Press Release is Being Forwarded from The New Mexico Indian Affairs DepartmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2021

Sherrie Catanach

Public Relations Coordinator, Indian Affairs Department

505-469-7599

[email protected]

COVID-19 Vaccination and Food Distribution at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department (IAD), in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW), First Nations Community Healthsource, Thornburg Foundation, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG), and MoGro, will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination and food distribution drive-thru event. This free event will take place at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, with the first dose on Saturday, March 20th, and the second dose on Saturday, April 17th, from 9 AM to 12:30 PM.

Vaccines are available by appointment and advance registration only. Call 505-278-5970 to make an appointment. Phone lines open at 8:00 AM.  The clinic is open to urban Native Americans who are 18 years and older, and available for both vaccination dates. Please do not call to register if you are under the age of 18, have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, or if you have had a vaccine in the last two weeks.

“We are thankful to all of our partners for stepping up and leading this effort and bring this much-needed vaccine to our Native relatives in Albuquerque,” said IAD Secretary Lynn Trujillo. “I encourage everyone who is eligible to register for their vaccine as soon as possible.”

“The very mission of public health is to ensure that people – all people – live in good health,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “We are humbled to have this opportunity to provide vaccination against COVID-19 and begin to bring an end to the loss this virus has caused for so many.”

“CSVANW is humbled to take part in this important event that is bringing our communities closer to safety. It is not lost on the Coalition that tribal communities are leading the state of New Mexico in Covid-19 recovery efforts, and our organization is honored to be a part of bringing our People one step closer to recovery,” said CSVANW Executive Director Angel Charley.

“This is the first event of its kind in the state, and it is due to the cooperation of partners, both public and private. These partners have the same vision to serve the underserved with vaccines, food, and PPE. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is honored to host this event on our campus,” said IPCC Vice President of Cultural & Community Engagement Beverlee McClure.

“We are humbled by the outpouring of support for Native Americans living in Albuquerque. In the spirit of generosity and kindness organizations have moved quickly knowing that lives are at stake for those who experience food insecurity and still in need of COVID-19 vaccinations. The All Pueblo Council of Governors is truly appreciative of this community effort to serve our most vulnerable populations,” said APCG Chairman Wilfred Herrera, Jr. (Pueblo of Laguna) and Secretary David M. Toledo (Pueblo of Jemez).

“First Nations Community HealthSource is very pleased to partner in this important community event. The urban Indian community has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Events such as this are critical venues for increasing access to needed vaccinations to decrease risks among Native communities,” said First Nations Community Healthsource CEO Linda Son-Stone.

“In just a few weeks, state agency leaders and non-profit leaders put together this remarkable event to help meet urgent food needs and offer life-saving vaccines for urban Native Americans.  The Thornburg team is honored to support this remarkable public/private collaboration with grant funding and volunteers.  We hope this type of event could become a model for other communities in our state,” said  Thornburg Foundation Executive Director Allan Oliver.

“We are all relieved to see vaccination events taking place in our communities. It is a sign that we are taking care of each other, that public health matters to all of us. Pairing this with good, healthy food makes the strong statement that food is central to how we take care of each other and central to public health,” said MoGro Executive Director Josh Norman

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