Safety and Security for All - COVID Relief in Indigenous Communities
The world was in a state of panic in March 2020 when the pandemic struck. The virus quickly spread and left many people struggling to survive. Information was limited and as was systematic support.
We received updates from different Indigenous communities that were facing deaths and a shortage of food and personal protective equipment (PPE). The health clinics of a majority of these communities were also lacking in medical supplies.
OJI:SDA’ mobilized our community and our supporters across the United States. We were grateful to receive collaboration from other organizations to further our mission.
Thank you to Sew You Care Native American Indigenous Outreach, Tonatierra Organization, Nurse Station LLC, Emmy’s Organics and the many individuals from diverse communities who lovingly collaborated with us. They assisted with donations of time, money and supplies to help these efforts succeed.
When we first started out, we had a network of communities with which our initial locations of focus were. We initially focused our effort on communities we were already connected with, the Yaqui communities of Sonora, Mexico and the Seneca community of upstate New York. Through these partnerships, we were able to respond to a network of communities that they have relationships with as well. This helped us amplify our humanitarian disaster response.
In response to the COVID pandemic we were able to achieve the distribution of:
10,000+ hygiene masks, 260 gallons of sanitizer and medical supplies to Indigenous communities in Mexico and to the Red Cross clinics associated with those communities
food and food bearing trees to the Seneca Nation community
traditional Indigenous medicine and medicinal herb blends to different Indigenous communities across North America (our Plant Care program grew out of this response).
We considered security and safety a priority in our work. This included physical safety and emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
Words from OJI:SDA’ Executive Director on this Disaster Response:
“Hundreds of strangers across North America sewed and helped facilitate an abundance of support for our communities and other Indigenous communities and for the clinics.
It was such pure light and generosity from people of different cultures and faiths and communities. This essence of humanity is of love.”
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OJI:SDA’ Sustainable Indigenous Futures
OJI:SDA' mobilized it's community and supporters in response to affected Indigenous communities during the COVID pandemic. The priority is security and safety in our work. This includes physical safety and emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
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