The UCLA Native community is deeply saddened by the loss of Philip Hale, a beloved member of both the Native Bruin family and the larger Native American community in Los Angeles. We affectionately called him “Phil” within our community, and his presence will be greatly missed. Phil, who was from the Navajo tribe and belonged to the Red House Clan (Kinłichíí’nii), born for the Bitter Water Clan (Tódich’ii’nii), who attended UCLA with a focus in American Indian Studies. He was widely recognized for his kind demeanor, dry sense of humor, and willingness to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Phil could often be seen participating in the annual pow-wow organized by the UCLA American Indian Students Association (AISA), singing alongside his family’s Southern Drum group called “Hale and Company.” While at UCLA he also served as the Pow-Wow director for the 28th annual UCLA Pow-Wow. Phil was actively involved in various pow-wows and community events within the local Native American community in Southern California.
Phil dedicated himself to supporting the Native American community in Southern California especially in education. He initially enrolled at UCLA in 1985 and completed his studies in 1989. However, after a hiatus of twenty-one years, he resumed attending classes in 2011 with the help of the Tribal Learning Community & Educational Exchange Program. As a result, he was able to rejoin UCLA in the fall of 2012. Prior to his time at UCLA, Phil spent over 15 years working in the education department of the Southern California Indian Center as a WIOA Mgr/Education Director, helping students achieve their educational aspirations. He also served as a parent advisor committee member advocating for continued education. Phil provided guidance to students and families through inter-tribal youth councils and served as a Grant Advisor at LAUSD Title VI Indian Education Program. During his time at UCLA, Phil collaborated with the American Indian Recruitment (AIR) and Retention of American Indian Now (RAIN), programs led by students at UCLA focused on advocating for Native representation and ensuring that students had access to the necessary resources for their success The Native community at UCLA is truly grateful for Phil’s impactful contributions.
His legacy will continue to inspire, and his presence will be deeply missed. Our condolences are with the Hale family during this difficult time.