From the Desk of the Director

by Mark Hall

     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,
Mark Hall
Executive Director
928-440-5119

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