Through our Partner Spotlight blog series, we have had the opportunity to get a firsthand glimpse into the resiliency, the tenacity, and the strength that organizations and individuals across New Mexico have demonstrated when their communities are in need. Few exemplify these qualities better than our Partner, Indigenous Lifeways (ILW).
Indigenous Lifeways is an organization with decades of on-the-ground experience in serving the needs of their communities. As an Indigenous-oriented organization, they have used traditional knowledge, ceremonies, and an intimate understanding of their communities to provide education, resources, and facilitate opportunities toward health and prosperity.
During this last year, ILW shifted gears and began working collaboratively with other organizations like McKinley Mutual Aid which organized and established a rapid supply-chain to distribute resources to rural communities in need. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, they were able to quickly mobilize and provide food, water, fuel, PPE, and more to groups in their area who were unable to obtain these crucial supplies that many of us have taken for granted during these challenging times.
Since the genesis of the organization’s existence, ILW has sought to work through partnership to be a frontline voice addressing food justice, access to clean water, racism, education, and generational trauma. And in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, ILW’s priorities have strengthened. Being on the ground, members of these organizations have a direct connection and understanding of the needs of their communities. Moving forward, ILW hopes to see better consideration and collaboration at the state level to best determine and fill these needs.
Community-specific solutions are the way to go, particularly for rural communities on the outskirts of the urban centers. At ReNew Mexico, we believe that one solution that addresses infrastructure and energy needs in rural areas is fostering renewable energy project development, which would provide jobs and additional revenue and resources to rural communities.
It’s not often that we are left stunned by the light of individuals and organizations like ILW. We’re thankful for their partnership and we look forward to working with them to assist in meeting our communities’ needs. ILW and McKinley Mutual Aid intend to continue developing their communities, fostering community dialogues about the gaps in needs, expanding their team, and continuing food distributions. We invite you to check out the incredible work Indigenous Lifeways is involved with here.