MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greetings everyone, I hope this message finds you well. The Chamiza Foundation board met on June 11, 2026, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) for the second and final 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 language preservation, intergenerational exchange, storytelling, youth education & development, agriculture & traditional food ways, traditions & elements of ceremonial life, and environmental stewardship. We look forward to witnessing the accomplishments of these programs and projects. These projects are listed below.
At the Chamiza Foundation we have been busy planning and preparing for our upcoming Pueblo Symposium. The symposium will be taking place at the IPCC. So, after our recent board meeting our board was given a tour of the IPCC Campus, to better help us prepare for our upcoming symposium. Our symposium will take place on October 22nd and 23rd. As a reminder the purpose of this event, is as follows:
The Chamiza Foundation Pueblo Symposium is a crucial gathering for community members, leaders, stakeholders and past grantees to reflect on the Chamiza Foundation’s contributions and explore future needs of our Pueblo communities. Through structured discussions, panels, and interactive sessions, symposium participants will be empowered to identify challenges and develop solutions that benefit Pueblo communities moving forward. This event not only honors the past but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable future, ensuring that the voices of Pueblo communities are heard and valued.
Our excitement is growing as this event is fast approaching! For this event, direct invitations will be sent to Pueblo leaders, Pueblo Tribal Directors, and past awardees. Open registration will be available to interested Pueblo community members to attend this event as we get closer to October. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Below are photos from our last board meeting. This was the first in-person meeting for 4 new board members: Mr. William Riding In, Ms. Claire Elliott, Ms. Sophia Phillips, and Ms. Nina Swistel. It was not only Sophia’s first board meeting, but it was also her birthday. Claire, Sophia and Nina are the next generation of the Phillips family who will carry on what their grandparents started in 1989.
Additionally, we are progressively working on our Chamiza Foundation Legacy Film, which will debut at the Pueblo Symposium. Very exciting!
Sincerely,
Dr. Amanda J. Montoya
June 2026 Awardees
- Pueblo of Isleta- Ojos Ancianos Project
- Pueblo of Pojoaque- 2026 Tewa Language Symposium
- Pueblo of San Felipe- Kitishtya Intergenerational Cultural Knowledge Sessions
- Pueblo of Santa Clara- Kha’p’o Comic Con 2027
- Pueblo of Santo Domingo- Little and Big Language Revitalization Program
- Pueblo of Taos Warchiefs Office- Taos Pueblo Equine Health Clinics
- Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps-Acoma Traditional Farm Corps
- Santa Fe Indian School Leadership Institute- Brave Girls Program
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center- The Mosaic of Voices
- Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area- Red Willow Basket Weaving Intensive
- Riversource- Connecting Youth with Traditional Knowledge
- Yakanal- Taste of Memory
