Navajo Santa
Ya’at’eeh Keshmish, a non-profit organization known as Navajo Santa, strives to enhance the lives of Navajo people living in southeast Utah through the spirit of giving while fostering trust and respect between cultures.
Throughout history, Navajos living on the Utah Strip of the Navajo Nation are among the most isolated and neglected groups in the United States.
Navajo Santa’s efforts bring relief, aid, support, and a bit of cheer to Navajo students, elders, chapter houses, and families in need, not just during the Christmas holidays but all year long.
Navajo Santa
Family Delivery
Based on a Sub-for-Santa model, this program reaches families on the Navajo Nation who are most isolated and with the greatest need. Those who have suffered a job loss, house fire, medical emergency, or other distress make their way onto our lists.
Navajo Santa
Goes To School
Navajo Santa Goes to School program provides school-aged children living on the Utah Strip of the Navajo Nation, with school supplies and aims to encourage student confidence and joy in learning.
Navajo Santa
Senior Program
The senior program was established to serve Navajo elders. Each year we interview administrators of the Chapter House Senior Centers obtaining a “wish list” of needed items for their facilities and programs.
Navajo Santa
Education Initiative
With the goal to expand the educational experience for high school students living on the Navajo Nation, Navajo Santa offers financial support for extracurricular activities that include cultural enhancement and field trips.
Navajo Santa
Sustainability Program
Many areas on Navajo Nation are very remote, with numerous people still living without running water and electricity. Navajo Santa strives to support the Navajo community through funding of items that provide a greater, sustainable standard of living to individuals, families, and chapter houses.
Navajo Santa News
Navajo Santa Goes to School at Tse’Bii’Nidzisgai Elementary
Navajo Santa welcomed the students of Tse'Bii'Nidzisgai Elementary of Monument Valley back to school on August 19. Each student received school supplies, a backpack and a school mascot sweatshirt. We provided the principal with a check for $2,000 to be used for needed...
Sweetwater Community Firewood & Wood Pellet Project
With the help of community volunteers and family members, 150 forty-pound bags of wood pellets were divided and delivered to 12 elders and 100 cords of firewood were separated and dispersed to 94 elders and families as most of their homes are heated solely by...
Food Delivery to Westwater Diné Community
Navajo Santa had a very rewarding and successful food delivery at the Westwater Diné Community on June 4. We coordinated the delivery with Briana Austin, our Navajo contact at the community and the Chapter President, Thomas Chee. The families were notified of the...
What People Say
The experience we get is incredible and it means just as much to us, as it does to the communities we serve. Our family gets to meet and support some of the world’s most amazing people, in need of so much.
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