Hi Family,
As some of you may know, the Navajo Nation is one of the hardest hit communities by COVID-19, with rates being the highest in the country last May. As of December 31, 2020 73 communities within the Nation have been identified as experiencing uncontrolled spread of the virus.
We are in direct contact with friends and family living up at Black Mesa, a Dine community where many families are actively resisting relocation due to U.S.-instigated intertribal conflict, pressure from the Peabody Coal Company and the drought caused by Peabody's use of groundwater to sluice coal. Many of the resisters are elders committed to their traditional lifestyles and relationships who now, because of COVID, are at risk every time they interact with family or supporters who could help chop wood, haul water or herd sheep.
Though winter is beautiful on Black Mesa it is also harsh and very long. Through this fundraiser we are planning to buy herbs and make two kinds of medicinal teas- an Immunity Tonic & a COVID Tea (for an individual already experiencing symptoms)- as well as 2 bottles of Herbal Cough Syrup. The herbal formulations and preparations are coming from the BZB Herbal Clinic located in Bisbee, Arizona from herbalists with many years of experience formulating medicine for families on Black Mesa.
A Testimonial on our COVID herbal preparations:
Most people think of COVID and immediately think of ICU’s, respirators, and death. But so many people are suffering through COVID at home and trying to heal themselves with rest, water, and soup. All of those things helped me recover, but nothing was more helpful than the herbal remedies sent to me by a dear friend. As a holistic enthusiast I was thrilled to receive a herbal cough syrup, soothe the heart & nourish the lungs tea blend, and an antiviral respiratory tincture. This plant medicine made all the difference. My COVID symptoms were rather mild, and I continued to exert myself to the point of having a flare up of respiratory issues. This plant medicine was just what I need to kick in and curb my oncoming symptoms. As a person who has a history of asthma I was really concerned that my respiratory system was comprised. The herbal cough syrup was a gentle way to settle my cough and keep it from becoming uncontrollable. The lung and heart tea I drank every 3 hours for 2 days and my shortness of breath was greatly decreased. At first I wasn’t sure that the antiviral respiratory tincture was needed, but then I began to hear about the after affects of COVID and was determined to finish the tincture to assure the virus was truly at bay and I could return to my normal level of health. I truly believe that without these herbal remedies my bout with COVID19 would have been much longer and much more difficult
Rationale for our fundraising amount:
An herbal package consists of 8oz of each tea plus 2 4oz bottles of syrup and costs $41.16. 110 packages will cost 4527.60 to make, and the remaining $472.40 will go to the cost of packaging and shipping. $150 accounts for the GoFundMe fees.
About the beneficiary:
Luisa Funk runs the BZB Herbal Clinic out of Bisbee, Arizona and will be making and sending the medicine to Black Mesa. We made this decision because when asked, our contacts at Big Mountain said they preferred that we send ready-made medicine rather than $$ for materials. Luisa has worked with families and projects up there for several years and has experience formulating in both effective and culturally appropriate ways.
Timeline:
We are hoping to raise the full amount by the end of January! Due to increased demand during COVID, most herb companies are back-ordered about 1 month and upon receipt the medicine can be turned around within 2-3 days. We want this medicine in the hands of Dine elders and families as soon as possible so please share widely within your networks <3
Please join us in this effort to support our community! A donation of $50 will cover the cost of 1 care package- herbs, shipping, and GFM fees <3
As some of you may know, the Navajo Nation is one of the hardest hit communities by COVID-19, with rates being the highest in the country last May. As of December 31, 2020 73 communities within the Nation have been identified as experiencing uncontrolled spread of the virus.
We are in direct contact with friends and family living up at Black Mesa, a Dine community where many families are actively resisting relocation due to U.S.-instigated intertribal conflict, pressure from the Peabody Coal Company and the drought caused by Peabody's use of groundwater to sluice coal. Many of the resisters are elders committed to their traditional lifestyles and relationships who now, because of COVID, are at risk every time they interact with family or supporters who could help chop wood, haul water or herd sheep.
Though winter is beautiful on Black Mesa it is also harsh and very long. Through this fundraiser we are planning to buy herbs and make two kinds of medicinal teas- an Immunity Tonic & a COVID Tea (for an individual already experiencing symptoms)- as well as 2 bottles of Herbal Cough Syrup. The herbal formulations and preparations are coming from the BZB Herbal Clinic located in Bisbee, Arizona from herbalists with many years of experience formulating medicine for families on Black Mesa.
A Testimonial on our COVID herbal preparations:
Most people think of COVID and immediately think of ICU’s, respirators, and death. But so many people are suffering through COVID at home and trying to heal themselves with rest, water, and soup. All of those things helped me recover, but nothing was more helpful than the herbal remedies sent to me by a dear friend. As a holistic enthusiast I was thrilled to receive a herbal cough syrup, soothe the heart & nourish the lungs tea blend, and an antiviral respiratory tincture. This plant medicine made all the difference. My COVID symptoms were rather mild, and I continued to exert myself to the point of having a flare up of respiratory issues. This plant medicine was just what I need to kick in and curb my oncoming symptoms. As a person who has a history of asthma I was really concerned that my respiratory system was comprised. The herbal cough syrup was a gentle way to settle my cough and keep it from becoming uncontrollable. The lung and heart tea I drank every 3 hours for 2 days and my shortness of breath was greatly decreased. At first I wasn’t sure that the antiviral respiratory tincture was needed, but then I began to hear about the after affects of COVID and was determined to finish the tincture to assure the virus was truly at bay and I could return to my normal level of health. I truly believe that without these herbal remedies my bout with COVID19 would have been much longer and much more difficult
Rationale for our fundraising amount:
An herbal package consists of 8oz of each tea plus 2 4oz bottles of syrup and costs $41.16. 110 packages will cost 4527.60 to make, and the remaining $472.40 will go to the cost of packaging and shipping. $150 accounts for the GoFundMe fees.
About the beneficiary:
Luisa Funk runs the BZB Herbal Clinic out of Bisbee, Arizona and will be making and sending the medicine to Black Mesa. We made this decision because when asked, our contacts at Big Mountain said they preferred that we send ready-made medicine rather than $$ for materials. Luisa has worked with families and projects up there for several years and has experience formulating in both effective and culturally appropriate ways.
Timeline:
We are hoping to raise the full amount by the end of January! Due to increased demand during COVID, most herb companies are back-ordered about 1 month and upon receipt the medicine can be turned around within 2-3 days. We want this medicine in the hands of Dine elders and families as soon as possible so please share widely within your networks <3
Please join us in this effort to support our community! A donation of $50 will cover the cost of 1 care package- herbs, shipping, and GFM fees <3
Organizer and beneficiary
Luisa Funk
Beneficiary