Roll.  The colors of his high school were blue and orange, which he used as the main colors of his mask.  Mateo chose to use a HEART shape to connect the two masks to represent the BOND between caregivers and survivors, because both lives are greatly affected bu his TBI.  Within the heart are the colors of the 4 directions of the MEDICINE WHEEL and each one has a meaning and specific teachings about HOW TO LIVE LIFE in emotional, spiritual, social, and physical balance.  These cultural teachings have provided guidance to Mateo throughout his life and are a strength when new challenges emerge.

Mateo was in Special Education classes during elementary school.  About one month into 7^th grade he told his mother that he did not like his classes and that the teacher left them alone and he said it felt like “someone put him in a crib ad forgot about me.” This was not the educational experience his mother wanted for him so they fought the system and he was able to attend regular classes with his non-disabled peers. Mateo’s mother told him that it would not be easy and he would have to put in extra time and effort to bridge the gap between the Special Ed classes and the regular curriculum. His hard work paid off and he was always on the Honor Roll.

Mateo chose to include a BUFFALO on his mask because animals provide valuable teachings.  The buffalo faces snow storms on the plains and walks into and through them, which gets it through the storm faster than if it stayed in place.  Mateo has used this teaching in his own life many times when learning new skills, facing racism, discrimination & bullying, and it has helped him remain focused on his goals.

The CAT PAW PRINTS represent his two fur children, they provide entertainment and are emotional support cats.

The WAVES represent the powerful element of water-water is life and nothing stops it because it always finds a way around, under, over or through any obstacle to reach its destination.  Mateo went though many years of occupational and speech therapy and NEVER GAVE UP!

Mateo is now 22 years old and a full time college student majoring in Graphic Design & Theater at Scottsdale Community College.  Mateo has become an ADVOCATE for Native youth, using his voice to help others, and is a member of the Arizona Youth Leadership Forum and has participated as a delegate, staff member and executive board member.  He is the only Native youth to be invited to Partners in Leadership disability advocacy training program.

He has the LAKOTA STAR to represent his connection to his ancestors.  He was taught that he comes from generations of STRENGTH and to live his life in a way that makes his ancestors proud and honors the sacrifices they made during their lifetime, with his generation in mind.