2024 Spring Lobby Weekend to work on the Truth and

Yá’átééh!* (Greetings!) My name is Sararesa “Sara” Begay Hopkins, and I am 54-years-old. I am also a member of the Navajo Nation with hereditary ties to the Hopi Nation. My Navajo clan is Tóáhaní * (Near-the-Water Clan), and I am born for the Nát’oh dine’é Táchii’nii* (Tobacco People, Red-Running-Into-The-Water Clan), and my maternal grandfather clan is Tódich’ii’nii* (Bitter Water Clan), and my paternal grandfather clan is Mą’įį deeshgiizhinii*(Coyote Pass- Jémez Clan).

Some of you know that I am in my graduating year at Fort Lewis College...I am earning a Master's of Arts degree in Education, Principalship.

Currently, I am taking two graduate classes, ED 760 - Action Research II Data Analysis and ED 673-1H - a special education class about working with families and writing IEPs.

I always have homework, and the writing and re-re-re-re-editing of my thesis is very time-consuming that I am not working right now. I do plan to organize a part time job after March 2024.

The reason I need to fundraise is the Durango Friends (Quakers) selected me to participate in this year's 2024 Spring Lobby Weekend by the Friends Committee on National Legislation for March 16-19, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The legislation that we, me and three other Native American Fort Lewis College classmates, will be working on to pass the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Bill.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation has paid for my airfare to Washington, D.C. I was advised today that I have to fundraise for my lodging; three meals a day and my D.C. metro transportation.

I have created a budget for what I need -

Lodging for March 16, 17, 18, 19th - $800.00

12 Meals in D.C.-area - $200.00

D.C. Metro transportation $50.00

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Total Need $1,500.00

Even if you donate $50.00 or $25.00, it'll help. Like I stated before, I am not working. My husband, John, is a free-lance writer, and is on disability, and our income is very, very modest at this time.

After I graduate with my MAE, I plan to work on the Navajo Nation or another Native American tribe's reservation as a school principal or a school administrator. I also would not mind returning to my profession of being a special education teacher.

In Appreciation,

Sararesa "Sara" Hopkins

I was selected because I spoke to the group during the Sunday before Thanksgiving 2023 about my life as a contemporary Navajo-Dine' woman, and my family.