Taos Pueblo will be one of the pueblos to benefit from the Pueblo Relief Fund. Photo Courtesy LANL
LANL NEWS
Triad National Security, the management and operations contractor of Los Alamos National Laboratory, has given $10,000 to assist New Mexico’s Native American Pueblos, which have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis. The funds will go to the Pueblo Relief Fund and be used to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and support tribal members.
The fund is administered by the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), and its assistance will cover essential disinfecting supplies, personal protective equipment, and food distribution.
“Our tribal communities are very tight-knit, and we have multigenerational housing within our Pueblos, so the immense scale of this pandemic has created intricate challenges in the delivery and expansion of preparedness resources to our tribal members,” said J. Michael Chavarria, chairman of the APCG.
“Now is a time where we have come together to support one another in this crisis, and [we] appreciate any support that can be afforded to our communities as we collectively address this emergency.”
Triad’s contribution will be directed to provide assistance in the following Northern New Mexico Pueblos: Cochiti, Jemez, Nambé, Picuris, Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara,Taos, and Tesuque.
Contributions from Laboratory employees are also being accepted through the Lab’s online donation system.
The All Pueblo Council of Governors represents the leadership of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and their sister pueblo, Ysleta del Sur in El Paso, Texas. The mission of APCG is to advocate, foster, protect, and encourage the social, cultural, and traditional well-being of Pueblo nations. Through its inherent and sovereign right, APCG promotes the language, health, and economic and educational advancement of all Pueblo people.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. The IPCC serves as a hub for the 19 pueblos, and is an organization that supports the cultural, social, educational, and economic needs of Pueblo communities. The IPCC is a 501(c)(3) organization and will serve as the fiscal agent for the Pueblo Relief Fund.