Native Community Political Power 

In national discussions around political empowerment, large swaths of the public often forget about Indigenous communities. Despite the systemic overlook of Native voters, past election cycles have proven the power of the Native Vote in swing states to shift electoral outcomes – most recently seen in Arizona during 2020.
The outcome of the 2024 Election is crucial for many reasons – with the looming threat against women’s & LGBTQ2S+’s bodily autonomy, freedom of speech, and essentially, democracy – it also presents a new level of adversity to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. As Indigenous leaders, organizers, and community members, this is the time to come together to envision a sustainable effort that places strategic activism, resource mobilization, capacity building, and narrative change as means to build Native community political power. As a movement-building organization, NDN Collective knows that grassroots organizing is integral to the building of Indigenous power and community self-determination, which can then be exercised at the polls and beyond.

Kellian Staggers

Social movement organizing and activism play a crucial role in the effort to empower Native communities, as they raise awareness about key issues impacting us, from environmental justice to treaty rights. Through direct action, community organizing, and coalition-building, Indigenous communities create space for collective solidarity that advocates for systemic change. When we mobilize our community members, we ensure that Indigenous voices are amplified and affirm Native perspectives are being represented throughout the entirety of the political process, not just during elections.
Other Native-led organizations such as Native Organizers Alliance (NOA) and Advance Native Political Leadership (ANPL) are at the forefront of empowering Indigenous communities, advocating for policy changes, and ensuring that Native voices are represented and heard in political processes across Turtle Island. Both NOA and ANPL empower and equip Native leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to engage in political processes and advocate for the rights of Indigenous People. At NDN Collective, we see our role in democracy and civic engagement work as a container that brings together community leaders and policymakers who support the development of a shared, muti-racial political analysis that fights authoritarianism through systemic change from the intersection of LANDBACK and Black Reparations, in pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

This multifaceted approach involves collective power building through political

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