Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and more than 150 allies will gather in Los Angeles on May 6 for our Invisible No More: Native Movement Building summit and celebration. This event, held at the enigmatic L.A. cultural outpost The Underground Museum, will bring together national and global movements to discuss youth advocacy, narrative change strategies, and lessons from Standing Rock. We’ll also focus on best practices, and other major issues and innovations in Native American communities and across movements.

The issues and unique sovereign rights of Native Americans are often ignored or excluded, even in “woke” circles and spaces. The movement first sparked by Standing Rock has created a Ferguson-like moment for the Native American community.

NAP has been a consistent advocate for the protection of tribal sovereignty, land and water rights, and Native youth healing, by partnering with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and My Brother’s Keeper, as well as building cross-movement advocacy efforts. NAP has also focused its work toward carrying on the Obama administration’s legacy through Generation Indigenous (#GenIndigenous), an initiative first started by President Barack Obama in 2014. #GenIndigenous continues to encourage Native American youth to continue to draw on their Indigenous cultures, experiences and worldview as tools for social change.

Grounded by a “Movement of Movements” theme, this event on May 6 will shed light on the issues that affect us all, making them #InvisibleNoMore. Critical conversations will also highlight ways in which partners can collaborate and use social capital to support community-led solutions. Panels and breakout sessions will cover movement-building partnerships, youth advocacy, healing, mass incarceration, and more. This event will highlight our #GenIndigenous Regional Convenings amplifying work of non-profits serving native youth. (The next convening will be held in Seattle on April 28 with fall convenings scheduled for Southern California and Southwest regions.) The event will also support NAP’s #GenIndigenous Response Fund which provides grants to youth organizing groups responding to the current moment in ways that build long-term power for Native youth. Donations made to the fund will launch the first ever #GenIndigenous Virtual Giving Circle.

NAP believes there is no greater time for allies to add their voices to the movement than now, and is proud to join forces these allies to honor the spirituality, resiliency, voices, and priorities of Native Americans, especially in such a challenging socio-political environment:

  • Dr. Bob Ross, president and chief executive officer for The California Endowment, established to address the health needs of Californians (and which is also a member of The Funders’ Network)
  • Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas
  • Twila True, founder of True Family Enterprises and the True Sioux Hope Foundation, which assists the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation by providing critical aid and support for the creation of a sustainable infrastructure
  • Actress and activist America Ferrera
  • Activists and philanthropists Max and Vicki Kennedy
  • Ty Stiklorius, president and CEO of the entertainment firm Friends at Work, which supports culturally transformative artists and initiatives
  •  Ernie Stevens, Jr., chairman and national spokesperson for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)
  •  Holly Cook Macarro, a partner in Spirit Rock Consulting and former director of the Office of Native American Affairs for the Democratic National Committee

If you are interested in learning more or attending this event, please contact NAP at events@nativephilanthropy.org.

About the Author: Jennifer Fairbanks is a communications specialist for Native Americans in Philanthropy, a membership-based organization that promotes reciprocity and investment in, with and for Native peoples to build healthy and sustainable communities for all.

About this blog post: TFN is proud to celebrate and share stories and items of interest that are important to our funders and the broader philanthropic community. If you are interested in submitting an item to our blog, please contact TFN Communications Director Tere Figueras Negrete.