For Immediate Release:
“Yiłta: I read it!”—the First of its Kind Native Book Drop Tour is Coming to the Navajo Nation this Spring
NDN Girls Book Club, Abalone Mountain Press, 4KINSHIP, Cellular One Join Forces
to Deliver Up to 10,000 Books by Indigenous Authors to Navajo and Hopi Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Window Rock (March 1, 2024) - NDN Girls Book Club, Abalone Mountain Press, 4KINSHIP, Cellular One, and the SBi Giving Foundation are teaming up to ignite a passion for reading, celebrate Indigenous authors, and inspire the next generation of Native writers and poets. Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya is confirmed as a guest of honor at the kick-off event in Window Rock on April 1. (Full tour details below.)
The mission? To deliver up to 10,000 books to Navajo homes in just 5 days, with plans to expand this outreach year after year. Beyond spreading the magic of Indigenous storytelling, they're also sharing a range of free goodies at each event to uplift the community.
“We are thrilled to team up with Cellular One and its new SBi Giving Foundation, Abalone Mountain Press, 4KINSHIP, and dozens of community partners to make this book tour an incredible celebration of Indigenous writing, literature, and poetry,” said Kinsale Drake, Executive Director of NDN Girls Book Club, a 501c3 literary organization that hosts free community workshops for Native youth, sends out free Native books, and uplifts Indigenous literatures.
“It’s possible that this will be the biggest Native book tour yet. Just this week we have lined up more than 8,000 books to giveaway. The support from a wide variety of publishers nationwide has been tremendous, including an incredible donation of 5,000 books from Levine Querido.”
TOUR SCHEDULE
April 1 (Monday) 3 to 7 pm in Window Rock at the Navajo Nation Library
April 2 (Tuesday) 3 to 7 pm in Leupp
April 3 (Wednesday) 3 to 6 pm in Tuba City
April 5 (Friday) 3 to 7 pm in Shiprock
In addition to hosting the four book giveaway events listed on the schedule above, the tour will also make stops at the Hopi Public Library and Kayenta Community Library, dropping off fresh new titles for community youth and families to check out from the library.
“We hope to inspire a greater love for reading among Native youth, uplift literary gathering spots, and help families build home libraries, filled with beautiful books written by contemporary Indigenous authors,” added Drake. “Our team, which also includes Lily Painter and Pte San Win Little Whiteman, is very grateful to SBi Giving Foundation and Cellular One for providing primary funding to make this the biggest book drop tour in Navajo Nation history.”
About NDN Girls Book Club
NDN Girls Book Club aims to make access to quality Indigenous literature a reality for all ages by sending out free books and literary care packages, hosting pop-up community events, and supporting Indigenous booksellers. Drake, Diné, is also a writer herself, having recently won the National Poetry Series for her debut collection of poetry. The granddaughter of Harold Drake, Sr., her family hails from Navajo Mountain, Utah.
For more information about NDN Girls Book Club please visit: ndngirlsbookclub.org.
About SBi Giving Foundation (Presenting Sponsor)
Founded and funded entirely by Smith Bagley Inc., the company that operates Cellular One, the SBi Giving Foundation is a new private 501c3 with the mission of empowering Tribal and Rural communities throughout the Southwest.
The late philanthropist and entrepreneur Smith Bagley founded Cellular One 30 years ago and in celebration of that milestone, the company has established the SBi Giving Foundation to expand and amplify its community impact programs—supporting initiatives that elevate and inspire youth, vets, women, elders, and other underserved community groups. For more information: mycellularone.com
About 4KINSHIP
4KINSHIP is a vibrant and sustainable artwear brand, led by Amy Denet Deal, a proud Diné (Navajo) founder. With a deep respect for her Indigenous culture and heritage, 4KINSHIP seamlessly blends the realms of art, fashion, and creativity in captivating ways. Through their exceptional designs and innovative pursuits, the brand not only celebrates Indigenous creativity but also strives to empower the next generation. Embark on an inspiring journey into the world of 4KINSHIP and uncover their mission and vision at 4kinship.com.
About Abalone Mountain Press
Abalone Mountain Press is a Diné woman-owned press existing on occupied Akimel O'odham land. The meaning behind Abalone Mountain comes from the Diné name (Dookʼoʼoosłííd) for the so-called San Francisco peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona. Abalone Shell Mountain is one of the four sacred mountains for Diné. The owner of Abalone Mountain Press, Amber McCrary, grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona. Therefore, this sacred mountain is near and dear to her heart and among many Diné and Hopi folks. abalonemountainpress.com.
Media Contact: Kelly Wood, 480-239-0109 (text is great), kwood@sbigiving.org
###