<![CDATA[Nihitaa' Binaanish - NB News]]>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:21:30 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Nihitaa' Binaanish to Hold 2026 Annual Meeting April 11 at House of Fellowship Church]]>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:44:02 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/nihitaa-binaanish-to-hold-2026-annual-meeting-april-11-at-house-of-fellowship-churchThe NB Board of Directors have set April 11 as our Annual Meeting date as we move into our 11th year as a 501c(3) New Mexico non-profit organization.   All community members and donors are welcome to attend at 10 a.m at The House of Fellowship Church on Skeets Road in the Bread Springs community south of Gallup, NM.
Our volunteers and interns were busy in 2025 and continue service, mentoring and compassionate care in our community.  We will review our many recent projects including construction, road maintenance, food and clothing distribution as well as sponsoring healthy community activities. We will review our mentorship program and highlight Saws for a Cause which awarded chain saws for trained interns who can now use their tools to raise income for their families. In addition, we will discuss criteria for our Educational Grant program and fundraising. 
Please join us! See below for the agenda. Refreshments will be served.
Notice of  Annual Meeting
Nihitaa’ Binaanish
 Our Father’s Business
A registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Navajo Nation by improving the lives of low-income Diné people through mentoring and support with home building, home repairs, construction-skills training, life-skills coaching, educational opportunities and spiritual growth.

The Annual Meeting of Nihitaa’ Binaanish will be held at
House of Fellowship, 41 Skeets Road, Bread Springs NM

Saturday, April 11, 2026—10:00 a.m.

Agenda items to include:
  1.  Reports: 
  1.  Minutes from April 6, 2025  meeting (Jennifer)
  2.  Current treasurer report and recent expenditures (Lorraine)
  3.  Tax updates:  IRS: 990-N, NM CORS, NM (NM Atty. General’s Office) Annual Report (NM Sec. of State Office,) 1099 Contract Employer data from 2024; NB donor receipts for 2025 (Lorraine and Jennifer)

 2.  Election of Officers–The following are current officers and *current vacancies.  Note: By-laws allow back to back service to elected offices, providing documented election is held.

a.   President: Fred Thomas, serving 3 year term ending, March 17, 2027
*b.  Vice President: Eva Dahozy-Platero serving 2 year term ending March 17, 2026
 *c.  Secretary: Jennifer Holmes:  serving  two year term expires March 17, 2026
*d.  Treasurer:  Lorraine Thomas, serving 2 year term, ending March 17, 2026
 *e.  At Large Board Member: Olive Pino, serving 1 year term ending April 7, 2026

3.  Old Business: 
  1.   Updates on recent projects and plans: (Board members)
  1. roofing, flooring and construction projects
  2. firewood ministry
  3. Saws for a Cause intern chainsaw project
  4. road maintenance
  5. vehicle maintenance
  6. HOF worship, fellowship, celebrations (including wedding),  revivals, and activities
  7. home visits and distribution of handmade items and donated items
  8. Educational Grants: Erin Moore (2), Shelby Platero, Leranda Johnson, Letoria Gastelum, Shanel Benally
  9. business intern projects (filing and documents, etc.)
  10. Back to school and backpacks from WRPC/HOF
  11. Benevolence funds used in community
  12. Coats for Kin from WRPC and HOF and Christmas activities



4.  New Business: 
  1. Projected and suggested projects/activities  for 2026  (all board members and visitors )
  2. Educational Grant requirements–update or revise?(all board members and visitors )
  3. Cash flow:  ideas for fundraising—promotions, fundraisers, etc.. (all board members and visitors )
  4.  Recommended purchases and expenditures for 2026(Fred and Lorraine
  5.   Recommended budget priorities   
  1. 60% for construction projects (including intern stipends)
  2. 10% for firewood ministry (including intern stipends)
  3. 10% for House of Fellowship activities and support, including 
  4. propane, outreach, evangelism, benevolence, and fellowship
  5. 10% for Educational Grants
  6. 10% for NB administration and fuel costs

     5.  Other:

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]]><![CDATA[Busy Summer 2025 in DinéTah]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:41:47 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/busy-summer-2025-in-dinetahNihitaa' Binaanish volunteers, interns and neighbors have been busy! We were the first food truck to serve evacuees, volunteers and firefighters at the Oak Ridge Fire near Window Rock in early July. We prepared and served comfort food of stew and frybread to our neighbors and friends at the designated evacuation on June 31 and July 1. We thank God that the fire is now contained and recovery efforts areunderway to restore rangeland and forests lost.

