I am so pleased to be able to once again post on our website. We have wonderful things in the works that will take Huajatolla Heritage Foundation to new heights. Stay tuned….but please consider supporting us at the upcoming Makers’ Market.

Huajatolla Heritage Foundation is partnering with the La Veta Creative District in creating an event showcasing several exceptional artists and craftspeople in our community. The event will be held from 10Am to 7PM on Saturday December 4^th at 225 S. Main in La Veta. Arthur ShortBull, Kate Wootton, Lisa Dasenbrock, Frog Hollow Brooms, Raymond Tenorio (from Santo Domingo Pueblo), the Sandys Squared, Charity of White Crow Ranch and John Costea will all be sharing their quality handcrafted goods. The Falcon Cheesecake Food Truck will be serving from 10-4. Santa will be around. Michael Rael, talented musician from Questa will provide live music from 3-6. We will also participate in the private party Culinary Celebration from 5-7. Come get the finest in local gifts for everyone on your list.

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What an honor it is to live in this beautiful place with such extraordinary, generous people. Our Big R drive was an absolute success. Jon repackaged everything possible into “liquor store” boxes so it could be easily loaded into the “big trucks”. We had over 20 boxes! Plus the bags of pet food, flats of water or bulk paper products that wouldn’t fit! Now that is pretty awesome, right???? Do you know that donation jar had right at $1200??? This was in only two hours of collection! Amazing. And is it only coincidental that $1200 is about what it costs for the truck expenses to deliver the goods? The One Nation truck is already loaded for a trip tomorrow to the Navajo Nation, but will be coming back through here on Thursday and pick up our things for the next shipment. If anyone missed today or wants to donate in the next few days, you can drop things off at Code of the West Realty in La Veta from 9-5. (You will need to wear your mask and sanitize your hands!) They will collect for the cause Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thank you Cuchara Valley!!!!!

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Here is your opportunity to make a difference for the Native people that are being devastated by the current pandemic.  Huajatolla Heritage Foundation will once again partner with One Nation Walking Together from Colorado Springs to collect items for vulnerable populations for the Navajo Nation as well as a variety of other tribes.  Sandy Dolak will be available with all social distancing and masking precautions in the parking lot of Big R from 1-3PM in La Veta as a drop off site to only collect items identified as the most pressing needs (see list below) to add to shipments going to Native American hot-spots for Corona-19 activity. (Please: NO clothes or furniture at this time in order to address the high virus-related needs.)  Tribal people are being affected disproportionately by the devastating pandemic.  The Navajo Nation now has the highest per-capita Covid-19 infection rate after only New York and New Jersey, and the spread is not slowing.

Not only do many Native Americans suffer from the health problems and risks that increase vulnerability to Covid-19, they also have living conditions that rival any third world country.  Often there will be many intergenerational families with upwards of 8 to 12 members living in very cramped quarters; 30% do not have running water and 40% do not even have electricity.  Conditions are deplorable.  It is estimated that the average American home consumes 100 gallons of water per day while the average Navajo home consumes seven (7) gallons per day. Water that must be hauled often from sites many miles from the home. These conditions make it almost impossible to keep the virus at bay.

The most pressing needs we are collecting right now are: nonperishable food, water, baby diapers, baby food and formula, hygiene items/toiletries, feminine hygiene, Masks (disposable and fabric), Latex Gloves, Thermometers, Finger Pulse Oximeters, Paper products, Pet Food, ¼” Elastic, 100% Cotton & Flannel Fabric, Polypropylene, Thread, Needles, Machine Needles, Cleaning Supplies, Cleaning Wipes, Liquid Hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer. And as always, cash donations are always appreciated. Donations help so much in either buying items that are in short supply or help in transporting the goods to the people in need. 

If you cannot come out Saturday, you can help by making a financial donation or finding out more at One Nations website: www.onenationwt.org or call or text Sandy Dolak at 719-251-1271 for more information

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Ricky Tims, one of La Veta’s most talented fiber artists and generous citizens, donated over 200 yards of fabric on behalf of the Quilt Show to become fabric masks for Native American tribes. The fabric was appreciatively accepted by Kathy Turzi, Executive Director of One Nation Walking Together that is working closely with various mask makers and Native groups to provide much need fabric masks to vulnerable Lakota and Navajo populations. Native American populations are the poorest of the poor in the United States and are being disproportionately affected by the devastating effects of the corona-19 virus.

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HUERFANO SOUP FOLLOW UP

Huajatolla Heritage Foundation is so grateful for the community support shown last week at the Huerfano Soup event at the La Veta Mercantile.  Emile Dubia from the Mercantile and Annalee Hickey from Bachman and Associates have done so much to promote non-profits; one of the results of this effort is the Soup event.  They invite three non-profits to a monthly event to present their efforts to community members.  That makes it sound so dry, but it is a lively event with wonderful cauldrons of soup provided and everyone chips in $5 and brings a side dish for sharing.  In return they get a ballot to choose the worthiest non-profit of the evening and that agency receives all the donations.

Even though we were not chosen as the “most worthy” winner, (the cycling group was the winner), they only “beat” us by one vote!!!!  Their project was worthy as they were using their donated funds to not only continue their cycling education for local kids, but to also purchase bicycle helmets for all our young cyclists.  How could we not be pleased for their success?

And we certainly were not losers in any sense of the word.  Not only were we able to get the word out about a great new project we are working on to a great group of people, but even had several kind donations after the voting to help further our work.  Thank you to everyone who was involved!

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Huajatolla Heritage Festival, Update

I have no excuses for my negligence in keeping posts current for Huajatolla Heritage Foundation. Sometimes the only thing I am Queen of is procrastination!

There are always good things happening behind the scenes with our fledgling non-profit. We sponsored a most successful Traditions Winter Market on December 7th. We were fortunate to participate in the Spanish Peaks Business Alliance on December 12th and had our work validated monetarily through donations of community members that believe in our mission of honoring cultural diversity in our area through art, education and presentation. We are so grateful to have others recognize the value of our work.

We are working on planning our 4th Huajatolla Heritage Festival. It will be June 6th and 7th and again held on the grounds of Francisco Fort Museum. We are fortunate that Shelly Morningsong and Fabian Fontanelle will be returning as our featured guests. Shelly was named the Native American Music Performer of the Year (as well as winning in two other categories). That will come as no surprise to any that got to meet Shelly and Fabian and see their performances. Not only are they world class performers, they also are two of the nicest, most sincere individuals I have ever met. In addition to appearing both days at the Festival, they will also be offering a concert to support our work Saturday evening, June 6th at the Mercantile. They put on performances around the world. We are so lucky they love La Veta!

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