That’s nearly 1 in 100 people worldwide.
Or, the population of Great Britain. The majority live in isolated rural areas or growing urban centers, where collectivizing their shared power or reconnecting to their culture and families is challenging. Not only does disconnection and historical trauma challenge Native peoples, but vestigial colonial power structures and white supremacy inhibit advancement. But Indigenizing (especially education) means equitability, justice, and sustainability—in society and in our relationship with the environment, especially for women and youth.
Americans Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) populations are 3.5x as likely to be adversely affected by COVID-19, with 91.6% of AI/AN patients having unknown underlygin medical conditions due to poor healthcare systems for AI/AN peoples.
While only comprising 5% of the terrestrial territory on Earth, Indigenous peoples protect over 80% of global biodiversity and have been instrumental in preventing the expansion of carbon-based energy extraction and protecting water and air.
The failure of K-12 education systems to teach accurate history about Native peoples or our contributions in today’s society promotes an inaccurate history of this country and erases the continued importance our peoples to our world.
Such disparity is due to the intersection of racism and misogyny amplified through decades of willful ignorance by the United States government and state authorities. By elevating disruptive artists and promoting Indigenous women, we create change.
We work with local experts and community members to find the best sustainable solution in each place where we work, whether it’s designing and building a STEM program with Lakota practices, supporting important work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (#MMIWG2S), or building a national-scale artificial intellegence program (NativeAI) to engage non-Native peoples on why an Indigenous future is the best future for all. And with every project we fund, our partners coordinate and establish a local commitment to keep Indigenizing for years to come.
Gregg (Pyramid Lake Paiute) uses his artistic talent to bring attention to the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) and support increased access to healthcare for Native women and girls
Meet Gregg DealTo facilitate the development of Native practices within historically western STEM, Toyota U.S.A. Foundation partnered with us to construct a greenhouse on the Pine Ridge reservation for the Red Cloud Indian School and nurture a Lakota-based science program. Demonstrating the power of partnership, this program yielded a 170% increase in Red Cloud's students entering college with a STEM major.
Learn MoreLearn how The Woape Foundations STEM Grants to the Red Cloud School supported Justin in his pursuit of a career in civil engineering.
Meet JustinTo facilitate the development of Native practices within historically western STEM, Toyota U.S.A. Foundation partnered with us to construct a greenhouse on the Pine Ridge reservation for the Red Cloud Indian School and nurture a Lakota-based science program. Demonstrating the power of partnership, this program yielded a 170% increase in Red Cloud's students entering college with a STEM major.
Learn MoreLearn how Charitie Ropati (yup'ik & sāmoan) turned the lessons and culture she learned from her maternal role models into work developing Native-centric curricula in the U.S.
Meet Charitie
Created 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.
By supporting and illuminating contemporary Native voices, stories, issues and ideas in popular culture and influential social institutions – including the entertainment industry, media, K-12 education, philanthropy, and government – IllumiNative advances an important and powerful new narrative about Native peoples.
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NCAI, a non-profit organization, advocates for a bright future for generations to come by taking the lead to gain consensus on a constructive and promising vision for Indian Country. The organization’s policy issues and initiatives are driven by the consensus of our diverse membership, which consists of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments, tribal citizens, individuals, and Native and non-Native organizations.
The ICN's work inspires, connects and supports Indigenous Peoples, reinforcing our place as leaders in climate change discourse and driving solutions for today and tomorrow. Our work is grounded in four main pathways: Gatherings, Resources and Tools, Amplifying Voices and Supporting Indigenous Sovereignty.
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CSVANW's mission is to stop violence against Native women and children by advocating for social change in our communities. The CSVANW takes ownership and responsibility for the future of Native women and children by providing support, education, and advocacy using our strengths, power and unity to create violence-free communities. CSVANW is an award winning organization at the forefront to a dynamic approach to the tribal domestic and sexual violence fields that is demonstrating the most effective, creative and innovative ways to address and prevent the cycle of violence within communities.
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NABS was created to develop and implement a national strategy that increases public awareness and cultivates healing for the profound trauma experienced by individuals, families, communities, American Indian and Alaska Native Nations resulting from the U.S. adoption and implementation of the Boarding School Policy of 1869. NABS is a membership organization comprised of over 80 Native and Non-Native members and organizations committed to boarding school healing.
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It’s a solid investment; access to an indigenized education is one of the most powerful tools for building sovereign economies and nations.
Our supporters have done some pretty amazing things to raise money for indigenizing education, demanding equity from systems, and building a more sustainable world for all. And they’re thinking of new things to do every day. What will you do?
