The New Face of NABI!

CONTACT:  GinaMarie Scarpa 480-446-7052

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 1, 2010

NEW FACE OF NABI -NABI MORE THAN BASKETBALL!!!

The NABI Foundation has received its 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status and the Foundation has officially been launched. The NABI Foundation, funded through a generous donation from Ak-Chin Indian Community, will now organize the events that were once under Pod Productions, creators of the NABI tournaments, along with creating and implementing new ones! The NABI Foundation, governed by President Tex G. Hall, Vice-President Ernie Stevens Jr. and a dedicated Board of Directors, including NABI Co-founder Mark West, is committed to bringing quality programs to our Native American youth. The Foundation’s new website www.nabifoundation.org has been launched and we are hitting the ground running!!!  Be sure to log on and see all the exciting programs and events the Foundation has planned, to include:

• February 2011  NABI “Goes Primal” Youth Physical Education Program:

This exciting program, in partnership with AMENZONE, brings a basic exercise program that utilizes outdoor and natural surroundings to encourage our youth to adopt the importance of constant movement to stay active and healthy, with the hopes of combating childhood obesity and diabetes. This program will be part of the NABI Foundations mission to bring “free” programs to Native lands for youth ages 8-14. Presented by Ak-Chin Indian Community.

• March 2011  NABI Night with the Phoenix Coyotes:

This award program is designed for the youth who participate in the “Youth Physical Education Program”. The NABI Foundation will host the youth to a Phoenix Coyotes game, which includes an opportunity for all the kids to go on the ice and shoot a puck into the net!  Presented by Ak-Chin Indian Community.

• July 5-9, 2011  NABI Basketball:

The 9th Annual Native American Basketball Invitational, in partnership with the Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury and presented by Nike, N7, Ak-Chin Indian Community & Grand Canyon University, will once again take place in Phoenix; attracting teams from reservations all over the US and Canada, for ages 13-19. This year, to serve more youth, NABI will not be seeking NCAA certification and will be adding “Gold & Silver” divisions. This new format will allow more teams to compete, as well as add more games. Both the “Gold & Silver” division championship games will be played at the US Airways Center, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Team fees have also been reduced to only $500 per team!  Team fees include entry fee and team uniforms. For ages 13-19, register early-we are expecting our biggest turn out yet!

• July 2011 NABI Baseball:

The 4th  Annual Native American Baseball & Softball Invitational, in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks, is coming back in July! This exciting event takes place during the Arizona Diamondbacks Native American Recognition Game week, with all teams getting an opportunity to participate in the “parade of teams” as part of the opening ceremonies before the Diamondbacks game and receive a free ticket to the game too!

• Nov  2011 NABI “Chasing the Sun” 10k & Health Fair:

The 3rd Annual Chasing the Sun 10K & Health Fair, presented by Nike, N7, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Grand Canyon University and MERCK will once again attract runners from all over. This Native themed community event is created to inspire a healthy lifestyle to all that attend.  Proceeds from the 10K benefit the NABI Foundation Scholarship Fund. Event opened to the general public.

• Nov  2011 NABI “Chasing the Sun” Pow Wow & Indian Market:

The 3rd Annual Chasing the Pow Wow & Indian Market, in partnership with Ak-Chin Indian Community & Arizona Native Scene, presented by Grand Canyon University will take place in conjunction with the “Chasing the Sun” 10K and Health Fair. It will consist of a social Pow Wow that celebrates Native American music, dance and culture. The Indian Market will host Native American arts & crafts, music and food vendors. This is a free event opened to the general public.

• 2012 Future programs- Adult Basketball Tournament (18 & over), Native American Baseball Training Camp (ages 14-19) & Summer Overnight Youth Camp (ages 10-14)

These are just a few of the many exciting programs and events the NABI Foundation will be hosting in 2011 and plan for 2012. Be sure to log on to the NABI Foundations official website for information at www.nabifoundation.org. All information about how to make a donation, Foundation programs & events, Board of Directors and staff are posted on  the NABI Foundation’s official website. All proceeds benefit the NABI Foundation.

NABI Foundation

Funamentals of Fundraising Essential Skill Training for Non-profits in Rural & Native American Communities

AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising:

Essential Skill Training for Non-profits in Rural & Native American Communities
Friday, September 10, 2010 9AM – 4PM
Moenkopi Legacy Inn Conference Center (opened April 2010)
Junction Highways 264 & 160, Tuba City
Member / Non-member – $50
10% discount to multiple registrants from same organization

Topics will include:
• Overview of Fundraising in Rural and Native Communities
• Building and Sustaining Relationships
• Securing the Gift

Who should attend:
This workshop is designed for established and start-up organizations and will provide training for non-profit staff, volunteers, board members, or people just interested in learning more about fundraising.

Presenters:

Jim Anderson, Partner, GoalBusters Consulting LLC and AFP Master Teacher, specializes in analyzing donor
motivations, implementing marketing and social media campaigns, finding compelling stories for organizational case
statements, and making any special event more effective and fun. He has worked with the Hopi Education Endowment
Fund, The Hopi Foundation, and KGHR, among many others in support of their fundraising efforts. Jim has been a
Northern Arizona resident since 1982.

Alice Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE, Partner, GoalBusters Consulting LLC and AFP Master Teacher, has over nineteen
years of professional fundraising experience, and is a two-time honoree as AFP-Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. Alice is Vice Chair, Member Services for AFP International and the 90thprofessional worldwide to receive the ACFRE credential. She specializes in strategic and development planning, annual giving programs, grant writing, board development and fundraising coaching and training.

