BY COLLEEN KEANE
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
ALBUQUERQUE — A year ago, more than 100 members of the urban Indian community met at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on 12th street.
During the urban summit, one of the largest of its kind, presenters honored the memory of Kee Thompson and Allison Gorman, members of the Navajo Nation who were brutally murdered on the city’s west side in 2014.
To give hope to community members who were traumatized by the violence and impacted by long-term disparities in the city, participants were asked to imagine a totally different landscape.
Amidst the grief, compassion and camaraderie, emerged visions of a vibrant community and the Assembly of Native Americans Voices, as the group calls itself, has taken these visions and created a mission.
ANAV’s mission is to promote fellowship, economic wellbeing, quality of life and cultural involvement for urban tribal members.
Patricia Bradley (Diné), an attendee at the January meeting, encourages others to participate in ANAV meetings.
“In the city, there are feelings of isolation and loneliness,” she stated. “This gathering provides spiritual strength and awakening and a way to unite with other Natives.”
At last Saturday’s meeting, President Jolene Catron (Diné), updated the group on the progress that’s been made in the last year.
As a first step, a board was established, which includes Catron, Vice President Bineshi Albert, Secretary Natalie Nicotine, Treasurer John C. Lewis and member Beaver North Cloud.
With the board in place, the organization is now taking steps to secure non-profit tax status so that grants and donations can be received. In the meantime, an alliance has been created with another tribal organization to act as a fiscal agent.
ANAV has also created a website and secured a consultant grant writer.
To reach out to the community, ANAV has created partnerships with several businesses that helped to support the first outreach event – a back-to school blessing was held on Aug. 13.
Around 175 students received fully supplied backpacks to prepare them for the school year.
Additionally, during the past year, collaborative work with the city of Albuquerque resulted in the revival of the city’s Commission on Indian Affairs, which had been inactive for the past two years.
On Monday, Mayor Richard J. Berry announced the new Indian Affairs commission members during a press conference held at IPCC.
They are:
Chairperson Ronald Solimon (Laguna Pueblo).
Member William Riding, Community Outreach Worker for First Nations Community Healthsource.
Member Laurie Weahkee, (Diné/Cochiti/Zuni), Executive Director Native American Voters Alliance, NAVA.
Member Michael Canfield, CEO & President, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Member Lloyd Lee (Diné), Associate Professor of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico.
To raise awareness about its mission, advocacy and outreach work, ANAV is sponsoring a logo contest.
ANAV is calling for artwork and conceptual designs that align with what tribal members envisioned a year ago during the urban summit.
Some of the thoughts that spilled out: an informed community that expresses traditional values of kinship, kindness, inclusivity, respect and unity.
Deadline for submission is Jan. 31, and the cash prize for the winning entry is $150.
Information: visit assemblynativevoices.com or call 505- 246-1819.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES | COLLEEN KEANE
Natalie Nicotine, ANAV Secretary, holds up two flyers. One draws out words that describe what a vibrant urban Indian community would look like; the other an application for an ANAV logo design that would best incorporate the concepts behind these words.