Hi John,
Despite making up 3.1% of the voting population in America, Native Americans and Alaska Natives only hold 0.36% of elected office.
It's Native American Heritage Month, so let's talk about how we change that.
One of our core theories of change is that local folks know their communities best. So in that spirit, we are going to #PassTheMic this Native American Heritage Month to the folks who know Indigenous communities best.
That's why we encourage you to follow these 7 Indigenous and Native-focused organizations. Listen to their voices, support their work, and answer their calls to action.
Seeding Sovereignty: Founded by an activist at Standing Rock and managed by youth, they work towards land liberation, founded on the tenets of mutual aid, community defense, and emancipation through education.
IllumniNatives: Founded by Crystal Echo Hawk and led by Native peoples, IllumiNative is a new nonprofit initiative designed to increase the visibility of -- and challenge the negative narrative about -- Native Nations and peoples in American society. Using their research, they’ve been able to hone in on the pop culture, media, and K-12 drivers that misrepresent Native Nations in American society.
NDN Collective: NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building and narrative change, they are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.
Lakota People's Law Project: Started in 2004, LPLP aims to assist in the reclamation of Indigenous lands and to stop all threats to the Lakota culture. They rightly insist Native Peoples possess inherent sovereignty and the right to autonomous rule and self-determination. LPLP fights for environmental justice, the teaching of nuanced, comprehensive history, and advocates for voting rights, while ensuring Native Children stay with their families.
Indigenous Women Rising: Committed to honoring Native and Indigenous People's inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options. They advocate for accessible health education, resources, and equality.
Native Organizers Alliance: Dedicated to building the organizing capacity of tribes, these organizers and community groups work for transformational policy change while providing a forum for Native leaders, organizers, and organizations to work in collaboration with each other and non-Native national allies.
Native Women Lead: Aims to shift systems by inspiring and empowering Indigenous women to become entrepreneurs and community leaders.
If you have any other Indigenous and Native organizations or leaders you think we should lift up, please reply to this email! Our team is always working to make more connections and build collective power for the progressive movement.
Thank you,
Run for Something