Summer is Tent Revival Season on Navajo Nation and we have sponsored several events in Bread Springs and Ft. Defiance. People come to hear powerful preaching, enjoy fellowship, singing and family games . Nihitaa' Binaanish provides a tent, musical instruments and  sound equipment in addition to preaching by Pastor Fred and other Diné evangelists. This year we are again distributing filled backpacks of school supplies for area school children. We pray for a successful school year for all.

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NB Trailer and Food Truck Headed to Oak Ridge Fire
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Revival at Bread Springs
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Oak Ridge Fire from Ft. Defiance.
]]><![CDATA[Nihitaa' Binaanish Strong in 10th year]]>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:28:48 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/nihitaa-binaanish-strong-in-10th-year
The board of directors of Nihitaa' Binaanish and the community met on April 6 at our Annual Meeting at House of Fellowship in Bread Springs, NM.  We are in good standing with the State of New Mexico and and our finances are in order.  We reviewed our 2024 projects and planned for 2025, including the administration of the Julie's Helpers Memorial Scholarship formerly overseen by White Rock Presbyterian Church. We assessed fundraising goals and divided tasks to be accomplished by our next meeting at the end of the summer 2025.  Thank you to all who have volunteered, supported and prayed for Nihitaa' Binaanish over the years.  God is Good, ahé'hee.

Click below photos to view minutes of our 2025 Annual Meeting.
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Roofing project with labor from family members and volunteers
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Moving a home for neighbors with volunteer and intern labor.
]]><![CDATA[Nihitaa' Binaanish Annual Meeting April 6, 2025]]>Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:45:38 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/nihitaa-binaanish-annual-meeting-april-6-2025Nihitaa' Binaanish celebrates 10 years of incorporation as a 501c Non Profit in the state of New Mexico this year. These last 10 years build on the previous 20 years of Christian service and community work done by Fred and Lorraine Thomas of the House of Fellowship Church at Bread Springs,NM. We are thankful to carry on the Good Work that was started and will be completed in God's good time.  

Agenda items this year include a review of our 2024 projects, election of officers, the management of the Julie's Helpers Memorial Scholarship administration and new suggested projects and activities for 2025.

All community members and interested visitors are welcome to attend at 1 pm at the House of Fellowship 31 Skeets Road in Vanderwagen.  Refreshments will be served.  All welcome!
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Road Maintenance
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2024 Julie's Helpers Scholarship winner Erin Moore and family
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Christmas clothing and food distributions
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Winter livestock care
]]><![CDATA[November 2024-Thankful in Dinétah]]>Fri, 29 Nov 2024 17:15:46 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/november-2024-thankful-in-dinetahThough we don't necessarily celebrate Thanksgiving with "Pilgrims and Indians" scenarios, we do pause to give thanks during this harvest season. God's grace has been shown in so many ways to us this year, including the generosity of donors who helpfund projects such as our recent roofing jobs and firewood harvesting. We give thanks for the resilience and innovation of our neighbors who value their traditions. We thankfully encourage artists who creatively innovate in traditional art forms, such as pottery, and we host visitors who come to serve, share and learn. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in a short or extended visit to our part of Dinétah, you are welcome to join in our daily work, prayer and fellowship in our community. We recently hosted visitors from San Jose, California, El Rito, NM and Albuquerque NM who traveled many reservation miles, partnered on our roofing project, picked pinons, did IT work, and helped harvest firewood.  Homeowner  Carmen and her son Isaiah prepared a Navajo taco dinner (fry bread lesson included!) with blue corn mush and Navajo tea for all the visitors. Carmen also gave us a pottery demonstration. You are always welcome!  Contact Jennifer for details on how to arrange a visit.
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frybread lesson
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roofing project
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wood harvesting
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pottery demonstration
]]><![CDATA[Summer Work and Fellowship in Diné Bikeyah in 2024]]>Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:46:32 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/summer-work-and-fellowship-in-dine-bikeyah-in-2024Nithitaa' Binaanish has been busy with many spring and summer projects.  We continue our construction work with interns working side by side with NB mentors. A recent college graduate partnered with NB to set up a photo shoot for the community. Our neighbors gathered for a  cake decorating workshop which we sponsored.  We honored the Julie's Helpers Memorial Scholarship for Navajo women winner, Erin Moore of Twin Lakes.  We partnered with White Rock Presbyterian Church and House of Fellowship to paint a neighbor's home and do weeding in the yard. We attended and supported traditional seasonal activities such as clan reunions and gardening.  As the seasons go round, we thank God for his faithfulness. 

