Winter 2014 Newsletter

WINTER 2014EMPOWERING THE LIVES OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE PORTLAND AREA

a new year of community success

2. NAYA launched a grassroots effort to strategically plan our next steps as an organization. We’ve asked community members, staff, and partners to participate in a survey identifying their vision for Portland’s Native community and the current obstacles for us to obtain that goal. Learn more about our civic engagement efforts and success stories on the new community page at nayapdx.org/community

3. The 11th annual NAYA Gala was a huge success, raising more than $350,000 for programs and services that impact more than 10,000 individuals a year in the greater Portland area. ECA graduate Elizabeth McConnell was the keynote speaker, and that evening NAYA debuted the Generations project video. Learn more and watch the video at nayapdx.org/generations

4. Gekinoo ‘amaaged akawe (First Teacher) Parenting group is a supportive network for parents to come together to learn spiritual growth, understand stress, attend PPS Parent Academy workshop, and many more engaging topics. Parents work with NAYA’s Parent Involvement Advocate to strengthen relationships with schools and children, and discuss ways to come together to support youth in educational goals. More info at nayapdx.org/parent-involvement

5. NAYA and Bow and Arrow Culture Club hosted the Winter Gathering and celebrated the holidays with a community meal, crafting, and opportunity for youth to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. NAYA also brightened the holiday for 340 children and youth with a Christmas gift. Read more about the Winter Gathering on page 4.

Dan Foster, Paiute, is a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran, has been working on a project memorializing the contibutions of Native American soldiers. His work is on display in the lobby at NAYA showing the countless hours and dedication he has put into this project. Read more on page 3.

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7. The first Native Professionals and Friends Night of 2015 is February 12th at United Way, 5:30-7:30pm. This opportunity for community professionals to come together, network, and share stories is always a fun time. For more information about NAYA events visit our calendar at nayapdx.org/events

Deputy Director, Rey España, Latino/Yaqui, was an honored recipient of the 10th annual Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce Warrior Award. The award recognizes leaders that have made significant contributions to the business and economic development efforts of the Native American community. Read more about community leaders on page 2.

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NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER NEWSLETTER WINTER 2014

awards for dedication & servicenative leaders are recognized for their leadership in the community

Executive Director Matthew Morton, Squaxin Island, was voted one of Portland Business Journal’s (PBJ) 40 Under 40. PBJ highlights 40 influential business executives under 40 years old for their leadership and committment to community.

Portland Youth and Elders Council Coordinator Donita Sue Fry, Shoshone-Bannock, was selected by the city of Portland as a 2014 Spirit of Portland Award winner. Donita’s long-standing commitment to community is evidenced by her dedication to the grassroots organizing and advocacy of Portland Youth and Elders Council, and NAYA’s Civic Engagement work.

Gang Intervention Outreach Specialist Glenn La Motte, Choctaw, was honored by Cascade Pacific Boy Scouts with the Raven Caywood Emerging Leader Award for contributions to making our community safer and healthier through cultural revitalization, as well as his well-respected public speaking.

Development Coordinator Anna Allen, Shoshone-Bannock, was honored at Portland Monthly Magazine’s Light a Fire Awards with the Emerging Leader award. Allen designed the Young Native Ambassadors Program to connect at-risk youth to resources to advance them personally and professionally by developing youth leadership.

Hard work, dedication to community, and demonstration of NAYA values has led to local organizations recognizing our staff for their contributions throughout 2014.

