Tribal Communities COVID-19 Response Funds
EDIT: This document has now expanded to provide sources for the Navajo Nation, the White Mountain Apache, the Hopi Reservation, and the 20 Pueblo Nations.
Background Info:
The best information sourced right now for distinct tribal nations affected by COVID-19 can be found on the UCLA American Indian Studies Center’s Latest Case Counts page.
https://www.aisc.ucla.edu/progression_charts.aspx
Because data and cases are always fluctuating, so are the numbers of cases per capita within different tribal communities. Nonetheless, tribal communities make up the most affected populations in the nation. Currently, the top five most affected places in the country are the White Mountain Apache, Pueblo of Zia, Pueblo of San Felipe, the Navajo Nation, and Kewa Pueblo.
Please, if you are able, donate. Share. Spread the word. Though they have been circulated before, many allies have only posted once, donated once, or only shared without donations.
Elders, young ones, our culture bearers, storytellers, knowledge keepers, medicine people, the immunocompromised… They’re all at risk. Natives have the highest rate of diabetes. On the Navajo Nation, 1 in 5 people have diabetes, meaning 1 in 5 people AT LEAST are immunocompromised. Our population of elders are largely those who preserve cultural and traditional knowledge, and when they die, our language, collective knowledge, stories, practices, die with them.
The tribal communities listed exist within extreme food deserts. There are only 13 grocery stores on the Navajo Nation (the largest reservation in the country), for example, to serve some 180,000 people, and 1 main grocery store on the Hopi Reservation to serve more than 3,000.
Background materials (DO YOUR RESEARCH and try to check your ingrained anti-Indigeneity. It is a part of “American” identity. Everything from “American” law to fashion is directly born from or piggybacks off racism towards Native peoples):
Navajo Nation Loses Elders and Tradition to COVID-19: https://www.npr.org/2020/05/31/865540308/navajo-nation-loses-elders-and-tradition-to-covid-19
Covid-19 is Sweeping through the Navajo Nation: https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-is-sweeping-through-the-navajo-nation/
Navajo Nation member describes impact of COVID-19: https://www.insider.com/navajo-nation-member-describes-coronavirus-impact-on-community-2020-5
White Mountain Apache Surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 Cases:
Context:
Centuries of systemic racism, maltreatment, oppression, anti-Indigeneity, federal government’s neglect= poor Indian Health Services, poor food networks, unpaved roads, little running water and plumbing in certain areas, racism from white bordertowns, and so much more that has worsened the effects of COVID-19 in tribal communities. Basically radio silence from the federal government for a MONTH also meant that tribal members had to deal with the impact of COVID-19 without federal funding. Tribal members and organizers, however, are working SO hard to provide relief for families affected by COVID-19 and to keep everyone safe. To donate to these relief efforts, please use the links below.
Funds to donate to:
These are grassroots funds and organizations because the Navajo tribal government has put in place curfews and are trying to curb grassroots relief groups. Those in charge of the tribal government are currently harming Navajo residents by trying to take credit for relief and trying to restrict grassroots groups, who have clearly done the most work for the longest period of time. To ensure tax-deductible donations/donation receipts, consider donating directly to these organizations instead of to @kinsalehues’s Venmo/Paypal.
Red $$ amounts indicate the amount already donated to these funds from @kinsalehues fundraiser; we encourage you to donate to these funds directly, too!
RUN BY DINÉ, HOPI, & LOCAL RESIDENTS:
Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund **please redirect donations elsewhere
($8000)
The largest grassroots relief fund right now, organized by Diné community members. They do constant deliveries of supplies, food, goods, aid.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/NHFC19Relief
Orenda Tribe COVID Response/ Dzil Asdzáán Command Center
($8990)
Spearheaded by Diné clothing brand Orenda Tribe, this response fund is a collaboration with NDN Collective to bring critical aid to those most in need on the Navajo Nation. They do daily deliveries.
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/ndncollective/campaign/OrendaTribeCOVID
ADABI Healing Shelter ($12k) + $8000
One of seven shelters on the Navajo Nation working to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault and helping victims to heal. They are in extreme need of donations because they have received no funding from the Navajo Nation tribal government since October 2019. They are hoping to stay running during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.adabihealingshelter.org/donate
Dr. Michelle Tom’s Cause for Navajo Nation to Fight COVID-19 ($12,053.89)
A Navajo family physician, Dr. Tom is working to meet medical supplies needs for medical staff and community members. This fund is accepting medical and non-medical supplies, and $$$ donations.