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Painting Team
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Traditional Cooking
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Erin Moore, 2024 JHM Scholarship Winner
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Home Repair Mentoring
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Máásaani and Chei in garden
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House Painting Partners
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Road Maintenance
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Cake Decorating Workshop
]]><![CDATA[Nihitaa' Binaanish Going Strong in 2024]]>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:10:05 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/nihitaa-binaanish-going-strong-in-2024
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NB Board of Directors meet for planning for 2024
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Late spring in Diné Bikéyah
The March 17, 2024 Annual Meeting of Nihitaa' Binaanish, Our Father's Business drew a record number of attendees and two new officers were elected. Our year ahead will include continued family and youth activities, mentoring neighbors in job skills and promoting local entrepreneurs. We also are planning a health fair with nutrition and wellness opportunities for community members. In the meantime, we are still harvesting and delivering firewood and overseeing court-referred individuals who need to do community service. We work side by side with our interns and neighbors as we laugh, learn and pray together. We thank God for guiding us these past nine years and look forward to serving our community following the Light of Christ.
]]><![CDATA[2024 Annual meeting 3.17.24---All welcome!]]>Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:49:07 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/2024-annual-meeting-31724-all-welcomeThe Board of Directors of Nihitaa' Binaanish have called for the Annual Meeting to be held on Sunday March 17 at 1 pm at House of Fellowship Church.  All welcome!  Come and hear of our journey in 2023 and help make plans for 2024.
]]><![CDATA[Winter In DinÉTah]]>Mon, 18 Dec 2023 20:01:41 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/winter-in-dinetahAs we journey through our 8th year as a non-profit serving the Navajo Nation in self-help and neighbor-help, we pause to give thanks to God for our many blessings.  We have wonderful donors who have faith in our work and support us through the seasons. We have dedicated volunteers who serve with joy and compassion as they visit, support, and teach neighbors, family and new friends.  We are thankful for the mentors and interns who learn from and and teach each other as we do home repair and maintenance,  deliver firewood, host family activities and pray with neighbors. Thank you, ahéhee' to all this season. God's work continues in this cold season in Dinétah

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NB delivers firewood to elders in the community
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Keeping the home fires burning all winter.
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Másáání gets a new winter jacket.
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Volunteers help with road maintenance during the winter.
]]><![CDATA[Summer 2023 Activities]]>Sun, 30 Jul 2023 21:55:38 GMThttps://www.binaanish.org/nb-news/summer-2023-activitiesWe've been busy this summer with hosting family activities and revivals, building projects, scholarship promotion and now a back to school campaign. We are seeking donations during the month of August for back-to-school supplies for area youth.
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We help area youths fill backpacks for a successful school year.
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Construction began on a hogan for neighbors anxious to return from the big city to live among their relatives on the Navajo Nation
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Storm Nguyen of Albuquerque in our 2023 Julie's Helpers scholarship winner, receiving $2500 to attend UNM to study Medical Sonography and Business
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NB helped sponsor a special revival and family fun week to celebrate an elder's 90th birthday
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