EMPOWERING THE LIVES OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE PORTLAND AREA
SUMMER 2015
OPPORTUNITIES FLOURISH IN SPRING
1. NAYA’s Early Childhood programs are culturally-specific for kids ages 0-6 and families. Chxi San Playgroup and Head Start classes support growth and learning, while family focused programs empower parents with tools for child development, such as Parents As Teachers. Read more about our programs page 2. 2. Youth and Elders Honoring Ceremony is a time for community to honor our Elders and celebrate the accomplishments of our youth and young adults. This year, students graduating all grade levels prepared a small statement and stood in front of friends and family to be recognized for their hard work. Congratulations to the Class of 2015! 3. Your $10 monthly donation could be $240 for NAYA, impacting more than 10,000 people with culturally specific programs and services. You can support the work NAYA does by becoming a monthly donor. Thanks to our friends at Bank of America, every new monthly donor will have their donation matched for the rest of the year. Visit nayapdx.org/blog to read about monthly giving.
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4. Generations had an exciting victory after youth, Elders, friends, and allies came together to tell the PPS Board to invest in the Native community. A unanimous board decision supported moving foward with the housing portion. Predevelopment and planning is happening for the Early Learning Academy and Community Longhouse. Visit nayapdx.org/generations to learn more.
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5. The ECA Luncheon was a huge success thanks to our wonderful sponsors and donors. This year, Wells Fargo, Oregon Lottery, United Way, and the Twiss Memorial fund contributed to gifting scholarships to ECA students. Visit page 5 and our Facebook photo album to see photos from the event. 6. Native Connect is back! The job and event website highlights opportunities for the Native community and is a great way to stay updated on the latest happenings in Portland. Posts from trusted friends and partners highlight great ways to get involved, find jobs, and stay connected. Go to nativeconnectpdx.org to view opportunities.
7. Spring Break camps enjoyed nice weather to play Native games, create art, and stay active and fit outside. If you missed Spring Break Camps, you can participate in NAYA’s Summer camps by visiting nayapdx.org/summercamps. See page 4 to look at the fun from Spring Break.
NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
SPOTLIGHT ON YOUTH AT TALENT SHOW
NAYA YOUTH, ELDERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PERFORM AT NAYA’S GOT TALENT
Community members displayed their wide array of talents in front of family and friends, singing, dancing, and performing slam poetry.
Youth, Elders, staff, and community members stepped on stage to share their musical abilities, dance moves, and artistic forms of entertainment. Elder Frank Alby, Inupiat, started off the evening with his infamous karaoke singing, inviting others to join him on stage. NAYA youth were the stars of the evening. There was an abundant amount of adorable, smiling, and sometimes timid kiddos. Peggy Sue Angus danced, twirled, and spun around the stage as she sang to Frozen’s Let It Go. Even NAYA’s accountant, Karol Johnson, shared her musical talents by singing and playing the guitar. Emcee and Youth Advocate Clay River asked the crowd to participate by writing a short sentence about what they love about NAYA. The responses turned into a performance, reiterating the community’s voice into a poetic message. At the end of the night, judges selected Jordan Warren as the winner for his incredible dance moves. There is definitely no shortage of talent at NAYA.
A CHILD’S FIRST TEACHER IS A PARENT
BY SHARI LACHIN, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM ANALYST
NAYA’s Family Services department continues building programs for Early Childhood Education that develop school readiness for children and empowers parents with tools to support their child’s educational success. Early Childhood programs like Chxi San Playgroup have paved the way for growth and innovation. Parents As Teachers (PAT) is built on the belief that a child’s first teacher in life is their parent. Through home visiting, group connections, and community engagement, families are ”empowered even more to get a hand up and not a hand out,” says participant Jessica Hoffman. Early Childhood programs set children on paths of success and uplift the entire family. Parents As Teachers is funded by the Portland Children’s Levy. For more information about PAT visit our website nayapdx.org/PAT. 2
Roberta Ortiz, Lakota/Shoshone, plays with her son Ukaih, Lakota/Shoshone/Apache, in Chxi San Playgroup, helping develop stronger connections and parenting skills.
NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
YOUTH RALLY FOR IDA SAVINGS
BY RYAN PARKER, IDA PROGRAM MANAGER
ECA students and NAYA staff went to Salem for the day to support the Oregon IDA (Individual Development Account) Initiative at “Assets Opportunity Day.” The day offered IDA program providers and participants the opportunity to speak to the legislature about renewing the IDA tax credit (House Bill 2011). IDAs are a matched savings account that Oregonians can open (depending on eligibility) to save for post-secondary education, start a small business, or to put money down on a new home! ECA youth Anthony Hill-McCoy advocated in Salem for IDAs
Youth educated our legislators on reasons why they that help him save money for college. should renew the IDA tax credit. Our ECA students were especially active at the rally, Anthony Hill-McCoy led the crowd in rally cries encouraging people to get excited about this opportunity. Our youth participate and gain practical skills learning about a culture of savings, budgeting and goal-setting, and being accountable for the program requirements. The trip to Salem helped our students see the impact of saving and allowed them to advocate for their future.
GENERATIONS MOVES FORWARD
PPS BOARD UNANMIOUSLY APPROVES SUPPORT FOR GENERATIONS
We did it! Community members, allies, and supporters rallied at Portland Public Schools to deliver a message to the PPS Board that Generations is important to the Native community and all of Portland. Disappointed, but not defeated when the first resolution failed, supporters wrote letters, made phone calls and encouraged PPS Board members to move the project forward. A week later, PPS board members unanimously passed the Generations resolution, moving forward with planning and development. NAYA youth, Elders, parents, and staff loaded a bus to Portland Public
It was the community’s voice coming together Schools Board meeting to encourage board members to support Generations. #TeachCulture that made the vital difference. Thank you to all who wrote emails, testified, and showed your support. The work is just beginning. This fall Generations’ housing phase will break ground, building affordable housing for our community’s most vulnerable population. To learn more about Generations, how to get involved, or support an innovative intergenerational solution that will uplift Portland’s Native community visit nayapdx. org/generations.
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NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
SPRING BREAK FILLED WITH CULTURE
NAYA CAMPS AND YOUTH G.O.N.A. PACKED WITH TRADITION, FRIENDS, AND FOND MEMORIES
More than 50 youth gathered at NAYA for week-long Spring Break camps that exposed kids to Native games, field trips, horse rides, and recreational sports. Partnerships with the Future Generations Collaborative, NARA, Cedar Bough, and Health Share of Oregon sponsored the Youth Gathering Of Native Americans (GONA). Youth shared Native traditions and culture by participating in drum circles, arts, and crafts and had the opportunity to connect with their heritage and strengthen cultural identity.
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NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
TEACH CULTURE: YOUTH VALUE HERITAGE NAYA’s Early College Academy Luncheon guests gave student speaker Eleno Llanos, Oglala Lakota, a standing ovation for his story of overcoming adversity. Eleno shared how NAYA provided the opportunity to learn, develop skills, and be a community leader. Students played the guitar, read poetry and helped raise more than $65,000. The Twiss Memorial scholarship, Wells Fargo, United Way, and Oregon Lottery awarded college scholarships funds. We thank our friends, donors, and sponsors for their continued investment in strengthening youth and teaching culture.
Thank you to our major sponsors
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NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
CLUB TEACHES SOCIAL ADVOCACY
BY ALLIE DYER, FOOD CORPS SERVICE MEMBERS
Step 2 Respect partnered with NAYA’s Garden/Food programs to learn about social advocacy. Students engage in food issues including water rights, farmworker’s rights, healthy eating, food marketing, positive sexuality, and healthy relationships. Youth learn basic cooking skills and how to make healthier meal choices. Students named the club Food for Freedom because they come together to talk about social justice, healthy relationships, and environmental sustainability. As one student put it, “our club has become a community that finds good, healthy ways of being together. It’s a time to laugh, cook, and enjoy each other.” Another student said the club is simply “unity, empowerment, and community.” Overall, Food for Freedom club is a space where students get to share their own stories, broaden their food choices, and make positive relationships with one another, all while cooking together! Club members learn in a way that leads to lifestyle they want: one that fully honors our relationship to land, community, culture, and themselves.
