Read this inspiring letter written to Protect Native Elders from Verlon Jose, Governor of the Traditional O’odham Leaders, President of PPEP First American Resources and Services, Former Vice Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Former Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Legislative Council.
An excerpt:
Nothing was reaching us until we found Protect Native Elders who offered rapid support. They delivered multiple shipments of masks and face shields helping to diminish the concerns of those working on the front lines. … One life is too many to lose. If we can protect and save one life at a time and many more by providing the basic need of Personal Protective Equipment and Food, we would have a better society in this world.
May 8, 2020
To: Protect Native Elders, Sponsors, Donors and other affiliates
The Tohono O’odham Nation is a federally recognized tribe that includes approximately 34,000 members in Southwestern Arizona. The Nation is the second largest reservations in Arizona in both population and geographical size, with a land base of 4,460 square miles, approximately the size of the State of Connecticut. Its four non-contiguous segments total more than 2.8 million acres. It is divided into eleven (11) sub political districts. There are about 3,000 enrolled members of the tribe who live in Mexico. Our federal reservation is divided by 62 miles of international border with the U.S/Mexico. We have seventeen communities in Sonora, Mexico. The Tohono O’odham Nation has approximately 10 thousand members living on the Nation. We have one small hospital with a 10 – 15 bed in-patient ward. The hospital is run by the tribe not the federal government. There are also three small Clinic/Health Centers, a 28 chair Dialysis Center with over 100 patients operating six days a week. We also have one Nursing Home and an Assisted Elder Living Facility.
We are in dire need of Masks, N95, K95 or surgical masks, Nitrile Gloves all sizes especially L/XL, Face Shields, Surgical Gowns, Food and Household cleaning supplies. We would need approximately 5000 units until there is a supply chain available or we receive assistance from the government or other entities.
The situation on the ground changes from moment to moment. We NEED basic supplies to protect our medical staff and first responders.
Nothing was reaching us until we found Protect Native Elders who offered rapid support. They delivered multiple shipments of masks and face shields helping to diminish the concerns of those working on the front lines. When the supplies were delivered the sense of relief was visible. We saw smiles on the faces of our first responders.
We deeply appreciate both you and those partner organizations who are responding so quickly to get the PPEs directly to us. You really are making a difference.
One life is too many to lose. If we can protect and save one life at a time and many more by providing the basic need of Personal Protective Equipment and Food, we would have a better society in this world. By providing one mask to an elder is a sense of “Peace of Mind” that they may be protected against this invisible enemy, COVID 19. To give a sense of “Peace of Mind to our First Responders that they will have PPE available, is a best practice for them to do their job to the best of their abilities.
THANK YOU ALL, so much, every hand in this is greatly appreciated. Our prayers and sincere appreciation to all.
With Most Respect,
Verlon Jose
Governor of the Traditional O’odham Leaders
President of PPEP First American Resources and Services
Former Vice Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation
Former Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Legislative Council.
