January kicked off the new year with intention, momentum, and a whole lot of heart. From youth programs returning after winter break to community gatherings centered on wellness, culture, and connection, our teams and young people started 2026 showing up for one another in powerful ways. The month reminded us that new beginnings are built on consistency, care, and community.
Here are some highlights from a month filled with connection, growth, and meaningful moments.
Chekws Counseling Services January Data
January was a busy and impactful month for our counseling team at Two Feathers! Our clinicians and interns provided over 500 hours of individual support across 174 clients throughout Humboldt County — from Eastern Humboldt to Northern and Southern Humboldt. With 15 dedicated staff and 2 amazing interns, we also welcomed 10 new clients into our circle of care. Every hour spent represents a moment of connection, healing, and growth for our Tribal youth and families.
Honoring Culture in the Classroom
Across Humboldt County, Two Feathers Native American Family Services is honored to partner with local schools to bring cultural presentations into classrooms and campus spaces. These visits create opportunities for students to learn directly from local Native community members, deepen their understanding of Indigenous histories and living cultures, and engage in meaningful conversations about identity, community, and belonging.
Our cultural presentations often include sharing about local Tribal communities, traditional values, ceremonies, regalia, and contemporary Native life. Just as important, they create space for curiosity. Students are encouraged to ask questions, reflect, and make connections—helping foster respect, empathy, and cultural awareness at an early age. For Native students, these moments can be especially powerful, offering representation and affirmation of who they are. For non-Native students, they provide a chance to learn beyond textbooks and challenge stereotypes with real stories and relationships.
One recent example was our visit to South Bay School, where Two Feathers was invited to present for the school’s Native American Club. This marked our second year returning to their campus, and it was meaningful to be welcomed back. We shared about local cultures and ceremonies, answered thoughtful questions from students, and were especially touched when several youth remembered us from last year—and even from presentations at other schools. These moments remind us that the impact of cultural sharing continues long after a single visit.
By bringing culture into schools, we help build bridges between education systems and Native communities, strengthen cultural pride among Native youth, and promote understanding across the broader student population. Two Feathers remains committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and ensuring that culture, history, and lived experience are honored as vital parts of education in Humboldt County.
YLD Kick Off
We kicked off our Winter/Spring Youth Ambassador session in January with 33 incredible Youth Ambassadors from across Humboldt County—spanning from Fortuna to McKinleyville and east to Hoopa. Our amazing Youth Development Specialists are supporting each young person as they stay focused on their goals and continue building important work and leadership skills.
Over the next five months, Youth Ambassadors will dive into community advocacy projects, engage in cultural learning and sharing, strengthen their work skills through internships with community partners, and support local events and activities. We are so excited to see what this cohort accomplishes and the many ways they will positively impact their communities this year.
ACORN 2026
The ACORN Youth Wellness Program is kicking off its Make it Stronger, 2026 series with an exciting day of Blue Lake Adventures—a wellness-focused gathering centered on helping youth appreciate and celebrate their whole selves.
This special session will take place on Monday, February 16 from 10:30am–2:00pm and will include a variety of hands-on, culturally grounded, and fun activities such as:
- Local cultural teachings
- Games in nature
- Painting project
- Nature hike & plant identification
- Traditional food tasting
- Roller skating
ACORN sessions create safe, supportive spaces where Native youth can connect with culture, build relationships, explore identity, and strengthen their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. These gatherings are all about learning, laughter, and growing together.
Families are encouraged to register early to save a spot for their youth.
🔗 Use this link to register
📧 Questions? Email rachel.f@twofeathers-nafs.org
We’re looking forward to another powerful year of ACORN programming and hope to see your youth there!
Save the Date: 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Block Party
Spring is right around the corner, and we’re excited to announce that our 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Block Party is coming up on Friday, April 3 at Two Feathers NAFS in McKinleyville!
This beloved community tradition brings together youth, families, and partners for an afternoon of fun, laughter, and connection. Each year, our Easter Egg Hunt & Block Party grows a little bigger—and a little more joyful—as we gather to celebrate community, culture, and togetherness.
This free event will feature a festive egg hunt, family-friendly activities, and space for everyone to enjoy time with friends and neighbors. It’s a chance for our community to come together in a welcoming, safe environment where youth can play, families can connect, and memories can be made.
✨ All are welcome.
✨ Free event.
✨ More information coming soon.
Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for additional details about activity times and how to participate. We can’t wait to celebrate our 5th year of this special event with you!
Ayukîi Nani’Afyíiv
We have had so much fun with Ayukîi Nani’Afyíiv (Hello Friend in Karuk) playgroup this past year! In conjunction with First Five Humboldt, we have brought resources inland to help lay a foundation for a healthy future for parents and their kids. Mental health for kids starts with supported parents and a safe community that supports play.
We got to go to the Tishavniik Tribal farm to get pumpkins and do a photo shoot, learned infant massage from Judy Beaver, got dental care information and Redwood coast regional center information, shared hand me downs, went on many walks, learned songs in Karuk, Yurok, and English, made wreaths, and spent a lot of time river side (the original school house). Big thanks to Save CA Salmon for the Kayaks for our last river day of the summer, to Cynthia Kesserling for providing our meals, Rachel Budai-Fieberg for being a co-facilitator, and the families who participate to help provide a fun environment for our babies to learn and grow up in.
– Yôotva- Maymi Preston-Donahue, LCSW and Orleans playgroup Two Feathers Staff Facilitator
Staff Anniversary Celebration
This month we’re celebrating three amazing Two Feathers team members whose dedication, leadership, and commitment continue to uplift and support our Tribal youth, families, and staff.
✨ Brittany – Chief of Staff | 3 years of service
✨ Itzel – Access Coordinator | 2 years of service
✨ GeorgieAnna – Bookkeeper | 2 years of service
Thank you all of you for the incredible work you do each day. Your leadership, care, and vision strengthen our team and the organization as a whole. We are grateful to celebrate these milestones with you and to have you as part of the Two Feathers family.
