Past Partner
2023 - 2024
Peacekeeper Society
Yakama Indian Reservation
Founded in 2015, the Peacekeeper Society’s mission is to provide life changing opportunities for Indigenous people. The organization’s vision is to ensure that all families are healthy, happy, independent, and connected to their cultural traditions. Peacekeeper Society serves the Yakama Nation, the largest Indian reservation in Washington State with approximately 10,000 enrolled members and over 6,000 Tribal members living on the reservation. In addition to serving the Yakama Nation, the organization also serves cities and reservations throughout Washington State, Oregon, and Montana through the Emergency Relief Program.
Project Overview
Minga supported PeaceKeeper Society in developing a burgeoning new program Strengthening the Spirit Gathering – Paaxamit Design School. The design school aims to promote emotional healing and resilience by creating space for local residents to (re)connect to their history and culture through the arts. Through a series of skill-based classes, program participants learn to create regalia, feather fancies, shell dresses, lead songs and dances, and other important indigenous practices. In the spirit of ‘Culture as Prevention’, these classes are supplemented with discussions and workshops about local history, identity, community wellness and health. Minga assisted in designing a culturally responsive monitoring and evaluation plan that helps to demonstrate the program’s impact and more closely link it to intended health behavior change.