About St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School
St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School is a private, Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the people of the Eastern Navajo Nation. Our mission is to foster self-sufficiency through education, employment, housing, and outreach services that provide essential resources like food, water, and clothing.
For over 50 years, we’ve been committed to sharing the goodness of God by addressing the pressing needs of the Diné community. Our vision is that all Navajo people have access to quality education, a life free from pressing survival needs, and the opportunity for economic self-sufficiency.
Where We Work
Located in Thoreau, New Mexico, on the southeastern edge of the Navajo Nation, our mission operates in a region characterized by high altitudes, arid conditions, and limited resources. The Eastern Navajo Nation faces significant challenges, including a 67% unemployment rate and pervasive poverty. We collaborate with over 10 local Navajo agencies to serve those most in need.
A Legacy of Hope (Chapter 1: Introduction)
Director's Message
At St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School, we are motivated each day by the desire to mutually share the goodness of God. As a Catholic social service agency, we remain committed to following the call of our Lord Jesus to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and provide shelter to the homeless.
Unfortunately, the plight of the Diné (Navajo people) has not changed dramatically since the Mission began its work over 50 years ago. There are still many Diné who face a constant struggle with the crushing burdens of poverty so prevalent on the Navajo Nation.
We know that poverty is at the root of the many challenges facing Native Americans and that, given the resources and opportunities, those living in poverty can lift themselves and their families from it. Through our outreach services and school, “St. Bonaventure Indian Mission” strives to meet the needs of the Navajo people every day to ensure that each and every one of these children of God is not only able to meet their daily survival needs and maintain their dignity, but also that the doors remain open to allow for self-sufficiency and improved quality of life through education and employment.
— Chris Halter, Executive Director