New Albuquerque Office Increases Capacity for Greater Investment in Native Communities and Economies
Marvis Aragon, Executive Director of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico, welcomes attendees to First Nations’ Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House.
First Nations staff and supporters celebrated an exciting new chapter at First Nations with the opening of our new office in Albuquerque on March 27, 2024. The new property at 8421 Osuna Rd. NE creates a larger hub for First Nations’ work in the Southwest, allowing us to recruit local staff and enhance our ability to invest in the success and sustainability of the Native communities we serve, many of which are located in New Mexico and Arizona.
We commemorated this milestone with local community partners, staff, and members of the Albuquerque community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, which began with a community welcome from Marvis Aragon, Executive Director of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico, and a First Nations Welcome from JoAnn Melchor, Vice President of Development. Native artist Anthony Lovato led the opening prayer and blessing. The event was filled with insightful remarks from Mike Roberts, President and CEO of First Nations, and Darrell Tsabetsaye, President of Major Market, Inc.
JoAnn Melchor conveys the excitement and importance of this First Nations’ milestone.
The Osuna Road property will be the new home for Albuquerque-based employees, who previously worked out of our field office at 4263 Montgomery Boulevard NE, Suite 200. The purchase of the building represents an opportunity to build capital assets through real estate, eliminating the need to continue renting office space in the Albuquerque area. The decision aligns with First Nations’ long-term financial planning and received support from an anonymous funder. As owners of the property, First Nations will also act as property manager and as landlord for the building’s existing and future tenants.
This major achievement reflects our strategic planning, intentional growth, and the trust of our supporters. Emphasizing our vision to build capacity to better serve our community partners. We are renewing our focus on deepening our impact through research-based programming and evaluation, strengthening our sustainability, and improving operational efficiency.
First Nations leadership join in the ceremony as First Nations COO Jackie Francke cuts the red ribbon.
Since its founding in 1980, First Nations has worked to improve economic conditions for Native Americans. Through mid-year 2024, we have successfully managed 3,473 grants totaling $85 million to Native American projects and organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa.
We’re filled with gratitude for the support of our community and partners. This space not only symbolizes our commitment to serving Native communities but also strengthens our capacity to drive sustainable growth and change. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!
