Join the #StrongerTogether community!

Traditionally our peoples have a rich history of unity, coming together to share whatever we have, big or small. Today we invite all to join with us, to be part of our community, and help foster positive change! Everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts!

Stronger Together phase #4: Community wellness

This summer (2022) NISN would like to continue our partnership with schools and promote network unity and holistic wellness. partnering with local Zumba instructors and community members can take part in this fun physical activity! NISN team members will also lead students, families, and community members in social/emotional learning exercises that help us reground and reflect to promote holistic wellness.

Special thanks to our Community Partners and Zumba Instructors:

Native American Community Academy (Albuquerque, NM) — Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School (Las Cruces) — Six Directions Indigenous School — Dream Dine Charter School (Shiprock, NM) — Shiprock Office of Dine Youth (Shiprock, NM) Sabrina’s Z Crew Fitness (Albuquerque, NM) — Erika Ojeda (Las Cruces, NM) — Kelvin Gleason (Gallup, NM) — Melissa Yazzie (Shiprock, NM)

Stronger Together Phase #3: Youth Re-Engagement

Last year much of the world experienced a dramatic shift in their daily lives when the transition to remote learning and work occurred. This change to constant zoom meetings and virtual check-ins had a deep impact on mental health and emotional wellness among our indigenous youth. With the funds raised through our 2021 #GivingTuesday campaign, the Stronger Together Relief Program will offer support to local teen centers in South Dakota to reconnect indigenous youth with their roots and help them re-engage with their community.  

Check out our “Community Voice” event here to learn more about our Youth Engagement Campaign

Stronger Together Phase #2: Vaccination outreach

At the beginning of 2021, NISN partnered with the Northern Navajo Medical Center to support vaccination outreach among communities in north-western New Mexico.

By June 2021 the high outcome of vaccination rates had begun to shift the national narrative from the beginning of the pandemic, which highlighted the Navajo Nation as a COVID hot spot. And now a year later, the Navajo Nation had once again become a topic of discussion, this time for its high rates of vaccination.

With Stronger Together, the narrative for our communities is being rewritten as one of STRENGTH and RESILIENCY. 

Stronger Together Phase #1: direct awards and food distribution

Beginning in March 2020 the NACA Inspired Schools Network and the New Mexico Dream Team partnered to launch the #StrongerTogether Relief Program, a relief effort by community, for community founded on shared values of cultural identity and holistic wellness.

Indigenous and undocumented peoples have been at the front lines of the pandemic, with many undocumented and mixed-status families left out of the initial pandemic relief acts passed by Congress.

Since the beginning of the Stronger Together Relief Program, we have provided food, supplies, and financial assistance to over 1,500 Indigenous and undocumented families across New Mexico, South Dakota, Colorado, and Oklahoma.

#StrongerTogether Relief Program Partners

New Mexico Dream Team (Albuquerque, NM)

Native American Community Academy (Albuquerque, NM)

7th Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples (Bear Soldier, SD)

Dream Diné Charter School (Shiprock, NM)

Dził Ditł'ooí School of Empowerment, Action and Perseverance (Navajo, NM)

First Families Now (Pine Ridge, SD)

Kha’p’o Community School (Santa Clara Pueblo, NM)

RaÍces Del Saber Xinachtli Community School (Las Cruces, NM)

Sicangu Community Development Corporation (Sicangu Lakota Oyate, SD)

Six Directions Indigenous School (Gallup, NM)

Sovereign Community School (Oklahoma City, OK)

Thank You to Our Supporters

Wend

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Momentum Fund

All Together NM

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Charter School Growth Fund

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico

Native American Community Response Fund

New Mexico State University

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Schott Foundation