Key’ah (Navajo Homeland): The Navajo Nation spans 27,000 square miles and is equivalent in size to the state of West Virginia. Navajo cultural beliefs are tied to the peaks and valleys that trek into three states Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. As large as the nation is there are many spacial challenges such as the lack of infrastructure, economic development, and technological access.
Creative Ideation: As the Nation faces many challenges it inspires us to be creative thinkers. We want to cultivate resiliency through innovative problem solving. As we create space to be creative thinkers it allows a chance to discover applications that can positively impact local communities.
Advanced Technology: We recognize technology as a tool that allows an opportunity to creatively implement in areas of coding, agriculture, and a classroom. The benefit of technology is the intent of supporting our own communities to encourage self resiliency.
Growing Native Entrepreneurs: The Navajo Nation’s economic landscape remains one of the greatest challenges. KARMA emphasizes the importance of economic strength to build the capacity to become self reliant. This initiative encourages creative makers to pursue their own businesses to bring economic opportunities to native communities.
Programs
Innoventure Product Challenge
Ke’yah Advanced Rural Manufacturing Alliance (KARMA) was birthed from the Innoventure Product Challenge in 2018 where multiple regional schools competed to design a Navajo Headstart theme toy!
Zero Robotics
Zero Robotics 2022 is an inspiring program for middle school students that is truly out of this world!
MakerPlace
As makerspaces became popular in educational environments, it was vital to examine the technological absence Native students face in Native communities.