I Want To Live - Biography

Arnold Thomas is a member of the Shoshone-Paiute Nations. Raised and educated on the Duck Valley Reservation of Nevada and Idaho, he was recognized early on as an outstanding high school athlete, and was being prepared to play collegiate sports. The possibility of a lifelong goal to represent his people in the professional arena looked promising when suddenly tragedy overtook his young life and forever changed his future.

First he lost his father to suicide, and then faced an all-consuming battle with depression and substance abuse.  His dreams and goals shattered, He tried to join his father by placing a high caliber hunting rifle under his chin, pulling the trigger He found something worse than death and despair. As the survivor of horrific trauma, He was rendered totally blind, unable to verbally communicate and at the age of 18, He began a new life's journey.  After countless surgeries and procedures, much rehabilitation and finding a power greater than himself, He completed college and obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in 1999. 

Arnold utilized ancet ceremonies to assist him in his healing. Over the years he has become a vessel of sacred inspiring work. Over the years he has worked with thousands of people, young and old alike In the United States, Canada and Europe, teaching, speaking and counseling with agencies, schools and institutions, both public and private sectors on the State, Tribal and International levels.

From 2004 to 2014, he conducted Traditional Ceremonies for the Salt Lake City Veteran’s Medical hospital, during this time he developed respected healing ceremonies for healing veterans. During the last several years he Received National certification as the first Clinical Chaplain from the American Indian Tribal Faith traditions. He has fostered relationships and offered healing across the Globe as a motivational speaker, Chaplain and Spiritual Guidance counselor and was recently ordained by traditional Elders as a “Holy One”.

As a Native American Tribal Spiritual leader of Traditional Healing Arnold combines personal experience with critical research data to convey his message, addressing important, pertinent issues while lovingly teaching by example with an unpretentious authority. He has been featured in National and International Media including National PBS and currently is part of the forthcoming PBS feature film series, HEALING THE Warriors HEART, a history of meritorious service among Native American Veterans of Foreign war.