Across the state, Native American children are overrepresented in the foster care system, while there is a shortage of Native American foster parents. “If it’s a mom that can’t provide diapers or if there’s a young person that has a need for shoes, then we want to try to help support that need,” Manuel said. Today, she helps fill in gaps and provide resources for all Native American children. Ultimately, she says her work is about building safe, positive, and culturally sensitive homes for all Native American children, no matter who is caring for them. I want kids to come and feel like their sense of identity and culture is right there,” Manuel said.

---

Persons: Elisia Manuel, ‘, ’ ” Manuel, “ That’s, Manuel, Tecumseh, Elisia Manuel — Allie Torgan, ” Manuel, “, ’, ”, Allie Torgan, they’ll Organizations: Arizona CNN, Apache, CNN Locations: Sacaton, Arizona, Gila, American