Dennehotso Families Covid-19 Relief Fund
($4516 to meet goal)
Grassroots collective started in part by Navajo chef Brian Yazzie with a mission to provide food and necessities to elders and families in need during the pandemic, focusing on Dennehotso, AZ and surrounding areas.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/dennehotso-families-covid19-relief-fund?sharetype=teams&member=4462262&ut
Internet for 100 homes on the Navajo Nation
($3490)
Native Innovation wants to bring high-speed internet to rural communities on the Navajo Nation.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/internet-for-100-homes-on-the-navajo-nation
Hopi Relief
($14,400)
Seeking funds for food, water, and personal hygiene products that can delivered to the Hopi Reservation (surrounded by the Navajo Nation).
https://ca.gofundme.com/f/hopi-relief
NavajoStrong
($12,000)
Founded by Bud Frazier (Diné), NavajoStrong has served over 200 families and continues to expand. They collect monetary and supplies donations and distribute them across the reservation.
https://www.navajostrong.com/get-involved
Yok’ Naawakinta
($1000 to meet goal)
Meaning “hoping or praying for rain,” this donation drive seeks to bring paper goods, cleaning supplies, and drinking water to residents on the Hopi Reservation. The drive’s biggest concern is water, because water sources on the Hopi Reservation have high levels of arsenic and other heavy metals.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/yok-naawakinta
Nihi K’é Baa’ (For Our Relatives) Mutual Aid
($14,500)
A collective made up of Indigenous people, undocumented migrant relatives, womxn, femmes, LGBTQ2Spirit relatives, volunteers, community organizers, frontline workers, land defenders/water protectors who are supporting those who need help through Indigenous mutual aid, food and water radical redistribution for the most vulnerable, pet/cattle food distribution, etc. Also asking for support and solidarity for long-term healing of damage caused by the fossil fuel industry and years of extreme resource extraction through sustainable projects, seed and food justice/sovereignty.
K’é Infoshop
($8500)-- directing people to Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief
A self-funded Indigenous community organizing space that hosts critical discourse and mutual aid towards the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples. They feed the unsheltered every Saturday morning, host talking circles, food bank with organic ingredients, hold workshops, build a public library, provide free secure internet access and security training, and anything else to engage our relatives in a healthy manner to critically analyze the state of Dinétah.
Diné Land and Water COVID-19 Mutual Aid
($2,437 to meet initial goal)
Uses its resources to find products to create homemade alcohol hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays, gloves and homemade face masks with filters. Focusing on “Sanders, AZ” and “Gallup, NM” areas of Dinétah.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/dine-land-and-water-mutual-aid
Protect Native Elders
($21,483.38)
Located in Dinétah (Northern area), Protect Native Elders provides essentials and supplies to elders in need.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-native-elders
San Carlos & White Mt. Apache Covid-19 Aid
($15,500)
This group delivers supplies and aid to the San Carlos and White Mountain Apache communities, as well as the Navajo Nation.
Shipping address for supplies to White Mountain Apache:
Mail to:
WMAT Tribal Treasure
Emergency Operations Center
PO Box 700
Whiteriver, AZ 85941
They’re seeking: Gloves, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, food boxes, disinfectant, rags, laundry soap, baby diapers, bleach, hand/liquid soap, bottled water, trash bags, paper products, dustpans, brooms, anything else necessary or helpful
Pueblo Aid:
Pueblo Relief Fund $20,000
Organized by the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), this fund meets the most critical needs of the 20 Pueblo Nations.
https://indianpueblo.z2systems.com/np/clients/indianpueblo/donation.jsp?campaign=42&
Laguna COVID-19 Relief Fund $7000
https://www.lagunacommunityfoundation.org/donate/
Organized by tribe, but NOT Navajo Nation (Navajo tribal government is actively suppressing grassroots relief):
White Mountain Apache Tribe COVID-19 Relief Fund
The White Mountain Apache are now facing the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in the country, tailed closely by the Navajo Nation. Donate below.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/white-mountain-apache-tribe-covid19-relief-fund
Three Sisters Collective $4,000
OTHERS (non-Diné or non-Native run)
Adopt an Elder
($4000; corporate donation match before switching donation tactics)
Donate $100 for loads of firewood for Diné elders to heat their home and cook their meals, $25 food certificates, $40 yarn bundles for weavers to make small rugs to sell. You can also purchase rugs by elders from their website and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the elders. Donation button is at the top of the page.
Navajo Water Project
It takes just 24 hours to bring clean, hot and cold running water to a Diné family; more than 30% of Diné residents still don’t have a tap or toilet at home. Navajo Water Project is operating during COVID-19.
https://www.navajowaterproject.org
FarmLink
Connecting farms with surplus foods to communities; they have been serving the Navajo Nation & other Indigenous communities recently!
https://app.mobilecause.com/form/Ey7k-g?vid=96pea
Supporting Indigenous artists impacted by COVID-19 & individual Diné families impacted by COVID-19 (groceries, basic necessities): $30,040.29
Total donated from fundraiser thus far (without matching): $190,000.56
From ADABI Fundraiser (separate): $12,025.32
Infographics:
This one is from Changing Womxn Collective’s page (@changingwomxn on IG); use on your story for this fund.
Below is one from the Navajo Times.
