One of our goals is to support and train Native families to garden again. Historically, Navajo agriculture understood farming techniques to grow their own food for sustainability in combination with a deep theocracy expressed in their way of life. They harvested enough crops to dry and store for the winter. Our Navajo elders knew how to communally survive off of the land and understood collective support from neighbors and friends.
This year, 2017, Covenant Pathways plans to make a push to teach and model a sustainable way of life through organic biological processes in Native American communities though farming and food preservation. We plan to seek and incorporate wisdom and information from our Navajo elders for contemporary application. Our ventures will offer opportunities for economic development, while continuing to engage in community outreach.
This past year we have been able to increase the amount of fresh vegetables we were able to donate to elders and families in our community. We have a hoop house we are putting together and will begin planting in March. The extended growing season we get from the hoop house will allow us to increase the amount of food harvested throughout the year.
In addition to community meals we serve in the Hogan and the community food drives, we teach classes on making soap, dehydrating food, making compost and gardening. We already have a number of classes scheduled into the new year including a class on couponing. We are always looking for opportunities and instructors to teach classes.
We have been able to provide part time work for some of the community workers this past year, but would like to offer more, especially with the high unemployment in our community. As the non-profit grows we would like to be able to increase the work opportunities in a way that benefits the community, whether it is helping to start and increase the harvest in gardens so natives can sell their produce at the local farmers markets, raising chickens to supply their own eggs or selling them, or just providing home repairs and putting local community members to work. One of Joyce’s co-workers, a single mom, was describing her home, of how the floors are falling through, and she is raising 3 children on her own with no running water or electricity. She has no idea of how she will be able to make these repairs. This is just one example of the many needs on the reservations, and one of the many needs Covenant Pathways would like to be able to have a positive impact.
Some of the projects we have planned for this year are:
- Continue learning and training the community about growing and reintroducing the biology into the soil.
- Continue to hire local community members to assist with the projects and apply the farming and gardening knowledge they learn at home and with their neighbors.
- Build a guest cabin to use for guests, trainers, and workers – the foundation is completed!
- Install a septic tank for both the Hogan and cabin.
- Host food dehydration and couponing classes. Plan to schedule more sustainable living and other life skills classes.
- Continue food drives and community meals. We have a food drive planned for February 25th. We are asking for donations of money and food to impact many Native families.
- Assist with local home modification needs in the local communities of Navajo and Zuni reservations.
We are always open to and encourage volunteers to teach classes and assist with projects here at the Hogan Community Center and to volunteer with the numerous opportunities impacting community needs.
