Looking back, looking forward
Many Native American Tribes throughout Turtle Island look to the heavens to mark significant times and seasons. As the new year approaches, we take the opportunity to reflect. Looking back, we celebrate our community’s passion, dedication and hard work, and share our gratitude for the outstanding progress we have all made. And, we thank YOU, for your amazing belief and support – you make all our work possible!
Here is a look back at some of this year’s memories:
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- Spring Break Camp : our kiddos had tons of fun and learned cultural lessons every day.
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- Generations Grand Opening: providing much needed and beautiful low income housing here in Portland
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- Native Professionals and Friends Nights: gathering community, making friends and building connections
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- Micro-enterprise Class graduation: Native entrepreneurs create their plans for success.
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- Youth & Elders Honoring: celebrating K-college students and our Elders
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- Early College Academy Graduation: celebrating ten students successful completion of their high school journeys
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- NAYA’s Got Talent: showcasing our community members’ talent in music, dance an poetry performances
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- Children’s Powwow: giving our youth an opportunity to shine
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- Early College Academy Luncheon: hearing powerful messages from our youth and raising important funds for the ECA
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- Miss Alaska Visit: Sharing her inspirational story with our youth and community
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- NAYA in Salem: Raising our voices and our concerns in Legislative Action Days
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- Camp Rise: teaching culture through arts, play and fun over the summer months
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- NAME, Tribe. More information about what this person likes and how cool they are.
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- Summer Ascend: NASA Camp: STEM anyone? Students learn robotics
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- Back to School BBQ: Fun, food and school supplies in one of our summer’s last hurrahs
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- Housing to Homeownership Fair: workshops, door prizes and fun on the pathway to home ownership
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- NAYA Sports!
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- 14th Annual Gala and Auction: Oregon’s largest celebration of Native American Heritage Month and our largest fundraiser
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- Paul completes his first year with his leadership team
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- NAYA Staff Holiday Party: taking the time to celebrate and have fun!
We also celebrate our regularly-scheduled programs including our sports programs, Culture Nights, Family Nights, Portland Youth & Elders Council, Homebuyer Education Classes, Chxi San Playgroup, WIC Clinics, Foster Family Sibling Nights, Elders Tai Chi, Micro-enterprise Classes, College Nights, Healing Circle, Foster Care Support, After-school tutoring and LEAD Cohort – just to name a few more!
We thank our dedicated employees and volunteers who provide critical services every day and thank our wonderful Board of Directors for their leadership and guidance.
Yes, 2017 has been a great year! The support of our board, donors, sponsors, staff and volunteers have had a huge impact on Portland’s Native community and on the social and cultural landscape of the Portland area at large. From infant to Elder, together, we will continue to empower Portland’s growing Native American community in 2018!
With blessings for the New Year,
Your friends at NAYA Family Center