PWNA connecting Native communities, offering a scholarship

NEBRASKA -- One advocate for midwest Native Americans is currently at the "Lakota Food Summit," learning about different ways to get resources to Native American communities. While there, he made time to speak with NCN about the ways he wants to grow native communities. 

Vice President of Programs for Partnership with Native Americans Rafael Tapia said he grew up relying on subsidies and now that he's grown beyond that; he wants to lift others up.

He focuses on a "nine-state-footprint" to improve quality of life through community organizing for communities with poor plumbing, low unemployment, and/or few homes. 

PWNA works with more than 300 partners, some in Nebraska, to address food shortages; low-affordable housing; and even animal welfare.

"You have people facing the most adverse challenges, and [...] they're motivated!" Tapia said.

Some of the challenges of addressing those, which Tapia lists, include: multiple levels of jurisdiction on reservations; few resources; and inconvenient locations that are usually 40 or 50 miles away from large stores.

Particularly now, the winter can prevent residents from reaching grocery stores.

"Short term, get the supplies in the community [....] long term, grow these assets and strategies for solutions," Tapia said of PWNA's goals. 

Another way he's helping people is by launching the American Indian Education Fund's scholarship, open now. You can apply here.