New Mexico Legal Aid
New Mexico Legal Aid
New Mexico Legal Aid has learned that the deadline for applying for FEMA assistance has been extended to August 4th, 2022. This gives New Mexicans more time to apply for federal disaster benefits. The previous deadline was July 5th.
New Mexico Legal Aid has joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State Bar of New Mexico Young Lawyers Division, and the American Bar Association to assist New Mexico wildfire victims. We are urging New Mexicans to get their FEMA applications submitted. The State of New Mexico also has disaster unemployment and disaster SNAP benefits available for Wildfire Victims. We encourage New Mexicans to apply for those even though the deadlines already expired (See below).
“Legal assistance nonprofits like New Mexico Legal Aid have historically worked in conjunction with the American Bar Association and state and local bar associations to provide free “disaster legal services” in areas impacted by disaster declarations,” NMLA Executive Director Lewis Creekmore said.
“We will assist with FEMA applications, appeals of denials, document replacement and litigation related to FEMA/disaster issues. We will also assist legal non-FEMA issues that arise because of the fire impact, including D-SNAP and disaster unemployment assistance.”
On Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. please join our in-person disaster legal resources and assistance clinic at New Mexico Highlands University.
Also, the State Bar of New Mexico, Young Lawyers division has a legal hotline currently available to connect wildfire evacuees to free legal services in qualifying counties impacted by the federal disaster declaration. The helpline is primarily for survivors/victims from Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel, Valencia counties but anyone impacted by the fires can call. Evacuees can call (888)985-5141. The hotline is staffed from Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. MST please leave a message if calling after hours. New Mexico Legal Aid will work closely with the State Bar of New Mexico, Young Lawyers Division, FEMA, Legal Services Corporation, Red Cross and CYFD to help those impacted by the wildfires recover.
Helpline callers may get help with legal issues such as:
- FEMA and other financial benefits, including denials
- Assistance for agricultural producer and small businesses
- Document replacement
- Price gouging, scams, or identity theft
- Landlord and tenant problems, or threats of foreclosure and eviction
- Home repair contracts, insurance property claims and denials
Survivors can call the hotline anytime and leave a message if calling after hours.
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The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited its Community Resiliency Fund nonprofit grantees to submit stories related to their wildfire relief efforts.
Santa Fe Indigenous Center
The Santa Fe Indigenous Center is a Native-led nonprofit serving Indigenous families across Santa Fe County. Through biweekly food drives, cultural events, community programs, emergency financial assistance, and a robust network of referral resources, SFIC supports the diverse needs of the local Indigenous community. Each year, the organization hosts its signature event — the Honoring Native Nations Powwow on Indigenous Peoples’ Day — bringing dancers, drummers, Tribal Dignitaries, artists, and community members together to celebrate Indigenous culture, joy, and resilience. This year’s powwow was a vibrant success, and SFIC looks forward to continuing this tradition in 2026.
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Last year, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian opened Carved Stories by Hopi artist Mavasta Honyouti. Featuring all sixteen low-relief carvings from the Coming Home series — created in tandem with Honyouti’s children’s book Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story — the exhibit recounts his grandfather Clyde Honyouti’s experience at an off-reservation federal boarding school. This Indigenous-led project offers a powerful and visually compelling reflection on Hopi life, culture, and history. As Brian Vallo notes, “Carved Stories… is both powerful and beautiful.”
Kha'p'o Community School
With support from the Native American Advised Fund, sixth-grade students at Kha’p’o Community School embarked on Our Voice, Our Stories — a year-long documentary project blending traditional Tewa arts and modern digital storytelling. Through pottery, weaving, sewing, and film, students explored their cultural identity and celebrated their voices as young Tewa people.
