By Muna Hijazi | HSP Program Coordinator
This past spring and summer, two Partners in Service teams served with HSP in Arizona, partnering with Apache farmers to clear ancient irrigation canals and mend fences around traditional fields, as well as restoring the learning garden at historic Theodore Roosevelt School.
“We were fortunate to host two amazing teams this year—one from Michigan Tech and the other, cherished long-term partners Annandale UMC and Tempe UMC. The university students engaged in physically demanding work that played a vital role in building our community. The second group returned to reconnect with us and take part in a talking circle dedicated to our people and our stories. The experience of sharing these moments was incredibly meaningful. In a small community like ours, where few have the opportunity to meet people from outside that community and share their stories, these talking circles are both transformative and healing.” — Shalitha “Shy” Peaches, HSP Apache partner and Arizona service team leader
HSP is currently building service teams to Arizona in 2024, with a focus on July-September, when lots of help is needed for planting and harvesting. If you would like to join or lead a team to AZ this upcoming year, just let us know.
Sign Up to Serve in Arizona with the Apache
The HSP team also helped win over $225,000 in grants to support the work of our Apache partners. The Leveller Foundation and the Growing Justice Fund awarded a combined $184,000 to help start the new White Mountain Farmers Cooperative, with the vast majority of these funds going towards shared infrastructure, equipment and supplies. Over $42,000 was awarded by the Vitalyst Health Foundation and a matching land restoration grant, towards both restoring traditional fields as well as education for community members on agriculture and wild foods. The focus will be on recognizing and understanding traditional food and land as medicine for Apache people, incorporating cultural teachings and language revitalization.
#Apache #Arizona #NativeFoods #WildFoods #Indigenous #FoodWays #Service #ServiceTeam #ServiceLearning
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