Welcome
join us on our journey into the world of Native Love!
Welcome
join us on our journey into the world of Native Love!
Native Love was established in April 2021 as a Non-Profit Organization. This is the founding board of Native Love. Neida Chakee, Cynthia Buckskin, O'olcu Buckskin, Daisy Bluestar, and Ceriss Blackwood. Missing in this photo are Elisia Cruz and Misty Ryder.
This year we welcome in Robert Ortiz (Taos Pueblo) and Venessa Torres (Southern Ute), and Chispas Root (Southern Ute)
In the year 2025, Native Love Board members are introduced in the "About" section of our website.
As of today, the board continues to thrive with ideas brought to Native Love by community and volunteer members, or by the board members themselves.
Native Love does offer
Community Service for La Plata County and surrounding areas!
Interested volunteers!
In Loving Memory Kean Goodman "Snow" Richards - May 30,1948 - July 24, 2025
Special thank you to Southern Ute Tribal Elder Kean Richards. He helped Native Love create an educational film on the importance of Long Hair. He was a young native child who once proudly wore braids until he entered school as a young boy and was forced to cut his braids. This film will be specifically for schools in Colorado. It will help educate Administration and students on the importance of protecting and respecting the meaning of long hair.
Ceriss Blackwood is an educator and advocate. She focuses on Native American culture and education. She was one of the co-founders of Native Love and brought her expertise as a treasurer. She showed her passion for the children and community she served. Ceriss Blackwood wore her heart on her sleeves and was a huge asset to Native Love.
Neida Chakee is an Elder who was a Co- Founder to Native Love. She served on the Native Love Board since the creation of the organization. She brought her strength in planning events, bringing prayers and elders together. Her strengths were creating native art with the community members and her vision of strengthening our community through culture and prayer. She is a great mentor to the younger generation. We enjoyed learning from her during her time on the Native Love Board. She is still an active participant of the organization on a community based level.
Kristean Velasquez has put alot of work into Native Love for her passion of learning and advocating. She uses her voice and follows with actions. She is a young, positive leader who works on solutions. She has been a huge partner in creating and planning for the annual MMIR motorcycle run. She will continue to be a committee member for the Bike Run.
Welcome to Native Love, a 501c(3) organization
Est. April 08, 2021
EIN: 86-3315453