NORTHERN DINÉ RELIEF EFFORT

​TEAM

RECENT YEARS: In 2020, food distribution to Northern Agency communities (chapters and "behind" chapters) was a super priority, and our coalition network efforts were intense, regular and dependable. 2020 food distribution efforts centered on food drive thrus, community pick-ups and "behind" community deliveries. Well into 2021, Navajo Nation CARES Act funds empowered families and chapters more, especially chapters as supply sources, and our team stood down for much of the year. In 2022, the pandemic entered strange new phases. Northern Relief's first responder teams continued to identify and fulfill concurrent needs and resources as we moved forward and, as always, expanding what encompasses "community" and ensuring local empowerment. In 2023 as the Navajo Nation opened up in February, it feels as if it is all in the rear view mirror. As we enter 2024, please all pray for clear roads and clear skies.

Eric Trevizo

Relief Effort Team Leader
Eric has been involved in Shiprock community rapid response for many years, previously as a leader of Shiprock A.L.E.R.T. (2015-16), recently renamed Shiprock Search and Rescue. During this COVID crisis, Eric has led COVID safety trainings at NAPI and Navajo Nation fire department, and distributed supplies throughout the Northern Agency even prior to joining the Northern Diné COVID-19 Relief Effort (NDCVRE). He has performed or coordinated deliveries to homebounds (seniors, disabled and COVID test positives) as well as aiding in food drive-thrus, including the Sanostee and Sheepsprings drive-thrus in June partnered with the chapters, ECHO Food Bank, Navajo Family Voices, and ALERT/CERT teams up and down the 491 corridor.

Since joining NDCVRE on June 28, Eric has hit the ground running, engaging and updating stakeholders and ALERT/CERT team members, performing outreach to both governmental and community organizations and volunteers, and arranging distribution of all supplies in NDCVRE's care within days to community members, using well-tested rapid response and supply distribution methods.

In Eric's own words: Eric is an Actor, Comedian/Bodyguard and Fire Fighter in and around the Navajo Nation where he coordinates Search and Rescues, leads safety classes and fights fires to help the communities on the Navajo Nation. Eric works closely with the public in San Juan County through various programs and in different communities with volunteering on the Reservation. Eric has the passion and heart especially in Search and Rescue to help minimize the missing people on the reservation. You can expect more than 100% of his commitment on any job that is assigned to him.

Fire Engine & CERT Teams, Community Volunteers

We thank our numerous volunteers, who all have to undergo Eric's COVID safety training prior to joining our team.

​Our volunteers provide their own vehicles, flat beds, and water barrels. Our team leaders provide them maximum support, including a safe and orderly schedule and care for volunteer morale, as well as reimbursements for spent resources. 

On behalf of the 20 communities we serve, thank you all so very very much. A'hee hee. 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

SPECIAL THANKS to Lynn Whipple, Regional Manager of Welfare and Self Reliance Services and missionaries at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for providing church grounds and facilities in Shiprock, volunteering often at short notice, and most of all for arranging quality meat dairy and produce deliveries for distribution to our communities in need of them.  A'HEE HEE.

Indian Country Grassroots Support

In addition to serving as fiscal sponsor, ICGS staff also handles the hotline, provides bookkeeping, logistic and procurement support, volunteers on-site drive thru and family delivery, and also web maintenance. 
Special thanks to Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Navajo Nation - Farmington Farms who provide refrigerated semi trucks and crews especially for long-distance supplies, drive thrus and home deliveries to remote Chuska Mountain and other Northern communities. Very very special thanks to Richard, John Hamby and Leon Notah for donated driver and crew time, forklifts and refrigerated semi trucks for long distance pickups and distributions including many winter weeks. After each trip the crew de-cons and deep-cleans the equipment involving steam cleaning and de-fogging the semi inside out to eliminate all bacteria between trips and providing their own mechanics for community assistance. 

Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA), Navajo Engineering & Construction Authority (NECA) & Central Consolidated School District (CCSD)

A special shout out to NTUA, NECA and Central Consolidated School District, which have quietly supported this relief effort through vital personnel and infrastructure support, including provision of forklift/driver, storage, lift jacks and specialized staff. NTUA has been amazing, providing forklift equipment and crews regularly for drive thru food distributions, especially at Shiprock LDS Church and Bethel Church. Very very special thanks to Mr. Wilfred Franklin and all the NTUA forklift drivers and crews who show up on time, even early, to assist, especially during COVID spread lockdown where family necessities are in critical need. ​

Stakeholders

This is not a complete list. Please revisit this page as a complete list of our stakeholders continues to be populated.
November 2020: Women have long been front and center when it comes to making things happen on the Navajo Nation. But never has that role been so apparent – or so perilous – as during the pandemic. Ever since the coronavirus arrived on the 27,000-square-mile reservation, women in this matriarchal society have been putting themselves at risk, taking on ever more responsibilities, culturally and in everyday life.  Please visit the Guardian.

Support Network

This is not a complete list. Please revisit this page as a complete list of our support network continues to be populated.
Thank you --

* Special Note

NDCVRE has operated continuously since March 26 2020. We began with heavy reliance on internet outreach. However, with so many residents unconnected and even without cell phones, since June we have used on on-the-ground personal knowledge and outreach through networks of needs- and rapid-response community-based teams to the most remote communities, targeting those without water, electricity or connectivity.

The pandemic was very hard but it is now in our rear view mirror, we pray.

We continue to be invested in community health and safety, especially through the flow of wellness and healing among all who are working so hard to provide support. 

​-- November 29, 2023
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