Red Feather Development Group: Housing Assistance for Native American communities
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Spring 2022 Newsletter: Elizabeth speaks on finding the Celebration, the Care and the Power in Our Work

6/8/2022

 

From the Ground: Recentering, Homes and Deeper Healing 

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Red Feather Program Coordinator Elizabeth Freeman speaks on the power of re-centering, the need to celebrate success, incorporating education into everything we do, and when a home assessment is so much more than a home assessment. 
'Since we’ve grown our Direct Solutions program, which provides a limited budget for home repair materials for families across both Hopi and Navajo, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of calls and applications. It’s been exciting but it’s also been a lot! Remembering the big picture is essential for me when I get overwhelmed with the amount of demand we are facing, or the amount of calls that come in during the day. People are facing a lot, and this is our way of doing something immediately, of meeting immediate need. The growing of the Direct Solutions program is intended to be that, and in so many ways it is succeeding.

​'Acknowledging and celebrating that re-centers me.
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'Despite the struggles, we are doing so much good work. I mean, we are really doing SO MUCH, reaching so many homes. And sometimes, in the constant drive to do more, we don’t always take the time to stop and spotlight and celebrate what we are doing, which is so important. Because we are reaching a lot of people. When you are as dedicated as we are to trying to help and to serve, it can be overwhelming to come in in the mornings and just see ‘Oh, I have 30 missed calls and 50 new emails’ but the power is in realizing that these are all people we are reaching and people that will be helped.

'I’m a big believer in stopping to recognize accomplishments and celebrate them. The truth is that Red Feather has grown a lot and is doing amazing work, so let’s acknowledge and get joy out of that too, while also recognizing that of course there will always be more work to do.
'I don’t think anyone should undersell what they’ve managed to overcome or succeed at, and that goes for both our employees and those that we serve. People just need to hear “You are doing fantastic!” and this can start a positive cycle of encouragement and self-belief.  As we are focusing on meeting these immediate physical needs in the home through our Direct Solutions program, there’s this other side too of just making sure people feel seen and acknowledged. I think this is something we all need.

'When we are in the field a lot, we have to focus on the negative aspects. When you are doing home assessments, you have to look for what is wrong in the home in order to find what is most needed. So this sort of negative focus has to be there, and especially when you are working in communities with endemic poverty and centuries of oppression and trauma, sometimes it’s easy to see only that, to stay in the negative, to just be in the thought process of “how did people get to this point?”

'But there is such a powerful mindset switch we can do too. Like yes, when we are doing home assessments we focus on the negative, but there is also space for the positive in our interactions.
'This is where our education programs come in, because there is a space for change and hope and possibility when people have life tools and not just home fixes. Knowledge cannot be taken away from you. There are so many types of education too, you don’t have to have a degree to gain knowledge.
'At Red Feather, what we want to do is also provide a pathway to the power of knowing that you can take care of yourself. I think that there are many layers to things, and yes its great to have your home fixed, to have heating, to get these needs met, but then there is the deeper emotional level, also the emotional healing, that can come from a feeling of "I can take care of myself."

'This is how I see our programs coming together. We all have a hierarchy of needs. With the Direct Solutions program, and also our HHESI and other home repair programs, we target that base layer on Maslow's pyramid.  We all need a home, we need somewhere to sleep, somewhere safe to be, to be warm. Of course we all need that.

'But I don’t want to just leave someone with a healthy home kit and call it a day. We are trying to leave people with something that they can use, that they can pass on to the next generation, that can have a longer-lasting impact.

'I mean, look, we are trying to address this major, age-old housing crisis on the Hopi and Navajo reservation. That’s what Red Feather is here for. But how can we move from just immediate crisis response to preparation, to prevention? I think that incorporating education, financial literacy, all of it, into everything we do is key.

'It is my intention and hope that people pass this all on to their kids, that we can all become better examples, that the next generation has something more to work with.

'My hope is that I can give people the tools, the resources, so that when tough situations come up they have something to throw at that, to address that. We are working on this as a key aspect of our programs at Red Feather all the time.

