MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greetings, everyone! I hope this message finds you well. Here at the Chamiza Foundation, we have been quite busy! On October 10th, we hosted our Grant Writing Training, with attendees from several pueblos. I want to extend a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to our fantastic presenters from Brave Girls and the Pueblo of Pojoaque Tewa Language Department.
During the training, I announced some changes to our application process. There are two main updates:
- The Chamiza Foundation will now require applicants to provide two contacts on the application. The first contact should be the primary representative of the program or organization. The second contact can either be another team member or the primary Pueblo liaison if you are a non-Pueblo entity working on a project for the Pueblo.
- We will also now require both the primary and secondary/Pueblo liaison contacts to sign the application. The purpose of having two contacts is to ensure the foundation has a consistent and reliable point of contact for the project.
Additionally, during the training, I mentioned other things you can do to strengthen your application:
- We recommend that you include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Pueblo and the non-Pueblo organization if you are partnering with one to complete your project.
- We recommend that you include a “Data Privacy Clause” in your MOU to ensure that the Pueblo’s project/program data is protected.
- If your project contains a digital media or technical component, we suggest that you consider the following questions before applying:
- Does the project respect user privacy and community data protection?
- Does the project promote fairness and equality?
- Does the project avoid harm to individuals or the community?
- Does the project align with relevant tribal laws and regulations?
- Does the project promote transparency and accountability?
- Does the project consider community engagement in the decision-making process for the use of technology?
- Does the project safeguard sensitive cultural information?
- Does the project protect intellectual cultural property?
Please keep in mind that these suggestions are for strengthening your application and are not required. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
Furthermore, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a heads-up on our application deadlines for 2025. We will begin accepting applications on January 10, 2025, for our first round of funding. The application deadline is February 7, 2025. Additionally, we will begin accepting applications on April 4, 2025, for round two. The application deadline is May 2, 2025, for our second and final round of funding. The Board will meet on March 7, 2025, to make grant awards for the February 7, 2025 deadline. The board will meet on June 6, 2025, for the May 2, 2025, deadline. Please note, if you need funding for the Summer of 2025, we recommend that you apply for the first round of funding. We will be accepting applications that focus on our traditional priority areas: language preservation, traditional architecture, sustainable agriculture, traditional arts and crafts, tribal and ancestral history; oral histories and storytelling, youth education and leadership, and intercultural exchange and education. Please contact me if you have any questions.
There are three ways that you can apply 1) You can complete your application online through our website, 2) You can email your application to apply@chamiza.org, or 3) You can send your completed application directly to me at executivedirector@chamiza.org . Please remember that I am available if you want to talk about a project idea/concept. I can also review your application before the deadline to ensure that you have included all the required information.
With that, wishing you all a Happy Halloween and Happy All Souls Day! Take care and be safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Amanda J. Montoya
Chamiza Foundation
Grant Writing Training
October 10, 2024
On October 10, 2024, the Chamiza Foundation held a Grant Writing Training at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Fourteen participants from eight different Pueblos attended the event. The Executive Director guided the participants through the grant application process, offering valuable tips for completing successful applications.
This was followed by a hands-on activity where participants practiced writing project descriptions. In the afternoon, we heard presentations from two past Chamiza awardees: Dalene Coriz, founder of Brave Girls, and Samuel Villarreal Catanach and Simone Catanach from the Pueblo of Pojoaque Tewa Language Department.
Participants also learned about the reporting requirements for Chamiza grants. Below are a few photos from the training.
Santa Ana Youth Hands-on Hydrology Outreach (SAYH2O) Summer Program: Water is Life-Learning Ancestral Water Uses/Cultural Exchange with Southern Ute
In June of 2024 the Chamiza Foundation provided support to the SAYH2O program for their youth summer program. The summer program focused on learning about ancestral water uses and a cultural exchange with Southern Ute. The program’s focus and goal was to teach the youth about how water is important and how it plays a vital role in all aspects of life as a Tamayame. The program staff taught the participants about water concepts using western science teachings and traditional knowledge of water. Additionally, students were taught about the history and cultural significance of the “woodrat”, how to make water pots, and they were taken on a rafting trip within the Pueblo boundaries.
Part of the summer program included a cultural exchange component with the Southern Ute tribe. Participants partook in activities and took lessons with the Southern Ute Cultural Program’s staff and youth. Santa Ana youth got the opportunity to visit the Southern Ute’s Cultural Center and Museum to learn more about the tribe. Additionally, they meet with Southern Ute’s Natural Resource Program to learn about their efforts for their tribe. The cultural exchange included an overnight camping trip in Southern Ute’s Lake Capote. In the evening, nightly story times were conducted with the Keres Teacher, Juan Montoya. Stories of the past were shared during this time. During downtime youth participants had the opportunity to explore and enjoy the outdoors while being able to learn how to fish and cook.
Chamiza Foundation visit to Santa Ana Pueblo
On Friday, October 4, 2024, our Executive Director was invited to the SAYH2O offices to receive a photo of the 2024 Summer Camp participants, a SAYH2O hoodie and a thank you letter from the Santa Ana Governor.
p.s. I am not wearing an eagle hat or headdress lol -Dr. Montoya
Left to right: Tammy Montoya, Santa Ana Pueblo Water Resource Division Manager, Amanda J. Montoya, Chamiza Foundation Executive Director, Dorothy Beecher, Environmental Education Community Outreach Coordinator.