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Supporting Native Students in Rural Communities

The Museum of Indigenous People’s Annual Backpack Drive is underway.

Each year, through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners, we collect new backpacks and school supplies to support Native students in rural communities. This campaign is more than a supply drive — it’s a commitment to helping young scholars begin the school year with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to succeed.

From Prescott to communities across the Navajo Nation and other Native regions, your donations make a direct and meaningful impact.

How You Can Help

We are accepting:

• Monetary donations

• NEW backpacks

• NEW school supplies

• Spiral notebooks

• Composition notebooks

• Loose-leaf paper

• Folders

• 3-ring binders

• Pencils

• Pens

• Colored pencils

• Crayons

• Markers

• Highlighters

• Erasers

• Pencil sharpeners

• Pencil boxes or pencil pouches

• Glue sticks

• Scissors

• Rulers

• Index cards

• Dry erase markers

• Copy paper

Donations may be dropped off at:

• Museum of Indigenous People 147 N Arizona Ave Prescott, AZ 86301

• Monday–Saturday | 10 AM – 4 PM

• Supplies are distributed to Native students in rural communities with limited resources.

Why It Matters

For many families in rural Native communities, access to school supplies can be limited. A new backpack filled with essentials does more than prepare a student for class — it communicates care, encouragement, and belief in their future.

This annual campaign has become a joyful and meaningful tradition at the museum. It brings together donors, schools, volunteers, and community members who want to invest in the next generation.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributes from donors who provide supplies, to volunteers who sort and transport materials across long distances, to partner organizations who help us coordinate distribution.

Together, we are helping young Native scholars begin the school year ready to learn.