bkijek Loc: Oak Lawn, Illinois

Hello Fellow Members -

Over the years many of us have had the privilege of photographing picturesque sites such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon, both of which are on the Navajo Indian Reservation. I think everyone would agree that the reservation is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Now, the Navajos are in dire straights. Currently, the Navajo Indians have a higher rate of infection from the Coronavirus than even New York. They are a very poor “nation.” Their health care facilities are inadequate to handle the pandemic. Additionally, they have little or no running water to wash their hands in order to fight the virus. Doctors Without Borders has sent two teams to the reservation to assist the Navajos in this fight.

Before today, I have never solicited contributions for a charity in all my life and I am uneasy doing so. But now I am asking you to consider helping these people by sending a contribution to Navajo Ministries. You can make a contribution by going to either their website, navajoministries.org, or charitynavigator.org (a charity watchdog organization).

We have enjoyed taking thousands of photos of their beautiful lands. Hopefully, we can now help them out.

Thank you and God bless.

Bill Kijek

Monument Valley

(Download)

Antelope Canyon

(Download)

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Bless you and thanks for sharing.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Here is a link substantiating your comments. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/11/854157898/coronavirus-infections-continue-to-rise-on-navajo-nation

Here is a link to donate directly to the Navajo Nation. Gary https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/OPVP/2020/Apr/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE%20-%20Navajo%20Nation%20establishes%20the%20Navajo%20Nation%20COVID-19%20Fund.pdf

AlColter Loc: Michigan

Why do the people of the richest country in the world allow such conditions to exist???

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Do you have any proof that they want a different life than living in Paradise as their ancestors did??

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Do you have any proof the Navajo don't want to live? As if the genocide afflicted upon them wasn't enough.

Rick

d3200prime

Asinine comment.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Read a book.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

My Dad retired in 1982, having to then shed some of his giving. Ever since then - for nearly forty years - my wife and I have sent a monthly check to a Catholic {we are Protestants} Mission in South Dakota - an "Indian School" - that the 'Indians' retreated to after the "massacre" at Wounded Knee, so I am not speaking out of a vacuum.

The simple fact is that Placefaces rush in the "fix" things - often sometimes without understanding what the problem really is. I just want to be sure that we offer 'help' that the Navajo Nation wants.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

The paradise native Americans lived in was the southeast and southwest.

The Cherokee were forcibly marched off their lands. The Navajo were also, but not as far. Both were given crap lands in exchange for lush lands.

Thank you for you and father’s generosity, it my people never had the option of living their lives on the paradise of their own lands.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

When this area was settled, several peoples lived on it, mostly Miami and Pottawatomie. Over time some of them intermarried with the settlers, and some just 'fit in' as nearly as I can tell. Thus, when these tribes were moved West, not all the people did. The Miami had serious impact on names, but they have no 'federal recognized' tribes now in the area. I think the Pottawatomie had less impact on naming, but their "Pokagon band" is active here - in fact, working with our former mayor they now have a Casino and other facilities here as well as in Michigan.

AlColter Loc: Michigan

I was in reference to all people who are poor. I don't know you so I could be wrong, but it's not helpful to blame people who are poor for being poor. As someone else pointed out, read something, there's plenty out there. But this is not really the place to get into to this.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I am not blaming them for the condition of their lives - I am just saying we should not evaluate them by our standard ..... I don’t claim to know how they feel about it. The Amish who live near me are “poor” by our standard; some leave, but the ones who stay seem to be satisfied with their lifestyle.

bkijek Loc: Oak Lawn, Illinois

Thank you everybody for your responses. I hope that this Navajo run charity that is based on the Navajo Indian Reservation will benefit from any contributions sent their way.

Checkmate Loc: Southern California

Aren't they basically separate nations within a nation. Not saying it's right or wrong, just many feel that they don't
belong as if the are repelling us. I have spoken up among friends of what can be done to improve their lot. I
mention to my wife if a small manufacturing company could be set up to bring money and pride to the nation.
One of the main objectives would be overcoming the logistics of moving everything to a small area remote to
economical transportation. I have seen the poverty on these reservations. Giving money directly doesn't work.