Vernon Kahe (Navajo/Hopi), Resource Development Manager, Hopi Education Endowment Fund is responsible for
developing and expanding relationships with individuals, corporations and foundations to secure support for the HEEF. Previously, as the Office Manager of the HEEF, he was responsible for all administrative aspects including policies & procedures which established the foundation for the fund. Vernon is a graduate of the Hopi High School and Northern Arizona University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Marketing.

For More Information and to Register Click Here

Tribal Leaders from Across Indian Country to Gather in Washington to Open Embassy of Tribal Nations

Historic Opening in Conjunction with White House Tribal Nations Summit

Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation 2009 Conference and Forum

The 2009 Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference and Forum hosted by the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities and East Central University Chickasaw Clemente Humanities Courses was held on April 16th, 2009 in Ada, Oklahoma. This first ever conference, in addition to the annual forum, was well received and those in attendance agreed that the event was an enjoyable learning experience. Held in the Estep Auditorium on East Central University Campus, there was also an accompanying Chickasaw Women’s Art Exhibit, Writing workshops with famed Chickasaw writer Linda Hogan, and a book signing, where Ms. Hogan signed her new book People of the Whale.

In addition to Ms. Hogan’s creative writing workshops, the conference included six Chickasaw women speakers, three of whom were honored at the forum in the evening as the Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation. The morning part of the event included two speakers. The first was Sherry Abbott Todd, the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma. She spoke on the impacts her Chickasaw family and heritage has had on her professional life. Following Ms. Todd, this author spoke on the impact of Native Women in Arizona Indian Country. Following the morning portion of the conference, was a well attended luncheon. The speaker, Deanna Hartley-Kelso, the Chickasaw Nation Attorney General, reflected on her experiences working on behalf of the Chickasaw Nation on the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Her talk was inspiring!

The afternoon portion of the Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference included four speakers. The first was Jeannie Barbour, a recognized artist and the Director of the Chickasaw Press. She spoke on historic and contemporary Chickasaw art forms. Following Ms. Barbour, Chickasaw textile artist and designer Margaret Roach Wheeler, who took Best in Class at this year’s Heard Indian Fair and Market, spoke on how her heritage directly influences her textile designs and materials.

Following a short break, the afternoon speakers rounded out the conference topics that ranged from law, government, and the arts, with a discussion of women’s wellness. Dr. Tina Cooper, the Family Practice Service Chief at Carl Albert Indian Health Facility, spoke generally on women’s health issues and the importance of taking care of one’s self. Finally, Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, Professor of Nursing at East Central University gave an enlightening talk about breast cancer.

The Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Forum, held the same evening, honored Sherry Abbott Todd, this author, Margaret Roach Wheeler and Chickasaw Elder Beulah Shavney. Moderated by Lisa John, the Director of the Division of Education for the Chickasaw Nation, the panelists were asked a series of questions by the moderator and the audience. The evening was lively as Ms. Beulah Shavney spoke about her experiences in World War II as Women’s Army Corps (WAC). The event was informative and interesting to all who attended.

The Chickasaw Nation’s Arts and Humanities Division should be commended for putting on a well organized and interesting event. This author was humbled to have been in attendance and to be honored by the Chickasaw Nation as a Dynamic Woman, alongside the other women at the Forum.

Phoenix Indian Center Gala: April 4th, 2009

CONTACT:
Patti Hibbeler; Phoenix Indian Center
602-264-6768
pattih@phxindcenter.org

The Phoenix Indian Center will host its 26th Annual Gala & Native American Art Auction, Saturday, April 4th at the Scottsdale Resort & Convention Center to raise funds for at-risk Native American families and kids.

Patti Hibbeler, the Center’s CEO said,” Today’s economy, job layoffs, foreclosures and lack of credit has hit urban Natives Americans especially hard.” Hibbeler reports a sharp rise in the number of Native American families seeing assistance for basic needs. The mission of The Phoenix Indian Center is to help urban Native American families better their lives through education, social services and financial literacy.

The Center is asking local businesses and individuals to purchase tickets to the Gala event or sponsor a table to help Native American families get through these tough times.

Table sponsorships range from $5,000 to $40,000, and individuals may purchase tickets for $200 each — a bargain for collectors interested in deals on some of the finest Native American art available. Dinner and entertainment will be provided. Proceeds raised benefit local Natives in need of social services for basic living.

To purchase tickets or make a donation online, visit www.phxindcenter.org and click on “Annual Fundraiser.” Or call (602) 264-6768 to learn more.

WHAT: 26th Annual Phoenix Indian Center Gala
WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 2009; 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Scottsdale Resort & Convention Center
WHY: To raise funds for at-risk urban Native families and kids

DIGITAL IMAGES, RECENT STATISTICS AND CONTACTS FOR HUMAN INTEREST STORY INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE.

About Phoenix Indian Center
The mission of The Phoenix Indian Center is to promote the social and economic self-sufficiency of Native Americans living in the greater Valley. Programs offered by the Center include Workforce Development and Social Services along with several Educational and Cultural Programs for both youth and adults. These vital programs serve individuals from more than 100 different tribes across the country. The Center has been based here in Phoenix for more than 60 years. Learn more at www.phxindcenter.org.