Starting in June 2020, Rising Hearts has been partnered, collaborated and worked with other Native organizations, individuals and companies to procure masks, face shields and supplies for Native communities, families and individuals. We saw our relatives and communities scared and unprotected, so this program was created to help. Mitakuye oyasin - we are all related covid19 relief program is here to provide direct support for our Indigenous communities but also to our friends and allies.

Since April 2022, this program has performed to what it was able to do and meant to do during a time of need and protection. We are truly grateful to all of our partners, donors, and community for donating, for creating, for making masks, and helping us distribute these life saving items for community. We exist as a living entity, not just an organization. So when things happen that impact our communities, we mobilize and do what we can to do help. Wopila tanka, many thanks for being part of this heart work with us!

Our first partner was with Seeding Sovereignty to where we organized the Running for the Health of All Nations virtual 5k to fundraise money to support our COVID relief efforts, followed by 4 more virtual runs to help.  To date, we have mailed out over 8,300 masks, over 2,500 face shields, hand sanitizer and wipes to over 40 Native organizations, families, individuals and more. It has been a hard year for so many and we are grateful and appreciative to have this platform that was inspired by so many, like Return to the Heart Foundation, Protect The Sacred, Hopi / Zuni Relief, NDN Collective, Suay Sew Shop, Seeding Sovereignty, SLC Air Protectors and the dozens more that answered the call to do something and protect our relatives and communities.

Where have the masks, faceshields, wipes and sanitizer gone?
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (Sharon Bingen, Sharonna LeCompte, Deb Hokpins)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sam Iyotte)
Oglala Sioux Tribe (Janet Whiting)
Sisseton-Wapheton Sioux Tribe (Allison Renville)
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (Autumn Harry)
Indigenous Women Hike (Jolie Voleria)
UAII
Running Strong for American Indian Youth
International Mayan League (Juanita Cabrera Lopez and Basillo Castro in Florida chapter)
St. Joseph's Indian School (Mike Tyrell)
Wabakani Public Health (Esther Mitchell, Lisa Sockabasin)
Native Wellness Institute (Shalene Joseph, Jillian Joseph)
MMIWhoIsMissing (Denae Shanidiin)
Sheyenne Lewis (Nurse in ABQ - distributed to staff, and community)
Sicangu CDC
Camp Mniluzahan
Strong Hearted
Gallup Indian Medical Center
Anahuacalmecac School
Utah Navajo Health System
Rhiannon Velasquez (distributed to hospitals, community in Rapid city)
BJ Swimmer (distributed to community in Utah, and back in Pine Ridge, Rosebud)
Breanna Lameman - AZ communities
Sebi Medina-Tayac - DC community
Kayenta School District
James Hopkins University for their covid distribution programs across the country
Individual mailing masks of 10-50 masks at a time x 77

Supporting collaborators: