Jeanvieve Jerome, Turtle Mountain Ojibwe, sings before Gov. Jared Polis signs two executive orders on the steps of the state Capitol, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021
Get Vaccinated!
The COVID-19 and Delta Variant cases are rising in some tribal communities. This fact sheetsummarizes what you need to know to keep yourself and the elders in your community safe:
The Delta Variant spreads easier and quicker than the previous strains of the COVID-19 virus.
Unvaccinated people are at high risk of getting sick. People who have been fully vaccinated are well protected against severe disease from Delta and all other known strains of the virus. Delta is just one strain of COVID-19. The virus will continue to change and make new strains as it spreads from person to person.
See the value of vaccination in this video here, and share with family and friends who haven't been vaccinated yet.
Orange Shirt Day Oct. 2 at University of Denver
Please join us for Orange Shirt Day:Family Healing event on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021 to commemorate the boarding school experience, to support, witness and honor the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of justice and liberation.
Housing Survey - Final Call to Make Your Voice Heard!
The Native American Housing Circle is in the last push to ask community members to complete their housing survey. Please click here to make your voice heard and enter to win drawings! We will also be at the Friendship Powwow at Denver Indian Center this Sunday, Sept. 12. Come by to visit!
Staff Spotlight:
Johnny McCraigie
This month we are introducing the Housing Program Manager, Johnny McCraigie! Johnny helps to ensure DIFRC's housing program is stable and efficient. She also coordinates the Native American Housing Circle. Johnny was born and raised on the Colville reservation in Washington state. She left to go to college at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and then transferred to Colorado State University before ending up at DIFRC where she's been an asset to the team for more than a year.
Outside of work you'll find Johnny beading, beading and beading. She enjoys anything regarding art and wants to learn how to make ribbon skirts. She is also a cowgirl at heart and grew up riding horses from dusk to dawn growing up. "Yeehaw," she says.
AI COVID-19 Workgroup
Join fellow community members to get the facts on the COVID-19 vaccines from a medical expert and help develop material about the vaccines for the Denver American Indian community.
The first meeting kicks off from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15 via Zoom. You will receive $400 per cycle (8 total meetings) for your time and contribution
Click here for more information and to sign up today.
Polis Signs
Executive Order
On August 17, 2021 Governor Polis signed an Executive Order rescinding proclamations by Territorial Governor John Evans in 1864 that shamefully targeted and endangered the lives of the American Indians. Governor Polis was joined by Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and members of the Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe, and the Northern Arapaho Tribe, as well as members of Colorado's American Indian and Alaska Native communities. DIFRC staff members were able to witness this historic moment.
ICWA Corner
Did you know?
ICWA protects children’s and parents’ constitutional rights. ICWA provides additional procedural and substantive safeguards that recognize parents’ constitutional right to care for their child and the child’s corresponding right to family integrity.
Our success over the past two decades demonstrates that our services play a vital role in protecting American Indian and Alaska Native children and strengthening their families, especially as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As we expand services after the pandemic, we hope you can continue your support.
