Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) is committed to fostering our vision of strong, self-sufficient Native American communities. Through PWNA’s Southwest Reservation Aid® (SWRA) program, we work with Program Partners to deliver an Emergency Preparedness service in reservation communities.  

In collaboration with the Quechan Parks and Recreation Department, we brought CPR and First Aid training to members of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation. The instructors led a hands-on training in delivering chest compressions, identifying emergencies, and using an AED, certifying 14 members of the Quechan Tribe in CPR and First Aid. In addition to this training, the community received a brand-new AED to use in case of an emergency. 

30-year-old Karlo P. is the Parks and Recreation Department secretary and has lived on the reservation for most of his life. Since all Tribal employees will soon need their CPR/First Aid certification, Karlo wanted to get a head start on his training.  

Karlo hopes his new skills will help him when working in the community. He shared, “Being that most Tribal communities are rural, it’s good to have first-responder care readily available. And it’s good to keep the average person informed about what they can do to help anywhere, not just on the reservation. [PWNA] is doing a great service by bringing this training here.”  

29-year-old Quentin B. has worked for the Quechan Parks and Recreation Department for eight years. Having worked as a coach and referee, Quentin understands the importance of CPR and First Aid training in his community, telling us, “I deal with kids during summer camps and after-school programs, so I want to make sure my CPR skills are as fresh as they can be.”  

Quentin grew up in the neighboring town of Yuma, across the Colorado River from the Fort Yuma Reservation. Although he spent a lot of time on the reservation as a youth, he settled there as an adult to raise his family. He feels optimistic that he is helping build a stronger, safer community. He shared, “This training is super important. Any knowledge that we get to be able to save a life is something everyone needs, especially in our community, as we do a lot of events and sports for different age groups. We just have to make sure we’re prepared.” 

Karlo and Quentin are thankful for this training opportunity that SWRA’s donors and funders made possible. In a message to our supporters, Karlo said, “Every dollar helps. Every little bit goes towards helping rural communities become more active, more engaged, and able to help each other. It matters. This is a program that is necessary.” 

With equal gratitude, Quentin shared, “To all the donors out there, we highly appreciate all their donations. They are definitely going to a good cause. Keep up the good work. Even though they’re not here, they’re a blessing to our community. We really appreciate them to the highest form.”