MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello everyone, I hope this message finds you well. Where did November go?! This was an extremely busy month for me, I was busy with foundation work, board events (boards that I sit on), traditional activities, and educational opportunities!

For those who may not know, I serve as the co-coordinator of the New Mexico Tribal Planners Roundtable (NMTPR). Established in 2010, the NMTPR is a gathering of planners and community development practitioners who meet to discuss common issues and seek solutions to the unique challenges faced by Native American communities. We recognize and explore how Tribal planning differs from municipal and county planning, sharing “best practices” and updates on current projects. Our meetings serve as a platform for networking and information sharing to help identify relevant resources. We also encourage planning students to participate in the Roundtable to gain a deeper understanding of Tribal planning.

We meet four times a year, and our last meeting of 2024 took place on November 5, hosted by the Indigenous Design and Planning Institute at the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning. During this meeting, we heard presentations from several notable speakers. A group of Landscape Architecture students presented their studio project related to a Navajo farm. Ms. Tamar Randall, representing “Tree NM,” spoke about initiatives to engage more Indigenous communities in tree planting. Dr. Sharon Hausam presented her work on the “Intermountain West Transformation Network and Indigenous Engagement.” Lastly, Ms. Sharlynn Rosales discussed “Housing New Mexico Tribal Initiatives.” Our tribal planners left with valuable information to take back to their home communities. If you would like to learn more about the NMTPR, please feel free to reach out to me.

Earlier this month, I attended the Keres Children’s Language Center Language Symposium at Buffalo Thunder, and it was an inspiring event. It was a pleasure to see the children of KCLC speaking the Keres language, and it was encouraging to hear from representatives of other tribes discussing their language journeys. The symposium provided a wealth of information for all attendees. One aspect that was new to me were the community-building exercises. The MC of the event, Mr. Leroy “Buster” Silva, led participants in activities that “broke the ice” and made everyone laugh, which was a lot of fun! Additionally, KCLC staff hosted two panels. In the first panel, they discussed the growth of KCLC and its funding. In the second panel, they highlighted their junior mentor and apprentice program. This program emphasized the use of the Keres language first, followed by gestures and props, which helps eliminate the use of English in their educational environment.

I also found the presentation from the A:shiwi Tribal College impressive. They are currently developing a Pre-K program in which students do not embark on their language journey alone. Each student must have a designated family member who will go through the learning process with them. This collaborative approach allows both the student and the family member to learn the language together, ensuring they can continue to converse in Zuni when they leave the school environment and go home. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the symposium (see photos below), and I look forward to next year’s event!

At the Chamiza Foundation, we’ve been busy preparing for some changes coming in 2025! As mentioned in our newsletter last month, we’ve made updates to our application process. If you need a revised copy of the application, you can easily download it from our website. Simply visit our site, click on the “Apply” tab, select “Apply,” and scroll to the bottom of the page to click the “Download Application” button. If you encounter any issues, please feel free to contact me. Additionally, in last month’s newsletter, I shared important information for those planning to submit applications that include digital media or technology components. If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please visit our “FAQ” page or reach out to me directly.

I was recently invited to join the Host Committee for the 2025 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) Forum, which will take place at the Tamaya Resort from June 9-12, 2025. The SAFSF Forum is a unique conference designed for a diverse group of funders, including philanthropic organizations, investors, and community finance institutions. It offers an opportunity to engage with peers, movement leaders, and practitioners nationwide, all united by a shared mission to promote an equitable and sustainable food and agriculture system. SAFSF has also launched a Request for Ideas (RFI) initiative, aimed at gathering proposals throughout the year for their programming, particularly in preparation for the 2025 Forum. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, January 12. If you are interested in learning more, please visit: https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/request-for-ideas/. Additional information can also be found below.

If you have any questions about our foundation or questions about a program or project you want to work on do not hesitate to reach out to me. I can be reached by email at: executivedirector@chamiza.org. Take care and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amanda J. Montoya

The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF)

SAFSF Request for ideas

The RFI is designed to be accessible and inclusive, allowing potential collaborators to share their ideas without the need to submit full proposals upfront. By simplifying the submission requirements and engaging a wide range of voices—from frontline communities and movement leaders to funders, government leaders, field-based practitioners, and other stakeholders—SAFSF aim’s to create a program that is representative of diverse perspectives. SAFSF will be offering two Open House sessions to review the process and respond to Frequently Asked Questions. Additional details about what SAFSF is looking for, submission requirements, selection criteria, and more are available on their website. If you have any questions, please reach out to events@safsf.org. SAFSF looks forward to seeing your ideas and finding ways they can collaborate to create a more just and sustainable food and agriculture system.