Protect Diné Mountain Communities from COVID-19!

As survivors of COVID-19 and Pneumonia, both Alastair Bitsóí (Diné) and Davina Smith (Diné) now shift their focus to their Diné people during this COVID-19 pandemic. The need for relief is greater than ever before in the Navajo Nation, where COVID-19 positive cases and mortality increases daily. Presently, the Navajo Nation has the highest infection rate per capita in America, with the curve likely not flattening until weeks away. 

Alastair is a COVID-19 survivor, and Davina is also in recovery from being hospitalized for Pneumonia. Because of their recent health scares, and the need to prevent anymore COVID-19 exposures across the Navajo Nation, the duo has joined forces to fundraise for Diné people living in remote, mountain areas of their communities – Big Mountain (Black Mesa) in Western Navajo Agency and the Chooshgais in Fort Defiance and Northern Navajo Agencies. Both mountain ranges serve spiritual significance and places of healing power for our people who live there – Big Mountain (Black Mesa)  being a Female Deity and the Chooshgais being a Male Deity.

Much like their ancestral matriarchs, both Alastair and Davina hope you contribute to this effort to raise $10,000 in foodstuff (beef jerky,  long-shelved items, seeds to plant),  water and supplies (exp. masks, water barrels, water stations, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer etc.)  While our communities in Big Mountain (Black Mesa) and in the Chooshgais are strong and resilient peoples, COVID-19 relief efforts are spread thin to other areas of the Navajo Nation. We love and support all relief efforts, and we are creating this fundraiser in an effort to help meet the gaps.

While based in Salt Lake City, Alastair and Davina will rely on their social networks to help Diné people from Big Mountain and the Chooshgais. The Diné teaching of SIHASIN (HOPE) is what helped Alastair and Davina recover from COVID-19 and Pneumonia, and it is through SIHASIN the duo joins together to deliver supplies, foodstuff, and any essential items to prevent their families and relatives from going to border- towns, which are breeding grounds for COVID-19 exposure and racial taunts by non-Diné blaming our people for spread of this invisible virus.

Our value and prayers of SIHASIN is why we ask you to give today. Please contribute and share – our Diné people need us more than ever. Ahéhee nitsaago!