The wonderful return of NAYA’s Foster Care Sibling and Family Enrichment Nights. After a hiatus due to COVID-19, NAYA is proud to announce the return of its Foster Care Sibling and Family Nights, offering a unique opportunity for siblings and families in the foster care system to reconnect through enriching cultural experiences and activities. For Native American youth navigating the foster care system, maintaining connections with siblings and family members can be a challenge. Recognizing the importance of preserving these bonds, NAYA’s Foster Care Sibling Family Enrichment Visit Nights prov ..read more

In a collaboration that ignited the flames of ambition and opportunity, NAYA joined forces with Portland Community College (PCC) to offer a unique spring camp experience for our high school students. At the heart of this partnership was PCC’s special mobile welding unit, providing campers with a hands-on introduction to the world of welding and fabrication. As the sparks flew and metal sizzled, the campers, donned in their safety gear, got to work under the guidance of experienced instructors from Portland Community College. For many of them, this was their first time wielding a welding torch ..read more

As we commemorate half a century of dedicated service and advocacy, we reflect on our journey and celebrate our profound impact. Since our inception in 1974, we have been committed to uplifting Native American youth and families, foster resilience, and promoting cultural reclamation and sovereignty.  Over the past five decades, NAYA has evolved into a thriving community center, providing sanctuary, hope, and empowerment through comprehensive support services, educational opportunities, and cultural enrichment programs to thousands of Native community members. From early childhood educatio ..read more

Houselessness is a critical issue in Portland, with Native Americans disproportionately represented in Multnomah County. NAYA’s Youth Housing Services (YHS) works to change that for the nearly 93 youth, ages 16-24, served by the program through offering housing and other basic human needs like food, hygiene products, childcare, and connection to culture.   YHS is part of a greater vision for the Native community to create paths for self-determination. According to NAYA Youth Housing Manager, Jordan Palmer, Coquille, “Experiencing homelessness can mean a variety of things. This includes co ..read more

NAYA serves a large and diverse Native American community–60,000 people representing more than 380 tribes. Each member of our community has a unique pathway to thrive and prosper, and NAYA is dedicated to be in service to all. Here’s a look back at some of our achievements of the past year: TOGETHER, we continue to provide our community the essential support when they need it the most, ensuring that our youth and families: Stay healthy with fresh produce grown in our community garden, which in 2023 providing 8,000 lbs. of beautiful vegetables and traditional foods that were distributed in me ..read more

On a beautiful, sun-lit afternoon in mid-December 2023, we celebrated the Grand Opening of munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali, [moonk-YEH-lǔn SAH-hah-lee] meaning “to help up, to boost” in the Chinook language. munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali [moonk-YEH-lǔn SAH-hah-lee] is NAYA’s new service hub in the Cully neighborhood and home to NAYA’s suite of community economic development and prosperity programs, including Our 42nd Ave., Cully Blvd. Alliance, NAYA microenterprise programs, and NAYA’s Green Workforce Academy. In addition to its function as an office for NAYA’s business development staff, munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali [moonk ..read more

On the heels of an incredibly inspiring UnThanksgiving event in NAYA’s community garden, and an amazingly bountiful harvest this year, the reality that our community continues to face food insecurity comes sharply into focus.   Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have prepared for the scarcity of winter with traditional ways of preserving and putting food by. The Spring Solstice, a time of rejoicing and gratitude, marked a shift from scarcity to plenty. The arrival of the first foods was significant, as it marked the end of hunger and the beginning of abundance.   Today, food i ..read more

While we celebrate and honor the cultures, traditions, and histories of Native American communities during National Native American Heritage Month, at NAYA we celebrate our heritage and resilience year-round and in everything we do. Foundational to our work and mission, continued innovation and adaptation allows us to expand our programs to better serve our community.   One of the areas of which we are most proud is the growth and innovation in our affordable housing developments. In fact, about six years ago we were assessing our capacity to operate affordable housing effectively. Instea ..read more

On September 16, the Portland region’s Native community, NAYA staff, and allies came together for the first in-person powwow in nearly four years. NAYA’s campus was transformed as drummers and dancers gathered in the pavilion, vendors filled the gymnasium with their crafts and wares, and honorees and guests participated in our honoring ceremony. It was truly a sunny day! The 11th Annual Neerchokikoo Powwow was also a celebration of the completion of the “Return to Neerchokikoo” Campaign ensuring that NAYA’s campus remains a safe and permanent home for the Portland area’s Native community. NAYA ..read more

On August 28, community members, youth, and elders gathered in anticipation for the first in-person Portland Youth and Elders Council (PYEC) since 2019. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, this meeting was an affirmation of how we thrive when we get together.   Long-time friends reconnected with hugs and laughter, and the evening kicked off with a welcoming blessing from elder and revered PYEC participant Ed Edmo, Shoshone Bannock. In the tradition of sharing a meal, a delicious dinner was served courtesy of the NAYA kitchen.    NAYA’s Policy, Advocacy, and Community Engagement ..read more