'People’s actions reflect their mindset and their current emotional state. There’s always a reason for why people are in the situation that they’re in. We all express our needs in different ways. We don’t always know what people have gone through, but we are all human. Having one’s needs be ignored is a kind of neglect. 
At its most basic what we do at Red Feather is try to see people’s needs, to make sure that people know we are seeing them. That they’ve been noticed, that someone cares, that they’ve been heard.
'It might seem simple, like we just provided someone with a smoke alarm, fixed their window, gave them a safer stove, but in this context of deep historical and cultural trauma, what I think this can also give, or at least I hope this can also give, is a sense that at least someone saw me today, cared about the situation I was in. At least, if no one else did today, Red Feather saw that need and tried to do something, cared, was there to be present.'
Download the Spring 2022 Newsletter

Summer 2021 Letter From the ED

7/2/2021

 
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Thus, Red Feather’s collaborative effort to provide firewood to Native   families in need is part of a holistic solution to reduce wildfire risks and   restore some level of socio-ecological balance. As a housing organization,   we could not stand idly by as families faced freezing to death, due to   inadequate heating fuel." ​
It is important to recognize that Native communities were America’s first land stewards, holding a deeply interactive and impassioned connection to the natural world. Today, for a variety of reasons, we are now seeing unprecedented, large wildfires across the western United States as well as coordinated efforts to solve that problem. Thus, Red Feather’s collaborative effort to provide firewood to Native families in need is part of a holistic solution to reduce wildfire risks and restore some level of socio-ecological balance. As a housing organization, we could not stand idly by as families faced freezing to death, due to inadequate heating fuel.

Recognizing that firewood alone is an imperfect solution to keeping families warm and healthy, we have continued to expand related aspects of our work, such as our retrofits and repairs of roofs, windows, and doors. We have also greatly expanded our heating system improvement program, which has included replacing older, inefficient potbelly-style stoves with modern EPA-certified, clean-burning devices. Additionally, we have installed more than 50 mini-split heat pumps, which produce zero emissions and have the added benefit of providing air conditioning--a growing necessity that few Native families have historically been able to enjoy. We are also installing solar heating furnaces as a supplemental heat source that improves air quality and reduces heating expenses.

Our flexible, adaptive programming has allowed us to be quick and nimble during these unprecedented times. When the pandemic swept across Navajo and Hopi lands, we promptly responded by providing hand-washing stations to families without running water in hopes that improving access to hand hygiene would slow the spread of the virus. We have also been able to re-envision our educational classes by developing an on-line suite of videos and instruction materials. Now students can stream or watch DVDs that provide practical strategies for creating healthier living environments. To further advance this work, we are distributing customized, healthy home kits. These do-it-yourself kits can include items such as carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, chimney cleaning brushes, and aging-in-place items.

The one constant in all these efforts is the generous trust that all of you place in us. Your continued support of our work allows Red Feather to keep evolving and supporting those in need. For that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With Gratitude,
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Red Feather Executive Director Joe Seidenberg
​July 2021
FUll Newsletter

FROM THE DESK OF ED - Winter 2019 Newsletter

12/24/2019

 

The Evolution and Growth of a Dynamic Organization
Story by Joseph Seidenberg, Executive Director

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Ironically, we’re back to a starting point of sorts, when our founder, Robert Young, heard about tribal elders freezing to death on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, home of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.   So moved by the plight of Katherine Red Feather, he organized his friends to build her a new home, which planted the seed that would eventually grow into who we are today.   Fortunately, we have had several donors and grants over the past year that have helped us develop a new DIY Healthy Heating class, an alternative healthy heating community demonstration site, and the installation of new heating systems in a handful of homes.  As we look to the future, we will continue to solicit support as we expand these efforts, in hopes that all people in our partner communities have access to healthy heating options in their homes.   

Of course, it is not just our programs that evolve, but our staff as well, as you will read in the stories that follow.    In July of this year, I took the reins as Executive Director, after spending eight years in program development positions within the organization.  My own path to Red Feather involved a deep interest in humanity, and a belief that no matter our geography, religion, political views or economic status, we are all connected and should strive to support each other as we endeavor to survive in this chaotic world.

Having worked in the remote corners of West Africa (hand-in-hand with Muslim and Christian communities) and the bustling city of Nairobi, Kenya, I purposefully found my way to the southwestern United States.   It was here that I connected with our native communities, who have so many beautiful attributes and whose teachings are of great benefit to our global community.  Sadly, they have also endured many injustices and traumatic hardships.   Despite this, they keep on thriving and evolving as people.  They are not the only native communities to have encountered such a reality. 

On a recent, much-needed vacation to Australia, I had the chance to learn more about the aboriginal communities there.   Facing much of a similar plight to Native Americans, such as genocide, forced assimilation and theft of their homelands, they remain resilient.  I was amazed to see outside the Sydney airport, next to the Australian National Flag, an equivalently sized Aboriginal Peoples Flag.  Let’s not pretend to think that having such a flag indicates all is well for Aboriginal Australians or that they live in a world free of prejudice or economic, social, and environmental injustice.    However, let their flag be a beacon, reminding us that all people are equally entitled to a healthy and harmonious life. 

As the year comes to a close and we soon begin yet another, let it be filled with visions of hope and excitement for stories untold.  Endeavor to continue spreading goodwill to all.   We recognize that many of our supporters have already donated all they can during the year, but for those who are able we ask that you consider Red Feather in your year-end giving.  

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If you would rather contribute in other ways, one of the simplest things you can do is share our work more broadly with your family, friends and colleagues- for as our family grows, so does our impact.   And, while our volunteer programs are not as robust as in years past, you can still let us know of your interests by giving us a call or visiting our volunteer page here.  

Wishing all of you a peaceful and prosperous holiday season.
​Sincerely,   ​

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Joe Seidenberg, Red Feather Executive Director

FROM THE DESK OF ED - Spring 2019 Newsletter

4/12/2019

 
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With the arrival of spring we begin to see encouraging signs of new growth.  What we were previously seeing as dormant is showing itself to be very much alive and healthy.  Red Feather is showing similar signs.  Signs that roots are well established, and programs are beginning to blossom.  These signs have indicated that now is an appropriate time for the organization, and for me personally, to transition back to my role with Red Feather’s board of directors.   As such, effective June 30th I will be turning over the role of Executive Director to a new person, yet to be identified.  

The search will be thorough to find the right person to take Red Feather into the next decade. I am determined to help find an exemplary candidate that can be brought on board before I leave.  That will allow me to best support the transition.  I am confident that with my continued involvement on the Red Feather board, the transition will be a smooth one.   

I have found my involvement with Red Feather to be tremendously rewarding on many different levels, from emotional rewards to the personal growth that it has afforded me.  I expect that the next person to lead this organization will find similar rewards and in return will drive an even greater impact with all of your continued support. 

I'd like to thank all of you, for supporting Red Feather and me personally while I had the honor of being in charge.   I look forward to continuing to work together to empower more people to make their homes healthier.    
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Sincerely grateful,

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Mark Hall
​Executive Director

FROM THE DESK OF ED - Summer 2017 Newsletter

8/11/2017

 
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It’s been a busy spring and summer for Red Feather.   We’ve been making a meaningful impact with our case management program, the Native Home Resource Network.   The program attempts to help families with their housing needs, leveraging as many resources as possible that exist within the family and community before supplementing those with resources Red Feather and its network can locate outside the community.  Please read Joe’s articles about some of the successes we are seeing with this program and others.  This Memorial Day we took a small break from helping with housing to join our partner, Western Navajo Agency Veterans Administration, hosting an event to honor departed veterans.   Native Americans have the highest percentage of people serving in the military - more than any other ethnic group in the United States.  This is partly because of lack of jobs in their communities, but also because of their strong warrior traditions.   There is a tremendous amount of respect and honor bestowed upon those that are willing to sacrifice their own lives for others.  

Thanks to a grant from APS, material donations from Home Depot, and labor and planning support from a group of Honor Riders and other members of the Tuba City community, we repainted the exterior of the Veterans office, spruced up the surrounding area, and hosted a memorial ceremony and lunch for Veterans and their families.    

The ceremony that began with a sunrise prayer and raising of flags, included over 200 names of deceased Veterans being added to a memorial wall.   It was a day filled with emotional speeches.  Tears could be seen on even the most stoic faces. 

With so many from these Native communities making the ultimate sacrifice - for us -it gives me even greater resolve to help with their urgent housing needs.  My hope by sharing this is that it will compel you to ask yourself what more you can do.  Would you consider putting Red Feather in your estate plans?  If you are interested in discussing this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
 
Sincerely,

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Mark Hall
Executive Director
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WORKING WITH HOPI AND DINÉ
​ COMMUNITIES FOR  HEALTHIER AND SAFER HOMES.
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© 2022 Red Feather Development Group ​​
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:​ The Red Feather program office sits in an area that is sacred to over 14 local tribes, some represented among the Red Feather staff, and some not. We humbly acknowledge this area’s Indigenous nations, original stewards and Native descendants. We honor them all, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home. We share a responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, cultures, and histories that make up our community. *Adapted from the Flagstaff City Council land acknowledgement developed by the Indigenous Commission
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  • Home
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    • About Us
    • Vision & Mission
    • Board, Staff & Sponsors
    • Nations We Serve
    • Media & Press
    • Financials & Newsletters
    • Careers
    • Blog
  • What We Do
    • Our Work
    • Education
    • Native Home Resource Network
    • Healthy Home Energy & Safety Improvements
  • Take Action
    • Donate
    • Get involved
  • Services
    • Application for Home Repairs
    • Other Healthy Home Services (Native Home Resource Network)
    • Online Education Resources
    • Community Partners & Resource Lists
    • Contact