Fire Victim Mobile Home Fund for Sally Black

In November 2021, Sally Black, a beloved basket weaver of the Navajo Nation, had her life change forever. Sally was 3 hours away from her home when she received a phone call from her son that her home and workshop were on fire.

Her heart sank as she realized all her possessions, work materials, and supplies had been destroyed. Sally's heart broke when her son told her that her partner Ryan had died in the fire. Sally pulled up as firefighters brought out Ryan's remains.

In November 2021, a gofundme was started to help clean up the fire to help her be able to obtain a mobile home. Thanks to the community, they raised the money to meet that goal. That was 10 months ago.

The site is cleared, and we need help with the next challenge. Every social safety net has failed to help her, and she is on a 4-year waitlist to receive any assistance. The reality is Sally is 63 years old and homeless.

She is a private person, hardworking, and resilient. Her challenges have been

1. Not having the tools to work as she did before.

2. Getting her ID documentation back has taken months.

3. Living in a remote area, no rental assistance, and no consistent source of income have made getting into a home impossible.

This gofundme campaign is to raise the $150K funds needed to purchase a mobile home and transport it to rural Utah. If we can raise an additional $5,000, we will create a small workshop on her property.

Replace lost tools and raw materials for her to be able to start basket weaving and teach again.

Sally is more to us than just a kind soul in need. Sally Black is a renowned Navajo basket weaver.

A teacher who passes down the traditional Navajo skills to the younger generation. Sally's work is displayed in several museums and is sought after by collectors and curators internationally. I hope that by telling her story, we can help bring attention and financial support.

The goal is to have Sally Black in her own home, sleeping in her own bed, and working again in her little workshop.

If you want to follow her story, we have created a website sallyblackbasketweaver.com or follow her on her new Facebook page Sally Black Basket Weaver.