JoAnn Armenta, Founder and CEO
A Life Long-Learner and Change Agent
JoAnn Armenta, Founder and CEO
A Life Long-Learner and Change Agent
Our Purpose
It has been our purpose in Life to advocate for people who have been marginalized and unjustly treated. We have dedicated our lives to helping our people and our motherlands for future posterity. Our goal is to fulfill the Vision and Hope of the Dine' to Restore Hozho’. The road to Rehabilitation must be sustainable that promotes healthy living, food and water security. The outcomes will be to implement immediate solutions with long-term benefits that support Holistic Indigenous Sustainable Communities that demonstrates Sovereignty in Action that Promotes Dine'Life-Ways fro generations to come.
Our Purpose
It has been our purpose in Life to advocate for people who have been marginalized and unjustly treated. We have dedicated our lives to helping our people and our motherlands for future posterity. Our goal is to fulfill the Vision and Hope of the Dine' to Restore Hozho’. The road to Rehabilitation must be sustainable that promotes healthy living, food and water security. The outcomes will be to implement immediate solutions with long-term benefits that support Holistic Indigenous Sustainable Communities that demonstrates Sovereignty in Action that Promotes Dine'Life-Ways fro generations to come.
Bennett Freeze
Purpose Focused is a partner of Forgotten People. The organizations collaborate and coordinate strategic projects to advance the Rehabilitation effort of the Former Bennett Freeze area. The Federal Public Law 93-531 forbid any development for over forty years which impacted many Dine' generations, forcing thousands off their traditional homelands. It’s important to Note: Many Navajo people living in the area still do not have access to potable water and or electricity in their Hogans; forced to live in Third World Conditions.
Bennett Freeze
Purpose Focused is a partner of Forgotten People. The organizations collaborate and coordinate strategic projects to advance the Rehabilitation effort of the Former Bennett Freeze area. The Federal Public Law 93-531 forbid any development for over forty years which impacted many Dine' generations, forcing thousands off their traditional homelands. It’s important to Note: Many Navajo people living in the area still do not have access to potable water and or electricity in their Hogans; forced to live in Third World Conditions.
About Us
Our Beginning
In 2008, Purpose Focused was incorporated in the State of Arizona and 2012 on the Navajo Nation. Our organization exists to bring about programs and projects aligned with our Vision to “Restore Hozho’.
Our Partnership
Purpose Focused partnered with Forgotten People Community Development to advocate for the Rehabilitation of the Former Bennett Freeze.
Local Empowerment Act
LGA was created to establish local governance; whereas communities are independent from Central Government to plan and implement economic development according to the will of the community-members.
Current Activites
Current Project
Our current project was funded by the Department of Interior National Park Service to retrofit Traditional Hogans (Dine' homes). in the Former Bennett Freeze area.
Our project is focused in the Community of the Bodaway Gap Chapter, the largest land-base affected by the P. L. 93-531 on the Navajo Nation.
Project Partner
For our current project we partnered with an organization known as International Centers for Appropriate Technology and Indigenous Sustainability (iCATIS) to solicit funds from the Department of Interior to retrofit traditional Hogans.
We selected primarily elders and women with multi-generational occupants with very dilapidated and unsafe living environments.
Education Outcomes
Along with the Retrofitting of Hogans, we will be refurbishing and installing solar heating panels. Greyhills Academy High School in Tuba City, has agreed to support our refurbishing training with their students and allow community members to also learn.
Another deliverable will be to develop curriculum/training manuals that will support the ongoing effort of retrofitting traditional homes across the Former Bennett Freeze Area.
Building Community-Based Capacities
Community Workforce development is a critical part of our project. It is our intention to create small business opportunities in the fields of expertise required to not only rehabilitate homes to be energy efficient but capable of building new energy passive homes and auxiliary structures.
Renewable Energy
For the people not connected to power lines and or have access to drinking water in their homes are forced to live without.
If not for Solar power, people would not be able to charge their basic needs like; a refrigerator, a radio for communication and solar powered lights.
Water Rights and Access
Water is a constant battle, from access to water rights battles. On Valentines Day 2012, Senator Kyle introduced legislation SB-2109 Navajo Hopi Little Colorado Water River Settlement Agreement. It was defeated after a fierce fight put up by the grass roots Water Warriors. Here is a link to the protest against...Jon Kyle and John McCain legislation when they tried to push it on our respective tribal leaders.