NAYA Marketplace returned on December 6th, bringing 40 vendors to our community, and offering contemporary and traditionally-crafted jewelry, instruments, paint, spices, smoked salmon, clothing, weaving and much more. Internationally renowned Native Artist Lillian Pitt was in attendance, NAYA Elders were able to raise almost $400 in support of the Canoe Journey, and several vendors sold a variety of traditional and contemporary foods. The event also marked the launch of an online marketplace for Native American business owners in our region to publicize their work in a digital format, connecting vendors to potential purchasers. Check out the new website at nayapdx.org/marketplace

marketplace turnout largest evercommunity vendors showcase arts, crafts, and more

A NAYA Elders has volunteered more than a year putting together a display celebrating, honoring and remembering Native American Veterans in our community and across the country. Grandpa Dan Foster, Paiute, is a Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars who completed his service in 1971. Native people have fought side-by-side in every US war, though we weren’t recognized as US citizens until 1927. Our community has long held a warrior spirit, and we volunteer in higher numbers than any other ethnic group. Grandpa Dan’s display tells the story of Native participation in the US Armed Forces.

Inspired by America’s First Warriors, a book which tells the tale of Native participation in the Armed Forces with focus on the Iraq War, Grandpa Dan began collecting the stories of local veterans, and creating display boards. More than a dozen stories are currently on display in NAYA’s lobby, alongside information about benefits and resources for Native Veterans. “I saw the way our people were treated when they came back from Iraq,” Grandpa Dan says. “A lot of our people didn’t have a good discharge, and so they couldn’t get into the VA.” Other veterans were able to improve their discharge to access these benefits. The display in the lobby is not permanent, but NAYA has plans to make Grandpa Dan’s project a new page on our website, to keep alive the stories of these brave Native Americans, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. NAYA is hiring a Veterans Placement Specialist who will provide Native American veterans with housing placement services and stability supports. For more information visit nayapdx.org/jobs

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honoring our native veteransveteran dan foster remembers native american service members

Grandpa Dan Foster, Paiute, Korean and Vietnam war veteran dedicates time at NAYA working on memorializing Native American Military Service Veterans.

naya elder shares ojibwe culture weekend class teaches language and strengthens roots

Anin (hello)! Elder Larry Dauphinais, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, taught an Ojibwe language class at NAYA, bringing community members in to learn about culture, and the values of his tribe. Participants learned about water (nibi) and earth (aki). Ojibwe, like many Indigenous languages, is endangered of being lost. Learning to speak traditional words is a vital part of sustaining our traditions and revitalizing our cultures. Learn Ojibwe:

anishinaabe – people ogimaawiwin – leadership zhawenjige – kindness abaabasan – to smudge ishkode – fire

Miigwetch (thank you) Larry for setting up this informative and important class. Learn more words and phrases, with audio pronunciation, in the Ojibwe People’s Dictionary, available via nayapdx.org/ojibwe

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young professionals support nayaby anna allen, development coordinator

Leadership is an important value in Native American culture and we are working to provide our community more opportunities to develop skills and experience. NAYA has recently reached out to a group of young community leaders to form a steering committee of rising stars. This new cohort will gather to bring a new wealth of knowledge and ideas around

the success of NAYA’s programming, fundraising and community outreach.

As their first order of business, the group came together to donate gifts to the Winter Gathering in hopes to make the holidays brighter for children in the community. They’re excited to hold their first official meeting in January 2015.

Local support from young professionals helps build a stronger Native community.

The annual Winter Gathering sponsored by NAYA and Bow and Arrow Culture Club, saw a large number of community members, youth, and Elders come together and celebrate the season. A meal was shared long-house style with delicious side dishes from the community, young children made holiday decorations, and families had their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Every child that sat with Santa shared their Christmas wish and Santa gifted them a book. Enjoy the pictures on the right that were taken of families, children, Elders, and staff members.

