MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greetings everyone, I hope this message finds you well. The Chamiza Foundation board met on June 11, 2021, for the second board meeting of the year. The board met to discuss applications and determine awards. We received 16 applications, 12 were awarded grants. The awarded grants were focused on intergenerational education, youth education & development, Pueblo history, environmental stewardship, arts & crafts, Pueblo governance, agriculture, Pueblo architecture and COVID-19 Emergency Recovery Support. We look forward to witnessing the success of these programs and projects. These projects are listed below.
On July 8, 2021, I participated in a virtual panel discussion that was hosted by the School of Advanced Research. The program was entitled, “Showing Our Strength: Resilience and Compassion in the Indigenous Southwest”. It was moderated by New Mexico Foundation’s President and CEO JoAnn Melchor of Santo Doming Pueblo. The program presented a selection of Native-led organization leaders discussing perseverance and resilience throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I spoke about the support that the Chamiza Foundation provided for our Pueblo communities and my role on the Native American Relief Fund Advisory Committee. The link for the presentation is located below. Check it out and share!
Additionally, I wrote an article in the June/ July Indigenous Solutions Edition of the Green Fire Times, which illustrates the resiliency and commitment of five programs/projects that were supported by the Chamiza Foundation in March of 2020. I hope you will take the time to read the article to learn about the remarkable work that is happening in our Pueblos. Click here to access this article.
We are not out of the woods quite yet my friends, so please continue to be safe and follow safety precautions, especially in heavily populated areas. Wishing you all the best!
Sincerely,
Dr. Amanda J. Montoya
SENSES OF PLACE
Showing Our Strength: Resilience and Compassion in the Indigenous Southwest
The School for Advanced Research (SAR), in partnership with Thornburg Foundation, recently presented Showing Our Strength: Resilience and Compassion in the Indigenous Southwest. Moderated by New Mexico Foundation President and CEO JoAnn Melchor, the program presented a selection of Native-led organization leaders discussing perseverance and resilience throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussions and presentations were recorded live and may be watched by clicking the YouTube video link here. Learn how six organizations came together to support their communities, how indigenous culture and historical patterns were affected, and how Native American Relief Funds were used to support Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations in crisis in this informative video.
Speakers on the panel were:
⦁ JoAnn Melchor, moderator, President and CEO, New Mexico Foundation (Native American Relief Fund Advisory Committee Member)
⦁ Brian Vallo, Governor, Acoma Pueblo
⦁ Karl Duncan, Director, Poeh Cultural Center, Pueblo of Pojoaque
⦁ Olivia Roanhorse, Director, Roanhorse Consulting
⦁ Joannie Romero, Executive Director, Laguna Community Foundation (Native American Relief Fund Advisory Committee member)
⦁ Dr. Amanda Montoya, Executive Director, Chamiza Foundation (Native American Relief Fund Advisory Committee member)
The New Mexico Foundation, in collaboration with local and national funding partners, nonprofits, and government partners, launched the Native American Relief Fund in April 2020.
Support to this fund provided emergency grants to tribal communities and non-profit organizations to bring food, water, and other emergency supplies to some of the hardest-hit families and communities impacted by COVID-19 across the Navajo and Apache Nations, and Pueblos of New Mexico.
Native American Relief Fund has raised $1,990,053 of the $3 million goal. Eighty-seven grants have been made for a total of $1,773,304.
Please help the Native American Relief Fund to reach this fundraising goal and continue to support Native American communities in New Mexico.
Click here to donate
June 2021 Awardees
Pueblo of Laguna– Ba’k’athrode-“How do you like your oven to cook?” Project
Pueblo of Sandia– Story Time with Elders Program
Pueblo of Santa Clara– Flowering Tree Youth Project
Pueblo of Santo Domingo– Tribal Historic Preservation Office
Pueblo of Santo Domingo– Trees Water People Project
Pueblo of Taos– Oo-oo-Nah Art Center
Pueblo of Zuni– Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
All Pueblo Council of Governors– Primary Documents in Pueblo History and Governance Project
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps – Ancestral Lands Farm Corps
SFIS Leadership Institute– Brave Girls Program
The Getty Conservation Institute–TERRA 2022:Sustaining and Supporting Indigenous Stewardship of Earthen Architectural Heritage World Congress Scholarships