Tewa Women United (TWU)

Background

The organization began as a grassroots support group before transitioning into a registered charity. Its operational philosophy, the Tewa Braiding Way, is a framework that combines traditional Indigenous concepts with Western left-wing social justice theories. Historically, the group has focused on environmental activism, specifically targeting the Los Alamos National Laboratory for its role in nuclear proliferation and potential ecological contamination. This focus is part of a broader “environmental justice” platform. ^{1  4  5}

The organization has expanded its advocacy into gender-related policy and identity politics. This includes formal support for sex-reassignment treatments for minors, which the group has labeled “medically necessary” and a component of “body sovereignty.” TWU also manages the A’Gin Project, a program targeting youth sexuality and violence prevention, and the Yiya Vi Kagingdi Doula Project, which provides birthing services framed through a “reproductive justice” lens. Through the Healing Foods Oasis, the group manages a community garden to promote local food production while lobbying for state-level legislative changes, including the expansion of the child tax credit and other welfare initiatives. ^{6  7  8  9  10}

Financials

For the 2024 tax year, Tewa Women United reported total revenues of $2,210,701. The majority of this funding, $2,134,178 (96.5 percent), was derived from contributions. Other revenues included investment income of $61,699 (2.8 percent), program services revenues totaling $18,434, and other miscellaneous revenues of $23,915. These gains were slightly offset by a loss of $27,525 from the sale of assets. Total expenses for the year were $2,101,680. A significant portion of these expenditures went toward personnel, with $706,680 (33.6 percent) allocated to salaries and wages. The organization concluded the year with a net income of $109,021, and $10,043,062 in total assets against $66,275 in total liabilities, resulting in net assets of $9,976,787. ¹¹

In 2024, the First Nations Development Institute awarded Tewa Women United four grants totaling $600,000, in amounts of $75,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $450,000 for economic development. The First Nations Development Institute is a left-leaning grantmaking body that supports environmental activism and provides financial resources to Native American communities for business and economic growth. ^{12  13}

Leadership

As of March 2026, Corrine Sanchez works as the executive director of Tewa Women United, a role she has held for over two decades. She earned a doctorate in justice studies from Arizona State University and is a graduate of the Move to End Violence program. Sanchez has served on the New Mexico Governor’s Advisory Council on Racial Justice and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Advisory Council. ^{14  15}

As of March 2026, Nathana Bird is the interim executive director while Sanchez is on sabbatical. Bird has been with the organization since 2007, previously working as an associate director and program manager for the A’Gin Healthy Sexuality and Body Sovereignty Project. She has professional ties to Northern New Mexico College, where she has worked as the director of the Native American Center. ^{16  1}