Following a rigorous, participatory research project in partnership with the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity, NAYA’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program has been deemed a sterling example of empowerment economics, supporting the organization’s mission to enhance the diverse strengths of the Native community. The IDA program is just one of the many ways NAYAView Article >
“Culture is prevention,” says Natalyn Begay, NAYA’s Health Equity program manager, and it is those words that serve as the foundation for the entire program. “Really, what that means is the reclamation of culture to increase the overall health of our community,” Begay says. First, elders are looked to for traditional wisdom. Second, those teachingsView Article >
As National Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close, NAYA recently invited guest bloggers to share their thoughts on reasons why suicide continues to impact Indian Country to such an extent, and how building opportunities to talk about the issue can build hope. Content warning: These articles discuss issues that some community members may findView Article >
As MNA first day approaches, NAYA asks all staff to be vaxxed Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread and severity of COVID-19. For months, NAYA has taken the strongest possible measures to keep its staff and clients safe during this pandemic. In response to the recent record-breaking surge in coronavirus casesView Article >
During the 2021 Oregon legislative session, NAYA set out to advocate for an ambitious set of priorities, pushing for the passage of bills that uplift the Indigenous community. We’re always pursuing positive change, but the new opportunities, changes in representation, and the rapid increase in communities’ activism made these efforts all the more pressing. DespiteView Article >
Prior to March 2020, NAYA’s kitchen staff—led by longtime Kitchen Manager Laura Booth—would arrive most mornings by 8 a.m., and prepare breakfast. On any given morning, the smell of bacon or pancakes would fill the NAYA lobby, as smiling community elders, Many Nations Academy students, and NAYA staff would line up in the hallway outsideView Article >
501(c)(4) organization will broaden political advocacy for Native community The Portland-based Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), is pleased to announce the creation of the NAYA Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization which will amplify NAYA’s already-strong political advocacy and engagement. As a social welfare-classified organization, the NAYA Action Fund can conduct lobbying, electoral organizing for politicalView Article >
tw: physical, sexual abuse, suicide, substance abuse, child death NAYA offers its heartbroken prayers and condolences to all who have been impacted by news of the discovery of the mass gravesite of 215 children at a Canadian residential school. These prayers are for the families directly impacted, but also our Indigenous relatives around the worldView Article >
Gloria Gonzalez was two years into a five-year lease on a studio space for her business Vida Massage when the pandemic hit. Her storefront shuttered for 18 weeks before reopening, and even then, things were slow and the number of clients would ebb and flow. Gonzalez was unsure how she’d survive—until NAYA called with anView Article >
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. Click here to watch NAYA Foster Care Support Specialist Daryle Conquering Bear discuss the impact that NAYA’s support programs can make on the lives of our young clients. Currently, there are over 430,000 youth in foster care. Statistics show that Native American children are far more likely toView Article >