What better way to spread the warmth of the holidays than to buy your Holiday gifts from a foundation that works to lessen the poverty and unemployment among the American Indians. The Southwest Indian Foundation has this goal for the American natives in the Southwest part of the United States, specifically members of the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Laguna,, Acoma, and Apache tribes. They are located in Gallup, New Mexico. Father Dunstan Schmidlin, a Franciscan priest had an urgency to do something for these people. He was deeply troubled by the quality of life for these forgotten Americans. In 1968, he established the foundation to help them in their plight.
I began to take a strong interest in the American Indian culture when I bought my home two years ago in Dahlonega, Georgia, where one of the saddest days in American History took place, the “Trail of Tears. From there, I learned more about the different organizations out there that benefited the Native Americans. The Southwest Indian Foundation strives to bring the pieces of the puzzle together by giving back dignity and self-reliance to these native people.
The Southwest Indian Foundation offers many wonderful gift items like apparel, jewelry, pottery, leather belts and purses as well as many other beautiful crafts. The best part is they are very reasonable with their prices. When you buy from them, you are making a difference in someone’s life. Many people are not aware of how unfortunate some of these native people are. For instances, you’re complaining about your heating bill? Well, 50% of Navajo homes burn wood as their main source of heat and many do not have safe wood burning stoves. You can even make donations for a family to have a new safe wood burning stove as well as other donations.
You can view their products and order online at www.southwestindian.com . However, I have noticed their website is very slow so I would call for a catalog at (505)-863-4037 and then order on the phone. They offer money back guarantee because their ultimate goal is to satisfy their customers.
I have ordered several items from them from a beautiful broom skirt to a Navajo man’s watch and I have been very satisfied with the products and the workmanship.
Think about it. Every Holiday you go to the crowded sick-laden malls in a rush to get that perfect gift. Most times, we don’t find it. And here, with the touch of your computer or telephone, you can spread more warmth to more families including your own by buying from this organization. We talk about how we see a lack of patriotism these days because of the results of the Iraq war. However, there is another type of patriotism in my opinion. Americans are the forgotten children of America. Show your Patriotism and love this Holiday by buying from the Southwest Indian Foundation or any American Indian foundation of your choice.
