The Native Organizers Alliance (NOA) Organizing Fellowship provides an opportunity to train and mentor community leaders and organizers in developing spiritual, political, and social power to strengthen community building and influence policy change on behalf of Native and Tribal communities. The Fellowship is designed to build leadership and organizing skills, generating Native grassroots political power to drive social change that supports a way of life our ancestors prayed for and our descendants deserve.
The NOA Organizing Fellowship Program offers tribes and community organizations the opportunity to expand the circle of leaders and organizers who engage grassroots community members in developing policies and governance that reflect the impact of self-governance in the 21st century. The candidates for participation are nominated by their community groups and have knowledge and experience in Indian Country.
Tribes, Native organizations, and community groups are invited to nominate a participant from their community for a 12-week program of leadership and organizing training grounded in Indigenous values. This program will provide participants with the experience of day-to-day initiatives in their communities, as well as opportunities to engage their communities in national campaigns and issue-based work.
Our vision is to cultivate an ecosystem of grassroots leaders and organizers who prioritize community engagement to protect our lands, waters, health, wellbeing, and ways of life. The participants should be grounded in their community, whether tribal or urban, and engaged with the sponsoring tribe or community group, with an understanding of the realities of Indian Country today.
The launch of the twelve-week Organizing Fellowship Program includes a weeklong national in-person organizing training retreat with NOA staff. The goal of the retreat is to review and practice using participatory training techniques to build a strong grassroots organizing foundation through understanding our collective history of Native grassroots movements and exploring how power is constructed and shifted in local and national actions. We will explore how we navigate the changing political landscape and ensure our sovereign rights, our cultural continuity, and the health and well-being of our communities.
After the initial organizer training, we meet with participants to develop a plan for the work they will do with their sponsoring organization or tribal entity over the next 12 weeks. The plan will include clear goals and benchmarks, as well as the possibility of collaborating with other communities for advocacy in response to sudden shifts in federal policies.
The work plan is designed to build on the existing work within the community. We will meet with each participant once a month, 1:1. They will also join sessions with their fellow cohort members to share their experiences and learn from guest speakers.
After the 12-week program is completed, we will host a virtual celebration event where Fellows will share brief presentations about their work. Your tribal entity or organization will be invited. We hope to stay in relationship with you and the Fellow for future training, campaigns, and events.
Who we are looking for:
- Organizers and leaders who share our Indigenous value of being good relatives and organizing their community for people-powered change.
- An understanding of their home communities and a sense of accountability to their community: urban and tribal.
- The desire to work with, inspire, and develop a circle of volunteers, as well as grow and sustain relationships with others in their community, as well as non-Native allies.
- Strong time management and planning skills, demonstrating the ability to take initiative and drive projects forward independently.
- An ability to work well under pressure and work collaboratively with the sponsoring organization or tribe.
Hours and Compensation:
After the initial training session is completed, Fellows will be compensated at $20 per hour for 20 hours of work per week with the sponsoring tribe or organization. The host organization tracks the hours. During the 1:1 check-in, the NOA staff will follow up on challenges and accomplishments as they work in the community.
Fellows are expected to attend a bi-weekly 1:1 check-in with NOA staff and a monthly full cohort check-in. The payment terms will be specified in the MOU completed between NOA and the host organization or tribal entity.
For additional details and information, please contact us at fellows[@]nativeorganizing.org.
Primary Responsibilities and Skills:
The Fellows’ responsibilities and skills are primarily shaped by the work they undertake within their own community. The Fellow and the sponsoring organization or tribal entity will develop a project brief or plan outlining what they will accomplish within their community during the 12-week fellowship period. The Fellows Director will work with the Fellow on creating SMART goals, deliverables, and outcomes in partnership with their host organization.