Students Trebor Larry and Jaylen Bennett learn how to make pancakes and advocate for food security in Food for Freedom club.
TOOLS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AT NAYA
BY JR LILLY, MICRO-ENTERPRISE COACH
Micro-Enterprise can mean a lot of things such as selling jewelry at a powwow, becoming a private contractor, or having a food truck. Our clients explore diverse opportunities, with big ideas! That’s why NAYA’s small business classes are back and ready to help business owners take the next step toward prosperity. Clients come with questions about taxes, sales, how to get a business license, marketing products, and much more. Micro-Enterprise spring class engaged in learning about opportunities to develop and grow small businesses.
NAYA began its spring Small Business Course with entrepreneurs eager to learn the tools and principles needed to grow their existing business or launch a new venture. Using ONABEN’s Indianprenuership curriculum, classes cover topics with a culturally-specific lens. The course is fun, interactive, and entertaining. One-On-One Coaching is available for graduates to develop a strategic plan and mentoring. At NAYA we want to help your dream of owning a business and becoming financially stable a possibility. We don’t want to just get people out of poverty, we want to create wealth for our families and community. More class opportunities coming in Fall 2015. Visit nayapdx.org/smallbusiness for information and updates. 6
NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
GET CONNECTED TO JOBS AND EVENTS
JOBS, EVENTS, AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Native Connect is back with a new look and feel that makes searching for employment and events simple. The updated website has tools to sort and filter by location, type of job, and industry helping you find relevant postings in a timely manner. Native Connect was created to promote events and share employment opportunities from trusted partners and organizations seeking to identify and recruit talented professionals from the Native community. Job and event postings are a useful resource to find out about Portland’s most exciting happenings and employment connections.
Native professionals Eddie Sherman, Aaron Ridings, and Mike Begay, network at a recent NAYA event. Subscribe to Native Connect to receive the latest job and event opportunities.
Community can view up-to-date opportunities online and sign up to receive bi-monthly emails of all current postings. Employers can create accounts to share jobs and update the status of listings. Share Native Connect opportunities via social media, email a job to a friend and stay up to date on the latest jobs and events. Sign up to receive emails and view jobs and events at nativeconnectpdx.org. Thanks for connecting!
LEADING WITH CULTURAL VALUES
EMERGING NATIVE PROFESSIONALS COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Leadership development is crucial for our community. When we have civically engaged, informed community members to serve as advocates, we can change policies that affect our people, and improve outcomes. Fourteen of our region’s emerging leaders participated in the Oregon LEAD program. The 2014-2015 Oregon LEAD cohort graduated on May 9th in a ceremony held at NAYA. Over the course of the year, program participants developed their perspectives on leadership rooted in traditional Native values. From intensive workshops on conflict resolution and negotiation, to fun activities like crafting and enjoying a dinner with community Elders, the cohort developed strong ties. Through building relationships and learning best practices, the cohort became better prepared to serve as leaders in future years while staying connected to their diverse tribal values.
LEAD graduates celebrate with Elders and family the success of completing a year-long professional development program. 7
The Native American Youth and Family Center 5135 NE COLUMBIA BLVD. PORTLAND, OR 97218-1201 p:503.288.8177 f:503.288.1260 nayapdx.org
NON PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO 2851
INSIDE NAYA’S GOT TALENT GENERATIONS MOVES FORWARD SPRING BREAK CAMPS ECA LUNCHEON: TEACH CULTURE FOOD FOR FREEDOM SMALL BUSINESS TOOLS NATIVE CONNECT IS BACK
SAVE THE DATE
NEERCHOKIKOO POWWOW Saturday Sept. 12, 2015 Grand Entry: 12pm & 7pm
NAYA Family Center 5135 NE Columbia Blvd Portland, OR For information visit: nayapdx.org/powwow