Good Things Happen to Good People...

Let's hope that this isn't the last time that NDN families are shown in a positive light on primetime...

--ryan




Piestewa Family Surprised With New Home Courtesy of ABC Television's
Extreme Home Makeover!

TUBA CITY, Ariz., April 12 /PRNewswire/

-- The Piestewa family was unable to contain their surprise and joy this morning when they heard ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host Ty Pennington's signature "Good Morning" wake up call from outside their home in Tuba City, Ariz. Pennington and the show's designers arrived at the Piestewas' front door at 7:30 this morning to reveal that they would be the recipients of a new home, marking the first time since the show's inception that a Native American family was selected.

The Piestewa family is well known to many in Arizona and in the
Native American community as Terry and Percy Piestewa, the parents of Army Spec. Lori Piestewa. Piestewa is believed to be the first Native American woman to die in combat while defending her country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Inspired by the Piestewas' Hopi heritage, Extreme Makeover: Home
Edition sought the help of the National Congress of American Indians
(NCAI) in their fundraising efforts to Indian Nations for support and sponsorship. It was through NCAI's outreach that the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from Southern California first learned of the needs and stepped in to assist with the project.

"Our tribe strongly believes in the importance of community and
helping our tribal brothers and sisters, and Extreme Makeover is all
about building a better home and life for families in need," said
Chairman Deron Marquez of the San Manuel Band of Mission
Indians. "When we were approached by the show our tribe signed on
immediately to make a donation to the Piestewa family's new home,
because we have witnessed first-hand how building new homes and
fostering strong communities can vastly improve the quality of life
for Indian and non-Indian people alike."

The Hopi and Navajo tribes from Arizona are co-sponsoring the project with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; marking the first time the show also has featured Native American sponsors. In light of this unique episode, special attention will be placed on important Native American-focused cultural elements in the development of the show's storyline and in the home's design and construction.

Several Native American cultural activities unique to each of the
three tribes have been tentatively scheduled throughout the week of
production. Representatives from the San Manuel Band of Mission
Indians, the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe are expected to
participate in these events.

"It is tremendously gratifying that three diverse Native American
tribes would come together to help achieve Lori Piestewa's dream to
build a home for her children and her parents," said Hopi Tribal
Chairman Wayne Taylor, Jr.

In March 2003, Lori Piestewa's convoy was ambushed in the city of An-Nasiriyah -- the same ambush that led to the capture of Pfc. Jessica Lynch who was held for nine days. While serving together in combat,Lynch and Piestewa formed a close friendship. It was during this time that Lori spoke of her desire to someday build a home where her parents could retire. Recalling this conversation, it was Lynch who nominated Piestewa's parents for the home makeover. Since Lori's death, her parents have adopted her two small children, a son age 6 and a daughter age 5.

"Lori was proud of her Hopi heritage and taught all those who knew
her about the great riches of her culture. We knew that to ignore
that culture in the show would be a great disservice to the Piestewa
family and to Lori's memory," said Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
producer Andy Lipson. "Recognizing the importance of their heritage,
ABC and the Extreme Makeover designers are working with the three
tribes to create a home that the family will love and that Lori would be proud of providing for her parents and children."

Construction on the Piestewa family home begins immediately in
Flagstaff, Ariz., while the family is away on a vacation sponsored by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.



About Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

The series is executive-produced by Tom Forman. The show airs Sundays(8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET), on the ABC Television Network.


About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Descendents of the Serrano Indians, the San Manuel Band of Mission
Indians inhabited a territory spanning the San Bernardino Mountains,
valley and adjoining desert lands for centuries. Today, the tribe is
located on the San Manuel Reservation near Highland, Calif. Like
other tribal lands in the United States, the San Manuel Reservation
is a sovereign nation with its own system of government and tribal
laws. The tribe operates the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino and
the San Manuel Bottled Water Group, in addition to managing a variety of economic ventures. A partner in the community, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians actively contributes to a variety of projects in neighboring areas. Nearby cities and towns receive support from the tribe in the way of monetary and bottled water donations for cultural, social, and economic projects to benefit the common good of the communities in which the tribe's members live and work.
Source: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians