BOOK PROFILE
THE SANTA FE INDIAN CENTER
Economic Profiles of American Indian Reservations Third Edition, BowArrow Publishing Company, 1,120 pages, $325.
T
iller’s Guide to Indian Country is one of the most widely used reference books about today ’s 567 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. Organized geographically, the book’s meticulously researched profiles provide hard-to-find d e m o g r a ph i c a n d e c on om i c information on how tribes live and work on their 567 unique reservations. The stories reveal entrepreneurial zeal, as well as profound cultural and economic rebirth of Indian tribes. Many tribes have lifted themselves out of poverty through use of their unique resources to develop diverse businesses, which include “green” enterprises such as solar-powered farms supplying urban areas far f rom the reservations. Recently, the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and Tiller Research, Inc. (veronicatiller.com) announced a collaborative partnership to support the Honoring Nations Google Map (hpaied.org/ Google). The interactive map currently features all 124 Honoring Nations Honorees,a flagship program of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, and their outstanding stories/efforts in self-governance. As part of this collaboration, each of the 124 Honorees’reports will include a full tribal profile from the latest edition of Tiller’s Guide to Indian Country. ship will launch The map partnership this coming October ober and assist Honoring Nationss in identifying, celebrating and sharing tribal ess. government success. Tiller’s Guide is an important deral and state resource for federal governments, school systems,
Native people residing in urban areas are among the most invisible populations, yet … 72 percent of all American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and 78 percent of all AI/AN children live in cities. This invisibility perpetuates extreme disparities … for tribal citizens, including: children and family services, housing and homelessness, economic development and employment, and health and wellness (including the Corn Dance – Jemez Seasonal Dance Group justice system). – Making the Invisible Visible; A Policy Blueprint from Urban Indian America by the National Urban Indian Family Coalition, June 2015
© Caren Gala (3)
TILLER’S GUIDE TO INDIAN COUNTRY:
The Santa Fe Indian Center (SFIC) was formed in 2008 by a concerned group of local Native American residents who saw a need for an organization that would be of service to all Native Americans living in Santa Fe. SFIC operates under a fiscal sponsorship of the New Mexico Community Foundation.
Through a $10,000 grant from the Buckaroo Ball Foundation plus additional individual gifts and food concessions proceeds at the Santa Fe Powwow, since 2011, 55 adults and 75 children have been assisted through a financial hardship or crisis, including rent, utilities, car repairs, educational, medical and funeral expenses. Another $2,000 has gone towards gift cards for gas, clothing and food for families in urgent need.
businesses and law firms working with tribes. Tiller’s research has been utilized in litigation resulting in judgments and settlements for tribes. Federal agencies and congressional committees have used the guide for information relevant to their deliberations. The book represents the lifework of Dr. Veronica Velarde Tiller, a citizen of the J ic ar illa Apache Nation in New Mexico. She earned her Ph.D. in American Indian History from the University of New Mexico. In addition to tribal economies, her company, Tiller Research, Inc., has specialized in studies related to tribal water rights, energy, forestry and the environment. The recently updated third edition is now available in e-book format, as well as in iits original hard-copy form. For more information, email vtiller99@ comcast.net or visit veronicatiller.com # veronicatiller.
In partnership with Rotary Del Sur and their Shoes for Kids program, SFIC has enabled Indian schoolchildren living below the poverty level to receive one pair of shoes and six pairs of socks. Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation recently contributed $1,500 in support of this initiative. Financial support also comes from the Native American Advised Endowment Fund at Santa Fe Community Foundation.
Face painting at 2015 American Indian Community Day
Thanks to funding from the New Mexico Health Equity Partnership, SFIC is currently sponsoring a Health Impact Assessment of the urban Indian community and the ability of the Indian Health Service to meet its needs. The Santa Fe Indian Hospital serves nine pueblos but does not receive funding for members of other tribes that represent much of the Santa Fe Indian population. Results of the assessment will be available in the fall. SFIC has hosted many gatherings and workshops such as “The Importance of Growing Your Own Garden,” “Native American Gardening Techniques” and “Leading a Healthier Lifestyle.” In association with Wings of America, SFPS Native American Student Services and Railyard Stewards, SFIC has sponsored “Laps 4 Life,” a day for health and wellness with free workshops on physical fitness and goal setting.
A MERICAN I NDIAN COMMUNITY DAY – SEPT. 17 Each year SFIC hosts “Indian Summer:American Indian Community Day in Santa Fe,” which brings the community together to socialize, participate in Games with Wings of American and Nike of Santa Fe cultural awareness, share a meal and have fun. It will be held this year on Sept. 17, 12 pm to 4 pm at Ragel Park. It is free, open to the public, and features Native American dancers and singers, stories, music, games, art, breakdancing and nonprofit booths. /Ĩ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ ŚĞůƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ͛Ɛ ĞīŽƌƚƐ͕ ĐĂůů ϱϬϱ͘ϲϮϬ͘ϰϮϭϬ͕ ĞŵĂŝů ƐĮŶĚŝĂŶĐĞŶƚĞƌΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ Žƌ ǀŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ƐĂŶƚĂĨĞŝŶĚŝĂŶĐĞŶƚĞƌ͘ŽƌŐ
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