A Lawrence advocate for suicide prevention and mental health has earned an inaugural award celebrating support of Native American students.
Elwood Ott, Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, is the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Melissa Peterson Native Advocacy Award. The award pays tribute to Peterson for her work at the University of Kansas to strengthen relationships with tribal nations and increase visibility for Native American culture on campus.
A Haskell Indian Nations University alum, Ott said he wants to give back to his communities from his childhood in Tulsa through today. He said advocacy to him means “being a voice, providing a space, energy, for others to feel like they belong so that they can share their voice.”
“It’s nothing new in terms of what the adults and the Elders did for me when I was younger,” Ott said. “And even when I was a college student or a young adult, a lot of that came from Lawrence community members, Haskell staff, retirees that are members. They shared stories and told me what they dealt with and how they overcame it. And they showed up for me.”
The KU First Nations Student Association, host of the annual Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival, first presented the award to Peterson during a private reception in 2024.
Nominations opened in January, and then the powwow planning committee selected Ott.
“I’ve known Melissa for a long time,” Ott said. “She’s accomplished a whole lot. We’ve worked on projects together, so it was a whole lot of emotions of like a full-circle moment.”
Ott is a mental health consultant for tribes and several youth-serving agencies, offering them trauma-informed guidance and advocating at the state and federal levels for resources, he said.
The person who nominated Ott said he helps tribal governments develop actionable responses to community health issues.
“Elwood is a shining example of the dedication of empowerment found throughout Indian Country as he works to elevate tribal youth and communities for generations to come,” Ott’s nominator wrote.
Ott organized the Isaiah Ott “Born Ready” Basketball Clinic in his late 16-year-old son’s honor.
He said more than 200 kids participated in the 2023 clinic at Rock Chalk Park, and among them were tribal youth from Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and other states. They learned skills from a former NBA player and some current KU basketball players, but also discussed ways to regulate their emotions and look out for a friend in need, he said.
Outside of involvement with youth sports, Ott has been able to visit schools around the country as part of his advocacy. Sometimes he brings in pizza or helps plan field trips for the Billy Mills Middle School Intertribal Club.
From connecting with neighbors and building new relationships from existing ones, Ott has found himself in a natural mentor role.
“Sometimes it’s about just being a trusted adult,” Ott said. “I think about all the younger generations coming after me, like trying to help them see what they can accomplish or can do — give them a sense of empowerment.”
Ott will be recognized at the Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival, set for Saturday, April 12 at the Lied Center.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Get mental health help in Lawrence
These resources are available 24/7 if you or someone you know needs immediate mental health help:
• Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center: 785-843-9192; 1000 W. Second St. in Lawrence; trcdgks.org
• Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center: 785-843-9192; bertnash.org
• HeadQuarters Kansas: 785-841-2345; hqkansas.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988; veterans, press 1
• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator and Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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