Amy Yeung, the Diné founder of Orenda Tribe, is continuously reinvesting her profits back into the Navajo Nation. She was doing so pre-pandemic, and now it’s her purpose, her sole (and soul) reason for being in business. “We can all shift and pivot and be a better use to humanity,” she recently told Native Business.
“I have a really intensive skill set as a business or fashion executive to apply to pandemic aid,” she added.
READ MORE: Diné Founder of Orenda Tribe Translates Her Entrepreneurial Mind to Pandemic Aid
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 12th, she has something special planned: The “Voices of Hwołdzil” Benefit Concert, to benefit domestic violence shelters on the Navajo Nation. The concert is once again co-presented and hosted by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Jewel.
This isn’t the first time Orenda Tribe, an Indigenous woman-owned sustainable clothing brand, and Jewel have teamed up to raise funds for the Navajo Nation, and it likely won’t be the last. They did so on July 5th for the Voices of Siihasin (Hope) Benefit Concert to support the Children of the Nááts’íilid project, meaning “children of the rainbows.” Funds generated by ‘Voices of Siihasin’ enabled Orenda Tribe and partner World Central Kitchen to deliver 47,000 food boxes to children, equating to 927,360 servings of non-perishable food — the largest food distribution project to take place within Dinétah.
Yeung and Jewel started their concert series to respond to the devastation that the coronavirus crisis has wreaked on the Navajo Nation. Orenda Tribe founded the Dził Asdzáán Command Center in March 2020, which has supplied four tons of food and more than 150,000 masks and other personal protective equipment to the Navajo Nation.
The second edition of the concert series supports shelters for survivors of domestic violence.
Amá Dóó Álchíní Bíghan (ADABI), a domestic violence shelter in Chinle, Arizona, has not received any funding since September 2019. Founded in 1989, the non-profit is the primary provider of services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, family violence, and dating violence in the Chinle Agency of the Navajo Nation.
“What strength, what courage, what perseverance our Navajo women have. Our women are our warriors. I honor them, I respect them. My sisters, my mothers, my granddaughters, my aunties and my daughters. That’s why I am here. This is why we do this work, because they are our strength,” said Lorena, ADABI director. “No matter what they are going through, they are smiling through their pain and caring for their families. They put one foot in front of the other and continue to take care of their children, our future. Diné women are resilient, we work to protect and care for them.”
The “Voices of Hwołdzil” Benefit Concert will be livestreamed on Jewel’s Facebook page. The concert will feature performances by world-renowned artists and Indigenous musicians and speakers such as: Allie Young (Diné), Amber Kanazbah Crotty (Diné), Cher Thomas (O’odham, Yuman), Dion Tapahe (Diné), Dirt Rhodes (Diné), Erin Tapahe (Diné), Hataałii (Diné), Jana Pfeiffer (Diné), Jewel, JohAnni Begaye (Diné), Jolene Holgate (Diné), Kase, Kinsale Hueston (Diné), Black Belt Eagle Scout (Swinomish, Iñupiaq), Lorena Halwood (Diné), Mato (Oglala Lakota), Neon Nativez (Diné, San Carlos Apache), Nizhonniya (Tlingit/Diné), Radmilla Cody (Diné, Naahiłii), Raye Zaragoza (Akimel O’otham Decent), RY X, Sunni Begay (Diné), Talibah Begay (Diné), Deb Halaand (Pueblo of Laguna).
To help Orenda Tribe and Jewel reach their goal of $200,000 you can register and donate here, or text ORENDA to 707070.
“These shelters provide safety and security for our relatives experiencing trauma. It breaks my heart to see and hear what they have been subjected to during the COVID-19 pandemic. They should not have to rely on donations for the critical aid they provide.” Yeung said in the release. “The Dził Asdzáán Command Center is dedicated to uplifting these shelters and providing them with the support they need, as a collective of Diné matriarchs, we understand the importance of protecting each other and sharing love with our relatives.”
