2026 Backpack Drive: Community Impact
- MIP Author
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 31
MIP Volunteer Keegan Gibbs (Lakota/Osage) helps sort school supplies before delivery to Native Schol 
Photo by Abel N with Trini N: MIP Backpack Drive 
Photo by Abel N with Trini N: MIP Backpack Drive 
Photo By: Abel N and Wilma K
What started out as donations coming into the Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott grew into 950 backpacks and supply bags for Native students in the Navajo Nation, Hopi and San Carlos Apache communities. During the month of June, community members donated new backpacks, school supplies and money, while museum volunteers sorted through donations, organized backpacks by age and prepared the backpacks for delivery all over Arizona.
The 2026 Annual Backpack Drive is more than the amount of supplies collected. It's about the collaboration of donors, volunteers, museum staff and community members coming together to help Native students kick off the school year with the essentials they need and knowing they have a community behind them.
Backpack Drive & 950 Bags for Native Students
MIP volunteer Lisa Tsosie carried 500 donated backpacks and school supplies from the museum to the Navajo Nation, where they will be distributed during youth day celebrations. MIP volunteer Greg Byrum and Administrative Coordinator Trudy Gibbs prepared to deliver 200 bags of supplies to the San Carlos Apache community, including 150 bags for upper-grade students and 50 bags for younger children, while another 250 bags were prepared for distribution within the Hopi community.
In total, 950 backpacks and supply bags will be given to the communities. Each bag is filled with the donations of materials, money, and time from generous people who helped prepare the supplies for delivery.
The Work Behind the Drive
A collection drive of this magnitude is the result of countless hours of work by many people, most of whom will remain unseen. Volunteers collected, sorted, and counted donations such as notebooks, pencils, folders, and other school supplies. They sorted through donations, grouped them by age, packed the supplies into bags, and even helped with transportation across the state.
Among the volunteers was Keegan Gibbs, Lakota and Osage, who helped sort through school supplies before sending them off to kids all over the area. He and his fellow volunteers, along with museum staff, made the month-long donation drive a reality for countless families and students.
More Than School Supplies
A backpack full of school supplies alleviates a significant financial burden for some families as they begin the new school year. Additionally, this initiative helps ensure our students have all the basics necessary to be successful learners in the classroom.
But more than anything, these bags represent what we believe about our students’ futures. A new backpack sends a powerful message, you matter and your education matters. We are here because we care.
The Annual Backpack Drive has become an important tradition for the Museum of Indigenous People, where we bring together donors, volunteers, schools, families, and community partners under one common purpose: supporting Native Students through Educational Opportunity.
The Museum’s Mission in Action
The Backpack Drive shows that the museum does more than just displays and exhibits. The Museum of Indigenous People wants people to understand and respect the Indigenous cultures of the Southwest. Programs like this backpack drive help make that happen by building relationships, involving the community, and offering direct help.
The museum is grateful to everyone who gave a backpack, bought school supplies, donated money, helped sort items, pack bags, move donations, or organize the distribution. Together, they prepared 950 backpacks and supply bags for students in three Native communities.
The 2026 Backpack Drive is over, but the museum's educational and community programs keep going all year. If you want to support this work, you can volunteer, donate, or get more involved with the museum's programs and events.
Plan your Visit
The Museum of Indigenous People is located at 147 North Arizona Avenue in Prescott, Arizona. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed Sunday.
Continue Supporting the Museum
Learn more about volunteering with the Museum of Indigenous People:
Support the museum’s educational and community programs:
