Light kisses the top cliffs in the Grand Canyon

Daryn Akei Melvin

Grand Canyon Manager

“Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

– Greek proverb

Daryn formerly served as chief of staff to the Hopi vice chairman and has worked in various executive capacities for the Hopi Tribe, including serving as a policy advisor and a member of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Cultural Subcommittee.

Daryn is from the Village of Sitsom’ovi and belongs to the Patkingyam (Water Clan). In addition to his work with the Hopi Tribe, Daryn is a dedicated farmer and Hopi cultural practitioner who has worked in numerous fields, including medicine and academia.

Daryn received a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in education and curriculum development from Prescott College, and is currently a doctoral candidate in linguistics and cognitive science at the University of Illinois.

Plateau favorites

  • Nuvatukyaʼovi (San Francisco Peaks)
  • Wupatki National Monument
  • Hopitutskwa (Hopi Lands)
  • Ö̀ngtupqa (Grand Canyon)

Hobbies

  • Reading
  • Language research
  • Traveling
  • Art

Little-known facts

  • I have two first names (one in Hopi and one in English)
  • I am conversant in five languages
  • I competed in the Junior Olympics

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