Christmas time can be difficult for some families. NAYA works to ensure our youth wake up on Christmas morning with a present and a smile. Coordinated efforts with case managers helped serve more than 340 children. Gifts were generously donated from community members, charitable agencies, and staff donations for youth of all ages, infants to high school youth.

celebrating holidays at nayathe winter gathering brings community together to enjoy holiday cheer

Talise McGill, Pomo/Diné, sits with Santa and Mrs. Claus to share a short Christmas story together.

youth & family eventscuLTuRE NIGhTFebruary 4thFebruary 18th

chXI SAN PLAyGRouPEvery Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

PoRTLAND youTh AND ELDERS couNcILFebruary 10thMarch 10th

college NightsEvery Tuesday Thursday

SEE A FuLL cALENDARnayapdx.org/events


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teaching tradition to foster youthby carlos mcnair, foster care support specialist

eca students display healthy artby jordyn coleman, vista youth leadership analyst

There is a strong need for our young people in the foster care system to be exposed to Native culture. Through interactions with community and working with Family Services, staff identified cultural teaching as a priority. Since time immemorial, Native people have hunted and gathered materials as a means for survival. In keeping with that practice, and to honor our ancestors, we pass on traditions to the next generation just as our Elders did before us. As we pass these customs to youth in foster care, they are able to connect with their heritage and community, something they often lack while involved in the child welfare system.

One important cultural teaching involves learning how to scrape and prepare different types of hide such as elk, deer, bison and even moose, to tan and make rawhide. We work with foster youth like Jamison Kilburn, Umatilla, to pass on this skill and strenghten cultural ties. Rawhide is used to make various cultural elements, including drums. Along with learning about tradition, youth also learn patience, gratitude, discipline and above all respect, not only for the animal who gave its life for us to survive, but also for teachings that have been given to us by Creator. We as an organization and community continue to learn and respect the teachings and traditions of the many different Native American communities and indigenous people in our community. It is our duty to continue this way of life, and in this we will never be forgotten.

Foster youth Jamison Kilburn, Umitilla, learns about fleshing from Cultural arts teacher Carlos McNair, Klamath/Modoc.

S.T.E.P. 2 Respect held its 3rd annual Healthy Relationship Creative Expression Contest for Early College Academy (ECA) students. This year’s theme was focused on the medicine wheel and the various relationships that Early College Academy students balance between the four quadrants of Mind, Body, Spirit, and Context/Environment. Eleven students submitted 14 entries of poetry and art. Winners were announced during the Student Showcase that consisted of an art exhibit and slam poetry performed by students and community members. The student showcase was attended by the ECA student body, NAYA staff, Elders, and community members.

Student poets expressed to the audience their mindful and spiritual commitments to generating and sustaining healthy relationships within themselves, their families, and their partners. Three winners were announced, third place winner Jamari Rabanal, Montanta & Yakama, for her art piece titled ‘TBNS,’ (pictured bottom left), second place winner Ricky Bute, Pauite tribe, performed a rap-style poem titled ‘Opening Up My Eyes.’ First place winner, Jessica Dow won for her art piece titled ‘A Piece of Me’ (pictured top left). Upcoming events for S.T.E.P. 2 Respect include the 2nd annual Healthy Break Up Summit at Portalnd State University, April 2015, open to all PDX middle school and high school youth!


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thank you to our sponsors

Our community partners, sponsors and supporters made the 11th annual NAYA Gala a huge success. Don’t miss out on this year’s event. Save the date for Friday, November 13, 2015.

naya gala celebrates 40 years

The Native American youth and Family center5135 NE coLuMBIA BLVD.PoRTLAND, oR 97218-1201p:503.288.8177f:503.288.1260nayapdx.org

NON PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDPORTLAND, OR

PERMIT NO 2851

save the date

EcA LuncheonWednesday, April 8, 2015

11:30 amNAYA Family Center

5135 NE Columbia Blvd Portland, OR

For information contact Anna Allen:503.288.8177, ext [email protected]

nayapdx.org/ecaluncheon

insideNATIVE LEADERS REcIEVE AWARDS

ELDERS INSPIRE coMMuNITy

WINTER GAThERING

cuLTuRAL ARTS AT NAyA

11Th ANNuAL NAyA GALA REcAP

EcA LuNchEoN, APRIL 8, 2015

Winter 2014 Newsletter

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Transcript of Winter 2014 Newsletter