Cultural Preservation
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Food & Agriculture
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Climate Action
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Youth & STEM/TEK Education
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Cultural Preservation + Food & Agriculture + Climate Action + Youth & STEM/TEK Education +
News & Press Releases
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Earth Island Journal, January 2025
Indigenous farmers in the US Southwest are bringing back traditional crop varieties and finding new ways to protect them.
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The Nature Conservancy, December 11, 2024
Flower Hill Institute looks forward to working with participating tribes, the State of New Mexico, and the Nature Conservancy to facilitate Indigenous stewardship of this incredible landscape. This is a first-of-its-kind project and a huge step forward for the future of Tribally-led conservation.
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Sri Sathya Sai International Organization - USA, September 2024
The day began with a Tewa prayer circle and introductions. Eleven Sai volunteers from Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado along with five people from the Bodhi Manda Zen Center, including Abbess Hosen, were present, to join in the tree planting efforts and reverentially witness the spiritual rites.
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Edible New Mexico, October 20, 2022
Due to labor shortages, sickness, and slowed production among major meat processing companies, supply chain issues became more apparent—Leading to a $1 billion investment in USDA Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives.
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The Hill, August 31, 2022
Despite the tremendous cultural, historical and wildlife significance, the Caja del Rio faces numerous threats — including wildfires, mining, poaching, vandalism, desecration, illegal dumping and habitat fragmentation… Pueblo governors, spiritual leaders, outdoor recreationists and community advocates — have all come together to advocate for permanent protections for the Caja.
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Native America Calling, June 6, 2022
Flower Hill Institute was invited to be featured in a live-broadcasted interview with Native America Calling host, Shawn Spruce, to give an overview of the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance program, and to discuss how it seeks to help underrepresented small meat and poultry processors and business owners. Interested in tuning in?
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Albuquerque Journal, May 5, 2022
Co-Founder and Cultural Advisor Joseph Brophy Toledo helps amplify the importance of protecting Chaco Canyon and advocating for a 10-mile buffer zone for one of the most important sacred sites to the Southwestern Pueblo communities in New Mexico.
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Newsweek, April 27, 2022
Co-Founder and Executive Director Roger Fragua and Climate Advisor Ryan Mast highlight the important role Indigenous communities play in climate adaptation, but lack sufficient support and input in the execution and investment of these efforts in Indian country.
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Tribal Business News, April 11, 2022
Tribal Business News highlights the role of Flower Hill Institute as the lead Technical Assistance Coordinator for the USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance (MPPTA) Program and its important contributions to opening up new opportunities for trade and supply relief in Indian Country.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), March 25, 2022
Flower Hill Institute partners with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, as a Technical Assistance Coordinator, for the USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program to help match USDA grant-applicants with the proper technical assistance they need to successfully complete their federal grant applications.
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KOAT Action 7 News, November 7, 2021
Flower Hill Institute celebrates Native American Heritage Month by partnering with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to host a day full of activities to help inspire the next generation of Indigenous leaders and emphasize the importance of community and cultural knowledge.
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Vox Media, October 12, 2021
Roger Fragua, a former administrator for the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico, said the Indigenous lens should be applied to any future conservation campaigns, including jaguars. “We tend to think of landscapes instead of states and counties,” Fragua said. “We think of the whole ecosystem instead of jurisdictions.”
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The Salt Lake Tribune, January 1, 2021
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Flower Hill Institute, Roger Fragua, joins Ted Roosevelt V to discuss the shared interest of conserving the American Bison, in hopes of finding common ground during a time of strong political divide in the United States.
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Underwriters Laboratories (UL), July 31, 2019
Flower Hill Institute was awarded with the honor of recognition for Youth Environmental Education STEM Programming alongside six other non-profit organizations by the North American Association for Environmental Education and Underwriters Laboratories for their 2019 UL Innovative Education Award ULIEA.
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Earth Keepers 360, 2017
Flower Hill Institute Co-Founder and Cultural Advisor Joseph Brophy Toledo has been a longtime friend of EarthKeepers, and with Rev. Black, led the EarthKeepers spiritual leaders trip to protect Bears Ears National Monument, as well as helped protect wildlife corridors in the Upper Rio Grande.
Annual Reports
Photo & Video Gallery
Cultural Gathering at Vermejo Park Ranch
On August 23rd, 2025 the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch Land Trust Tribes were invited for a cultural gathering, one with ceremony, song and storytelling. The land we gathered on hasn't seen felt the drum beat or heard the songs in the last 225 years, this momentous occasion brought tears and smiles to the participants but more importantly, awakened the wing, finned, four legged, microbes and pollinators on the landscape. Multiple generations from multiple Tribes attended this cultural gathering and thus began and launched the reconnection of these people, these entities and this land.
Earth Day Celebration
In April 2024, Flower Hill Institute celebrated Earth Day by planting trees, enjoying a dance by Butterfly Dancers and a discussion about composting over lunch. We want to extend a special thank you to Region 9 Sathya Sai Baba Organization and the Bodhi Manda Zen Center as well as our wonderful volunteers.
The Pillars of Flower Hill Institute, An Interview with Janet Adkison at RFD-TV
Roger Fragua joins Janet Adkison from RFD-TV to discuss more about Flower Hill Institute and the four pillars of work that inspire many of the projects at the Indigenous-led nonprofit. Fragua shares some of the resources and values behind the actions and projects facilitated by the organization.
“It's almost GAME OVER, we Lose A LOT"
Fragua speaks on the importance of the MPPTA program focusing on small businesses and underserved farmers in the US while touching on the importance of food sovereignty and security for all consumers. He pulls from personal experience in Indian Country to talk more about why bringing some relief to the US food supply chain system is an important step for local food producers and small meat and poultry processors.
MEAT SUPPLY: "There will be NOTHING left but a Hot Pocket and a L'Eggo My Eggo in a microwave."
Executive Director & Co-Founder Roger Fragua had the chance to speak with Yanasa TV, Meet My Neighbor Productions, Inc., for a two-part interview discussing Flower Hill Institute and its new role as the lead coordinator for the USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance (MPPTA) program.
More Photos and Videos
Inter-Tribal Buffalo Dance
Sharing Indigenous Foodways, through this program, we feature Native American Chefs and Community Tribal members. To learn more about the program and to see all the videos, click here.
In 2021, Flower Hill Institute was part of the Albuquerque Community Foundation’s Great Grant Giveaway.
COVID PSA
During this time of incredible instability and change, we hope that you and your family remain safe and healthy.
Valles Caldera Herbal Education Filming
Pictures from our Valles Caldera Herbal Educational Walk on August 25, 2020.
Radio & Podcast Interviews
Flower Hill Institute YouTube Channel
