In Memory of Michael David Niles
Michael David Niles, age 43, son of the late Philip Niles and Esther Niles, passed away May 23, 2011 in Owasso, Oklahoma. He was born November 8, 1967 in Whiteriver, Arizona. Mike, a Professor of Social Work, was a faculty member at Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, MO. As a former professor at Arizona State University, he was instrumental in the creation of the Indigenous Early Intervention Alliance, an organization focused on supporting indigenous children through culturally-based early childhood intervention; personally establishing scholarship opportunities for Native American students, and serving in various capacities to improve education for Native American children.
Survivors include his family in Oklahoma, Lisa, Brady, Halle, and his daughter, Hope, brother, Mark Niles, and sisters Barbara Karkula and Lori Harrison, as well as his mother. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 31, at 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Valley, 4101 East Shea Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona. Burial will follow immediately at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 East Shea Blvd., Scottsdale.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nauwich Foundation, Office of American Indian Projects, 411 North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 or to Native American Connections, 4520 North Central Avenue, Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85012.