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Yesterday marked Indigenous Peoples' Day—a day that Indigenous communities have reclaimed to celebrate resilience, honor ancestors, affirm traditions, and assert continued existence despite historical erasure. Because of powerful movements to tell the truth about our shared history, over a dozen states now recognize this day on the second Monday in October. But our work is not done yet.
We must continue to support Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives as we build power for racial justice.
One such organization is NDN Collective, launched on Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2018. This team of organizers, practitioners, and community builders works at the intersection of organizing, grantmaking, and narrative change. We’re thrilled to share that NDN Collective will host an art activation at the Just Narratives for Multiracial Solidarity convening (November 13-15 in St. Louis), the anchor event of our Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy (November 8-16).
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As NDN Collective President & CEO Nick Tilsen stated in Lakota Times on their launch day: "Indigenous artists will sing songs of freedom and paint murals of the future we are fighting for."
This vision—that arts and culture play an essential role in democracy—is central to the Cultural Week of Action on Race
and Democracy. When communities nationwide come together through public installations, storytelling events, teach-ins, and other cultural expressions for multiracial democracy, we’re building an infrastructure to sustain systemic change.
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Watch our webinar for inspiring true stories and mini performances that are shaping policy and community
change–and learn how you can participate.
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During Cultural Week of Action and at the Just Narratives convening, NDN Collective's installation will showcase the power of screenprinting alongside narrative strategists, cultural workers, and movement builders who understand that authentic stories rooted in liberation can change our world for the better.
Here's how you can join in:
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- Host your own cultural activity during Cultural Week of Action (November 8-16) and add it to our interactive map so others can participate. Organize events and
experiences that advance justice while strengthening community connections. Get started by using our toolkit.
- Watch our webinar for inspiration and practical tools to organize your own Cultural Week of Action event.
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- Live performances and heartfelt discussions, featuring Gangstagrass
- Conversation with Patrisse Cullors, author and activist
- Four pathways to take action—home, workplace, community, City Hall
- An interactive map connecting your event with others nationwide, so no one is building alone
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join advocates who are advancing democracy through narrative and cultural strategies. Registration closes October 20.
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John, building a just, multiracial democracy requires both dismantling harmful systems and creating alternatives that reflect our shared values—work that happens through both narrative change and cultural organizing. Together we can successfully shift the narrative, reclaim the deeper meaning of democracy, and elevate the power of culture to shape what comes next.
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Copyright © Race Forward, PO Box 96353, Washington, DC 20090-6353, USA
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