NE Arizona Native Democrats’ Direct Mutual Aid

The extreme winter weather on Navajo, Hopi, and White Mountain Apache sovereign lands has left some elders and children without heat, food, or transportation. Today, we are taking a break from fundraising for our official work at the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats to spotlight the mobilization efforts of our organizers. Over the past two weeks our team members have been doing what they can to help provide for their neighbors and community. I humbly ask you to donate directly to these mutual aid efforts.

The Situation

Before joining our team as Democratic Field Organizers, Casey Lee, Navajo Nation, Lorraine Coin, Hopi Tribe, and Alfred Lomahquahu, Hopi Tribe, had been assisting community members in a wide variety of roles. Their compassion and sense of mutual responsibility is what drew them to field organizing in the first place. As Casey says, “We are raised to help our relatives and neighbors.” As temperatures dropped below freezing (down to 14° F) and high winds piled up snow in the Kayenta area, Casey has been helping stranded neighbors pull their cars out of drifts and delivering food for people, pets, and livestock.

Lorraine and her family have been delivering propane canisters, 50-lb bags of coal, and firewood to keep several community members warm during power outages. Flour and other food items are also being distributed to families in her village of Bacavi. With the help of her daughter, a nurse, she is also distributing personal protective supplies to families who are riding out the storm together. This is especially important because some family members, trapped by snowy conditions, can’t isolate, should they be exposed to Covid. Her son-in-law’s four-by-four truck has been pulling cars out of snow drifts where they were caught earlier this week. Some community members were not able to prepare and were caught without supplies or assistance. The conditions were more extreme that anyone had expected.

The supplies Lorraine is delivering are not just difficult to access they are also expensive.

It costs

+ $75 hauling for 1/2 a cord of wood

+ $25 50-lb bag of coal

+ $27 20-lb bag of flour

+ $15 propane canister

Alfred has been traveling great distances from his village of Bacavi to pick up and deliver supplies and materials for the installation of wood burning stoves, small energy efficient heating units across the villages of Hopi. The units Alfred’s team provides keep families warm through this harsh winter. He is also working with local contractors to build wheelchair ramps and repair roofs, at no cost to the recipients. The ramps allow people to safely navigate the snow and mud brought by the harsh winter storms.

On Wednesday morning, I myself waited as they tried to clear the road to White Clay so I could get to my homestead to feed my livestock and check on neighbors. The roads were impassable and couldn't be cleared as the blizzard closed in. Everyone had to wait it out. It was then that I learned several children and their babysitter were trapped miles back and the region had power outages. All the families were concerned about their loved ones and animals. Various groups and officials located a Snowcat and finally got through at 1am. They cleared enough of the road to rescue the kids and babysitter. I stayed at our local Chapter House for as long as I could, relaying information and keeping community members company. So many of us were in our vehicle hoping to get through to our homes. It was clear we needed more emergency to-go kits that included hand warmers, blankets, water, and snacks. The road conditions this time of year can be dangerous, and challenging for travelers in this remote part of the Navajo Nation who have no choice but to drive to work, attend school, shop for supplies, check on their elders, or feed livestock.

We are used to helping each other out here - but the need is critical right now. State and tribal officials are sometimes spread too thin and are not always available to cover such a large region in a timely manner. And, after the two blizzards this past week, we have a short time to prepare before more severe storms hit our region again. We’re expecting more extreme snowfall and wind conditions this Sunday through early next week. We’re doing what we can now to assist elders, those with health conditions, and anyone who just needs extra help. We’ll be out with neighbors over the next few days and we hope you’ll have our backs.

To donate to the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats’ Direct Mutual Aid GoFundMe, click here. All proceeds are distributed directly to our organizers as individuals to purchase or reimburse them for supplies and gas to assist their community during the extreme weather in Northeast Arizona.

Ahe'hee’/Thank You,

Loren Marshall

Director of Campaigns & Engagement

Northeast Arizona Native Democrats

Missa Foy

Chair

Navajo County Democrats