Hau mitakuye pi (hello relatives),  I'm reaching out to my community for help after a breakdown derailed my season last week. While driving past Mt Hood, 1000 miles from home, the transmission gave out in my van and is unfixable. The cost of the repairs far exceed the value of the vehicle. I'm hoping to raise money so I can have help getting home and getting a reliable vehicle to finish out the work I have ahead of me this season. I'm really fortunate to have some incredible opportunities this year to make a big environmental impact and significant progress for Native people in skiing and outdoor recreation around equity, inclusion, and representation. Unfortunately, almost all of the labor I do in the ski industry is unpaid or pays well below minimum wage considering the work I put in to make it happen, so I'm having a hard time recovering from this on my own. My van was my home on wheels during ski season and losing it has been a huge setback and caused a lot of additional expenses and stresses (especially being across the country during Covid). I will use the funds donated to cover my unexpected travel costs (lodging, rental car, etc.), get home, and make a down payment on a reliable vehicle. If the community can help me bridge this gap it will be instrumental in helping me achieve my goals this season and would mean the world to me. Pilama yelo! (Thank you!)