February 2022 Newsletter
Pictured: a sneak peek into The Denver Art Museum's latest exhibit: Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche. Check out how to get your free tickets below!
Exciting Transitions

Last month, Tara Manthey stepped down from her position as Executive Director so that she could spend more time on her family, and her health. She promised not to go far, and will continue to support DIFRC and the Native community in Denver as a volunteer and community member.

During the interim search for a permanent leader, Operations Director Marsha Whiting and Programs Director Verla Howell will co-serve to fill this position. Read more about their bio's below.

Here is a link to the job announcement for DIFRC Executive Director for anyone who might be a good fit. Thank you for helping spread the word.
Interim Co-Executive Directors
From Marsha, Operations Director:

“I look forward to working in development and supporting the amazing staff at DIFRC. I have worked in local and national Native non-profits in programmatic, administrative, grantmaking and leadership positions for over 16 years. I transitioned from a career in graphic design and importing into my first non-profit position at DIFRC in 2005. Since then, I have served three terms as board member and was the board chair for the last two.
 
I am an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and am also Sicangu Lakota. I like to travel and go to pow wows."
Verla Howell
Pawnee
Program Director
Community Announcements
An Online Event: The Indigenous Boarding Schools and Multigenerational Trauma

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 from 6:00-7:15 PM MST

Jerilyn DeCoteau (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) will share a slide presentation about the history and ongoing consequences of the Indian boarding schools. As an attorney, Jerilyn specialized in Indigenous law. She is co-director of Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples and past president of the board of directors of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

Register online HERE
Free Denver Art Museum Tickets!
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to view a groundbreaking exhibition called: Traitor,
Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche.

DIFRC has requested a limited amount of tickets from the Denver Art Museum to offer to the community for free. Please reach out to us if you'd like to request tickets at 720-500-1020.

Highlights at the Museum 
While Malinche has been the subject of numerous historical publications and works of art, Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche is the first museum exhibition to present a comprehensive visual exploration of Malinche’s enduring impact on communities living on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Five hundred years after her death, her image and legacy remain relevant to conversations around female empowerment, Indigeneity, and national identity throughout the Americas. Come experience the power of Malinche, now through May 8, 2022. 

Tuesday, March 8 
Tuesday, April 12 
Sunday, April 24 (Día Del Niño celebration) 
Where to get free KN95 and surgical grade masks
In support of the State of Colorado’s ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and assist in the mitigation of virus spread, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is now offering KN95 and surgical grade masks for free at public libraries and other community sites across the state that have agreed to be local redistribution points. You can view that list HERE.
Get Ahead Colorado
Visit GetAheadColorado.org to file your taxes for free, get free tax help, and find other resources that can help make your taxes easier. Many Colorado families and working people are eligible to get thousands in cash-back payments through the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. File your taxes today to see how much you can get. 


The IRS tax deadline is April 18, 2022. Visit GetAheadColorado.org to get help getting started on your taxes. Find free tax filing options, free tax help, and information on how to receive cash back through the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and other tax credits designed to help hardworking families. 
DIFRC Announcements
Native Youth Wellness Group

Calling all native youth ages 12-17!

Join us online for discussions on wellness and mental health. If you'd like to register, please contact Alyssa Willie at awillie@difrc.org or 720-500-1006

Groups are held Wednesday evenings from 4:30-6:00 PM on Zoom
Let's Talk Taxes!
An Online Informational Session for the Community

March 3rd 5:00-6:30 PM via Zoom

Our Partner, "Tax Help Colorado - Mile High United Way" will be sharing valuable information about child tax credits and more

Register online for free at: https://bit.ly/difrctaxes

If you have any general tax questions, let us know ahead of time at: https://forms.office.com/r/aY57XCHVr0

Please contact Uriah for questions or any accommodations needs:
ulittleowl@difrc.org or 720-500-1007

We won't be providing individual tax assistance, please visit www.taxhelpco.org for resources
Staff Spotlight
Alexa Rivera, Housing Navigator
Alexa is excited to begin at DIFRC, and looks forward to all the skills and experiences she will learn along the way.

She has always had a passion for helping others, and throughout college she worked in a number of mentoring, and caregiving programs.

Alexa is originally from Fresno, California and moved to Colorado in 2014 to attend CSU where she obtained a Bachelor of Social Work in 2018. She moved to Denver in 2019 to pursue new experiences and opportunities. 

On top of her love for social work, Alexa also loves animals and has two black cats that are named Baloo and Bambi. This year she is also hoping to explore Colorado more and take on photography.

You can reach Alexa at:
Cheyenne Engstrom, Data Specialist
This is Cheyenne's first role utilizing her degree out of college, and she is beyond excited for this chapter of her life to unfold. Before this, Cheyenne worked as a manager at Starbucks, so if you're looking for a mean cup of coffee, she's your girl.

She is a member of the Tuscarora Nation near Niagara Falls, but was born and raised in Denver. As a Denver native, she has fond memories of the Denver Powwows every Spring.

Outside of work, Cheyenne enjoys going to concerts, painting, cosplay, and sushi.

You can reach Cheyenne at: cengstrom@difrc.org
Uriah Little Owl, Community Programs Coordinator
Uriah is most excited to become an asset, not only for DIFRC, but also for the Indigenous community in, and surrounding the Denver area. 

This is Uriah's first role where he can apply his skills in a professional way, so he looks forward to learning, and helping all he can as he begins this journey.

Although he was born and raised in Greely, Colorado, he is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe of Montana. 

When he's not working, Uriah enjoys reading, writing, running and drinking coffee with his friends. One day, Uriah hopes to become a published author.

You can reach Uriah at:
We are adding to our team!

DIFRC is looking for our next
Family Engagement Specialist. If you're interested in working with Native families in the Denver Metro Area, we invite you to apply. Send a cover letter and resume to apply@difrc.org

ICWA Corner
Is ICWA based on race?
No, ICWA is not based on race, rather, ICWA applies to children who are citizens (referred to as “members” in ICWA) of a federally recognized tribe. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly found federal laws that specifically govern tribal citizens constitutional.

Citizenship requirements vary from tribe to tribe, just as citizenship requirements vary from country to country. ICWA does not apply to individuals who merely self-identify as American Indian or Alaska Native. 

To learn more about ICWA and it's resources, visit https://www.nicwa.org/
Include DIFRC in your gift giving plan and support American Indian and Alaska Native families. Donate today!