BUILDING POWER FOR NATIVE PEOPLES
To build power for Native peoples, we must build a movement of many movements. High-impact moments, which are key to shifting narratives about Native peoples, are created when narrative, culture, and grassroots organizing come together to effect change.
Our Movement Building + Organizing program houses our grassroots-centered organizing efforts across Native communities. We build power for Native peoples by strengthening the ability of Native organizations and tribes to utilize narrative and culture change strategies effectively.
Through building relationships with grassroots Native organizations, tribes, nonprofits, and allies, and supporting their organizing efforts, our work creates connective tissue and activation networks. We use grantmaking, capacity building, and high-impact and inclusive campaigns that are grounded in narrative and culture change strategies and informed by our original research.
Photo: Josué Rivas
PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
NATIVES VOTE 2022
Mobilizing new and existing Native voters, our Natives Vote program ensures that Native voices and issues are heard at the ballot box. We utilize audience research, narrative and cultural strategy, and digital and grassroots organizing to increase civic engagement among Native voters and increase the representation of Native peoples at all levels of local, state, and federal government. This work is critical to building power and advancing justice, equity, and self-determination for Native peoples.
FOR THE LOVE OF OUR PEOPLE / COVID-19 VACCINE CAMPAIGN
For the Love of Our People, launched in partnership with the Urban Indian Health Institute, supported grassroots-led efforts to ensure Native communities are protected and prepared in the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic.
The campaign used research-informed messaging and rapid response grantmaking to create and disseminate resources and content that reached and resonated with Native peoples to promote vaccinations and efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Photo: Josué Rivas
ADVOCATING FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
It is crucial that Native communities and our allies fight for authentic, accurate, and contemporary representations of Native Americans and advocate for the recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in their communities.
IllumiNative has created research-informed lesson plans and guides to advocate and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in your community. In our toolkit, you will find case studies, key questions and answers, messages, a comprehensive how-to-guides on advocating to your representative and building a coalition, and more.
