Atava is inspired by the plants and guided by her elders, ancestors and dreams. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to a Mexican/Navajo/Hungarian mother and a Polish father. She has called home Ohlone territory Huichin (Oakland, California) for almost three decades.

Atava is a well loved teacher and has taught hundreds of students. She is the founder of Ancestral Apothecary School, which was born from her dream to create a more diverse community of herbalists and healers in the Bay Area. She is also professionally trained as a clinical herbalist, flower essence practitioner, curandera, and dreamworker.

In 2017, Atava and her school were recognized by the American Herbalist Guild for Notable Work Supporting Diversity, Equity and Justice in Herbalism. In 2020 Atava relocated to the desert where she continues to see clients both in person and online. Her first book, The Curanderx Toolkit, was published in July 2022.