Deer Hill Foundation

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS AND CROSS-CULTURAL SERVICE PROJECTS ON THE COLORADO PLATEAU; PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE FOUR CORNERS REGION; AND STAFF EDUCATION TO INCULCATE BEST PRACTICES IN THE DELIVERY OF THESE PROGRAMS.

THE DEER HILL FOUNDATION (DHF) AWARDS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS AND CROSS-CULTURAL SERVICE PROGRAMS. AWARDS ARE BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED. THESE EXPERIENCES PROMOTE GREATER SELF AND CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EMPOWERMENT FOR HIGH POTENTIAL STUDENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO AFFORD PROGRAM COSTS. THE THREE-ELEMENT PROGRAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF RAFTING, NATIVE SERVICE AND MOUNTAIN BACKPACKING OVER A THREE WEEK PERIOD SERVED 18 STUDENTS FOR A TOTAL OF $53,063 IN SCHOLARSHIPS. THE TWO-ELEMENT PROGRAM WHICH CONSISTS OF RAFTING AND NATIVE SERVICE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MONTEZUMA AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, COLORADO SERVED 24 STUDENTS WITH A TOTAL OF $16,081 IN SCHOLARSHIPS. COVID REGULATIONS CAUSED MAJOR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND REDUCED INTERACTION IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITES. THE NUMBER OF PROGRAMS AND THUS, STUDENTS AND HOURS OF SERVICE WERE REDUCED COMPARED TO PRE-PANDEMIC YEARS.

COVID DEVASTATED INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO. WITH SO MANY FAMILIES ALREADY LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, NATIVE PEOPLES ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO POOR HOUSING, UNEMPLOYMENT AND LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. MANY WERE FACED WITH THE CHOICE BETWEEN FEEDING THEMSELVES OR THEIR ANIMALS. SOME HEATED THEIR HOMES EVERY OTHER DAY TO SAVE ON UTILITIES. THESE CONDITIONS WERE COMPUNDED BY A HARSH WINTER AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS. EVERY FAMILY HAS STORIES OF LOSS, EVEN DEATH DURING THE PANDEMIC.THE DEER HILL FOUNDATION (DHF) REACHED OUT TO ALL OF ITS NATIVE HOST FAMILIES, OFFERING THEM WARM CLOTHING, BLANKETS, FRESH FOOD, CANNED GOODS, SLEEPING BAGS, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, CLEANING AND SANITATION SUPPLIES, FIREWOOD, COAL, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND FEED FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK. FACED WITH CLOSURES IN THE NAVAJO, HOPI AND ZUNI NATIONS, DHF ATTAINED SPECIAL PERMISSION TO PERSONALLY DELIVER THESE GOODS TO THE NATIVE HOSTS AND THEIR EXTENDED FAMILIES.

THE DEER HILL FOUNDATION (DHF) SUPPORTS CROSS-CULTURAL PROJECTS ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI AND ZUNI COMMUNITIES IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO. DHF PROVIDES LOGISTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT AS WELL AS TOOLS, MATERIALS, AND SUPPLIES. CROSS CULTURAL SERVICE: 5 YOUTH GROUPS, FOR A TOTAL OF 67 STUDENTS WENT ON 4 DAY SERVICE PROJECTS FOR A TOTAL OF 2144 SERVICE HOURS. PROJECTS INCLUDED BUILDING FENCE, IRRIGATION, TREE PLANTING, COMMUNITY GARDEN, SHADE ARBOR, PLANTING, CLEANING, TENDING SHEEP AND CLAY WHITEWASH IN PREPARATION FOR KACHINA DANCES ON HOPI MESA.CONSERVATION SERVICE: 6 YOUTH GROUPS, FOR A TOTAL OF 97 STUDENTS WENT ON 3 1/2 DAY LONG SERVICE PROJECTS FOR A TOTAL OF 2716 HOURS. PROJECTS INCLUDED TRAIL WORK AND SIGNAGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLM, AND GENERAL FARM WORK TO SUPPORT THE MONTEZUMA LAND CONSERVANCY IN CORTEZ, CO. COVID HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE NATIVE COMMUNITES AND MORE YOUTH ELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE PROJECTS AS OPPOSED TO HOST COMMUNITY SUPPORT