Download #NativePower social media assets, watch the video and take the IllumiNative Indigenous Futures Survey: The largest research survey in Indian Country
Earlier in November, the Native-woman-led organization IllumiNative, whose mission “is to build power for Native peoples by amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues to advance justice, equity, and self-determination,” announced three groundbreaking efforts celebrating the resilience and visibility of Indigenous people.
These efforts included a new social media visibility campaign titled #NativePower, which included a new video (you can watch below,) a grand celebration in Hollywood known as Indigenous House L.A. and the introduction of the most comprehensive and largest survey in Indian Country known as the Indigenous Futures Survey, which can be accessed on the IllumiNative site or by following the links below.
During the Indigenous House L.A. event, trailblazers in Indian Country were also honored with the Native Power Builder Awards.
The #Native Power campaign
IllumiNative introduced their #NativePower concept at the beginning of November 2023 with the following announcement:
“We’re proud to announce the launch of our new visibility campaign, NATIVE POWER! This initiative raises the profile of Native accomplishments and shows the world that Native Power is a tradition of excellence to recognize and celebrate every day. Our contributions to arts & entertainment, sports, science, civics, and beyond continue to shape our world and enrich our everyday experiences.
“Native Power is a tradition of excellence that we recognize and celebrate every day. From contributions to arts & entertainment, sports, science, civics, and beyond, Native people continue to shape our world and enrich our everyday experiences. Help us amplify Native Power by sharing this video with your friends and followers and by signing up for IllumiNative’s newsletter, where you’ll find more ways to uplift the voices and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.”
Here is their video showcased on YouTube.
You can download #NativePower social media graphics on the IllumiNative website here, or directly download them here.
Indigenous House LA/Native Power Builder Awards
In October, Illuminative held the first-ever Bespoke event in Hollywood, California, titled Indigenous House: LA. The event, which celebrated an Indigenous market, food, art and music, and a performance by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, honored the first annual group of recipients of the Native Power Builder Awards.
The recipients were as follows:
Reservation Dogs showrunner Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee Creek)
Prey producer Jhane Myers (Comanche/Blackfeet)
NDN Collective Director of Policy and Advocacy Jade Begay (Diné/Tesuque Pueblo)
U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk)
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
IllumiNative Indigenous Futures Survey: The largest research survey in Indian Country
(The following text is directly from the IllumiNative Indigenous Futures Survey webpage)
The Indigenous Futures Survey (IFS) is a multi-year Native-led research project designed to illuminate the authentic experiences, systemic challenges, and priority issues of Native peoples today. Since it began, IFS has conducted two surveys, which have seen an average participation of more than 5,600 respondents, making it the largest study created by Native peoples, for Native peoples.
The findings from these surveys have informed policymakers on key issues important to Native peoples, identified the major priorities for Indian Country in the 2022 midterm elections, and provided insight into a broad spectrum of issues, including civic engagement, identity, and culture.
Vincent Schilling, Akwesasne Mohawk, is the founder and editor of Native Viewpoint. With nearly 20 years of experience as a Native journalist and former member of the White House Press Pool, Vincent works to uplift underrepresented voices in the world of media and beyond. Follow Vincent on YouTube.com/VinceSchilling, on Twitter at @VinceSchilling or on any other of his social media accounts by clicking on any of the icons below.
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