We are thrilled to announce that after an extensive national search, Oscar Arana (Chichimeca) has been appointed as the permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). Oscar has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to the mission and values of NAYA. His tenure over the pastView Article >
khwat yaka haws, meaning “Auntie’s Place” in the Chinook language, is a vital resource designed to support Native families experiencing houselessness. Located in Milwaukie, its opening is a significant milestone in NAYA’s ongoing mission to provide culturally specific, comprehensive services to the Native community. The shelter adds a much-needed component to NAYA’s continuum of housingView Article >
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honor the LGBTQIA+ community. For Native American people, this month is also an opportunity to shine a light on our Two Spirit community members. Two Spirit is a term used by some Native American communities to describe individuals who possess both male and female spirits. TheseView Article >
The wonderful return of NAYA’s Foster Care Sibling and Family Enrichment Nights. After a hiatus due to COVID-19, NAYA is proud to announce the return of its Foster Care Sibling and Family Nights, offering a unique opportunity for siblings and families in the foster care system to reconnect through enriching cultural experiences and activities. ForView Article >
In a collaboration that ignited the flames of ambition and opportunity, NAYA joined forces with Portland Community College (PCC) to offer a unique spring camp experience for our high school students. At the heart of this partnership was PCC’s special mobile welding unit, providing campers with a hands-on introduction to the world of welding andView Article >
As we commemorate half a century of dedicated service and advocacy, we reflect on our journey and celebrate our profound impact. Since our inception in 1974, we have been committed to uplifting Native American youth and families, foster resilience, and promoting cultural reclamation and sovereignty. Over the past five decades, NAYA has evolved into aView Article >
Houselessness is a critical issue in Portland, with Native Americans disproportionately represented in Multnomah County. NAYA’s Youth Housing Services (YHS) works to change that for the nearly 93 youth, ages 16-24, served by the program through offering housing and other basic human needs like food, hygiene products, childcare, and connection to culture. YHS isView Article >
NAYA serves a large and diverse Native American community–60,000 people representing more than 380 tribes. Each member of our community has a unique pathway to thrive and prosper, and NAYA is dedicated to be in service to all. Here’s a look back at some of our achievements of the past year: TOGETHER, we continue toView Article >
On a beautiful, sun-lit afternoon in mid-December 2023, we celebrated the Grand Opening of munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali, [moonk-YEH-lǔn SAH-hah-lee] meaning “to help up, to boost” in the Chinook language. munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali [moonk-YEH-lǔn SAH-hah-lee] is NAYA’s new service hub in the Cully neighborhood and home to NAYA’s suite of community economic development and prosperity programs, including OurView Article >
On the heels of an incredibly inspiring UnThanksgiving event in NAYA’s community garden, and an amazingly bountiful harvest this year, the reality that our community continues to face food insecurity comes sharply into focus. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have prepared for the scarcity of winter with traditional ways of preserving and putting foodView Article >