Hopi Non-Profit to Address Housing Crisis

Nov. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- In a reception held in Flagstaff, Arizona, Kii Nat Wan Lalwa, Inc. became a reality. Assisted by the Red Feather Development Group the newly formed Hopi non-profit officially signed their Articles of Incorporation. Organized specifically to empower members of the Hopi Tribe to acquire, build and maintain innovative, sustainable and affordable housing for themselves and the community, the organization’s efforts will commence in the Village of Bacavi.

The first Board of Directors will include Beverly Honanie, Victor Lee Masayesva, Vermetta Quanimptewa, Marlene Sekayquaptewa, Gail Poly and Ray Honwynewa, Jr.

The reception was hosted by Flagstaff attorney Frederick (Fritz) Aspey and Carl Hedlund of Perrysburg, OH, who both serve on the Board of Directors of Red Feather. The signing was part of an afternoon where community leaders from across the region learned about Red Feathers’ efforts to implement long-term, sustainable solutions to the housing crisis facing many of our nations American Indian reservations. Between now and the next build season, Red Feather will continue working with individual families on the Hopi and Northern Cheyenne Reservations who hope to be engaged in building a Red Feather home next year.  In addition, they will continue to work with both reservations to support their efforts to become an independent force for housing self-sufficiency.

Also in attending was Robert Bruenig of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Gary Louis representing the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, M.J. McMahon representing Northern Arizona University and Francis Mazza, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Flagstaff Office.

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The three founding partners of AWD are NAU graduates and received their law degrees at ASU Law School. The firm has provided quality, aggressive legal services throughout Arizona and the four corner region for over thirty two years. The firm, since its inception, has believed in setting its own “higher” standards of excellence. Aspey, Watkins & Diesel has received the highest and most prestigious Bar Registry designation from Martindale-Hubbell. This designation is made from the top "A-V" rated firms in the nation and is selected from a rating system based upon lawyers' and judges' evaluation of the members of the firm.