Our Story:

The Beginnings

Mike Sweat's love and concern for the Hopi people started in 1975 when he was called as an LDS Missionary to serve the Hopi Reservation. After many years and many of lifes experiences, Mike became successful in his drywall business in Utah and felt very blessed by God. As is his manner, Mike became humbled and felt a deep need to "give back" and to help his fellow man. He saw an abiding need with the Hopi people on the reservation and felt this was an area where he could have a "hands on" experience. Where the people could benefit from his own time and efforts and not just his money. Take a moment to watch the "Mike Sweat Hopi Outreach." This 5 minute video will give the viewer a good idea of what Mike is up to on the Hopi Rez and why.

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Mike Sweat posing at the side of Old Walipi located on First Mesa

Our Mission Statement

As stated on the home page our goals and desires with respect to the Hopi people are:

• Helping the Hopi people obtain the necessities of life
• Honoring & understanding the Hopi culture
• Helping Hopis obtain educational and employment opportunities

Here are some pictures from the previous trips down to the Hopi Reservation as well as some commentary.

Mike and the gang go down to the Rez 4 or 5 times a year with several trailers full of things that are hard or impossible to get on the reservation. The trip this last spring brought down a new tiller for the Moenkopi community and watched over by our friend Hernal Dallas, seen here in the white t-shirt. Mike tries to bring down things for the elderly - things that will make their life easier. Last year he brought down over 600 blankets and quilts to help them get through a cold winter. In the spring he brought down seeds donated by American Indian Services.

Volunteers from the Village of Moenkopi, unpack a brand new tiller, donated by Dale Tingey and the American Indian Services. The tiller is shared by the farmers in the village, (which is virtually everyone), and was greatly needed and much appreciated. Plans are in the works to provide a small tractor to the community this next spring. Moenkopi has the biggest fields of all the villages and has a natural spring which provides for irrigation. The other villages depend mostly on dry farming techniques.

One item that is sorely needed is water jugs. In order to obtain jugs like this, these elderly people would have to travel to a large city, Flagstaff or Phoenix, in order to buy them. Mike Sweats Hopi Outreach is happy to provide these donated items to the elderly of the various villages especially the traditional villages which do not have running water.

Another trailer full of necessities for the Hopi needy. Note the water jugs, clean and usable used clothing items, and bulk food items.

Hartman Rector Jr., Glen Kimber, Mike Sweat, an unknown person,
Mike and Alice (Dashe) Funk, and two unknown people on the end.