Dear Friends,
In many Indigenous traditions, hope is grounded in the cycles of nature, the strength of community, and the enduring spirit of resilience. As we close this year and look toward the next, many of us are reflecting on how to sustain that sense of hope. Thanks to friends like you, everyone at Crow Canyon has felt uplifted, encouraged, and inspired to continue our mission.
This year brought unexpected challenges. Federal funds we had been awarded were later rescinded, creating sudden uncertainty. But thanks to your generosity, care, and steadfast belief in our mission, Crow Canyon not only persevered—it thrived. Together, we inspired curiosity through education, built meaningful partnerships, and advanced vital archaeological research.
Because of you:
Hundreds of young students deepened their understanding of human cultures and sciences during visits to our campus.
Our educators brought hands-on learning to schools that could not travel to us. Archaeological research at the Haynie site revealed new insights into the culture and ingenuity of Ancestral Pueblo peoples.
Lifelong learners joined our Cultural Explorations seminars, connecting with Indigenous communities in the Rio Grande Valley, Bears Ears, Glen Canyon, the Sonoran Desert, and beyond. Indigenous community members enriched our programs and welcomed staff into their communities to share knowledge and traditions. Thousands of people worldwide participated in our complimentary Discover Archaeology webinars. Crow Canyon researchers presented at national conferences, advancing public understanding of Indigenous histories and heritage.
We celebrate these accomplishments—but we also face sobering realities.
As a cultural and educational institution, Crow Canyon faces new funding cuts and policy shifts that threaten the very programs and partnerships that make our work possible. Many of our Indigenous partners, local communities, and ancestral landscapes are also under strain.
\*\*That’s why we’re launching the Educational Resilience Fund—and we need your help.\*\*
Urgent Need: Support for Schools and Students
Last year, your generosity helped thousands of elementary and middle school students access inclusive, accurate, and inspiring lessons co-created with Indigenous partners. Yet this year, a troubling trend has emerged: schools are canceling their visits—not for lack of interest, but because they can no longer afford transportation or program costs.
The need is urgent and real. We must replenish our scholarship funds now to ensure that every student—regardless of circumstance—has the chance to learn from the histories and living cultures we share.
Your year-end gift will:
Fund student scholarships for the 2026 school year, ensuring that no child is turned away due to cost; and
Enable Crow Canyon educators to bring programs directly into classrooms—reaching students where they are.
As demand for our programs continues to grow, your support ensures we can meet it—with compassion, inclusion, and excellence.
For more than 40 years, Crow Canyon has persevered through changing times because of friends like you. With your heartfelt year-end gift to the Educational Resilience Fund, you help us continue to build understanding, respect, and connection. Thank you for being part of our Crow Canyon family. Together, we will keep hope—and education—alive.
With deep gratitude,
Elizabeth (Liz) Perry, President & CEO