As the school year ends for many schools across the nation, there are many unanswered questions and unfinished services for students and families. Moving forward seems difficult to do, however, it is possible to continue on.

Spring 2020 hit our nation unexpectedly with this COVID-19 pandemic. The Native American communities were affected just as much, some even greater. Our FACE home-based programs are no exception to this health crisis. We have learned so much through these short months. We also know that life won’t be the same. But as Native American history has shown, people are resilient and are survivors.

Some positive thoughts to think about as we venture through this time:

• Cherish our families. Being home with our families has provided us the opportunity to appreciate our children and our family members. We have learned to home school and maybe even spent some time doing arts and crafts, or cooking a traditional dish.
• Being grateful to our tribal organizations, local agencies, donation banks and many people who have donated food, sanitizers, cleaning supplies, pet food, hay, and so much more to assist our families so they may stay home and be safe.
• Every day is a gift. Each day brings new hope, faith, and compassion for our nation. Our traditional teachings and values were brought back to the surface as we relearned how to use our Native herbs, cook our traditional foods, and even listen to the elder teachings of life.

We heard many times in the news, from our schools, and even through social media, that we are in this together. Many of our FACE home-based families may have been challenged in various ways. However, most of our FACE sites were able to reach out to families and still offer frequent support through virtual home visits, phone calls, text messages, and telecommunication visits. Sometimes, when people are in the midst of a confusing situation, they tend to forget to see the positive moments and achievements.

As we start to close our spring semesters with our families, let us take the time to celebrate the moments throughout the year. Embracing every positive moment reminds us we are moving forward and still living our lives the best way we can. Adults may become too distracted with the current situation and forget how far they have come in overcoming their own challenges.

Assist families to celebrate these moments:

• A full-year of participation in the home-based program.
• Parents home-schooled their children, some partnered with elementary through high school to assist their children at home with schoolwork.
• Children transitioning to center-based, elementary, junior high, or even high school.
• Children learning to assist with cooking or learning to make a dish at home.
• Parents learning to make a traditional meal for their family.
• Family learning to speak their Native language at home.
• Parents teaching their children new words each day.

There are many moments, big and small, that can be celebrated. It is important to reflect on the year, even during this pandemic time to become more aware of the positive accomplishments that we sometimes tend to overlook or hold off to celebrate later. This unprecedented situation has taught us many things about our lives and should also remind us to celebrate the special moments we still get to experience together as a family.

Many parent educators have reached out to their home-based families and offered frequent contacts through the phone, emails, text messages, and some through virtual personal visits. Your amazing creative efforts do not go unnoticed, the staff at PAT, NCFL, and BIE recognize the remarkable services many FACE Programs have provided during this pandemic. We are grateful for all of our compassionate FACE programs who have serviced their families throughout the school year.

We wish you a wonderful and safe summer. See you in the fall! Ahxéhee’.