MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well. The deadline for the second and final round of applications for 2026 has passed. Our board will meet on June 11, 2026, to review applications and decide on awards. I will announce the recipients in next month’s newsletter.

The foundation has been engaged in several important initiatives. As mentioned, we are currently planning a “Pueblo Symposium”, this is scheduled for October of 2026. This event aims to engage Pueblo leadership, both past and present awardees, as well as former and current board members, and Pueblo community members to discuss the impact of the Chamiza Foundation since its inception. This event will be taking place at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on October 22^nd and 23^rd of 2026. Save the dates announcements will be going out soon!

Also, in a previous newsletter I announced that we are in the process of creating the first-ever “Chamiza Foundation Legacy Film”. We chose to work with “No Reservations Productions”, headed by Mr. Jonathan Sims of Acoma Pueblo. The film is well on its way. The film will debut at the Pueblo Symposium in Fall of 2026. We are very excited about this endeavor and cannot wait to share it with all of you.

On May 20-22nd, I attended the 3rd Pueblo Convocation hosted by the SFIS Leadership Institute and the All Pueblo Council of Governors. The Pueblo Convocation is a rare convening that brings together hundreds of Pueblo leadership, elders, youth, and community members. This convocation focused on language, education, family, art, law & governance, economic development, community development, health, environmental protection, and legislative initiatives. Historical convocations have also been instrumental in shaping major educational initiatives like the Tribal Remedy Framework. Additionally, this event honored both the Santa Fe Indian School and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as they were celebrating their 50^th anniversary’s. It was an honor to be invited and to serve as a co-chair for the “Community Development” session that focused on “Building Our Human Capital” in our Pueblo communities (see photos below).

Additionally, below, you will find announcements that we were asked to share.

And lastly, it’s great to see so many graduation announcements on social media. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026! Wishing you all the best 😊

Sincerely,

Dr. Amanda J. Montoya