Shea Vassar

Our Commitment to the Next Generation

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Native youth are a vital part of grassroots organizing. That’s why this summer, we participated in different opportunities that gave some from the younger generation the opportunity to learn about the tools necessary to engage and organize in their communities.

National UNITY Conference in San Diego

We brought 20 Native youth from 9 Tribal Nations and villages across 9 states to this year’s National UNITY Conference in San Diego! This cohort had a wonderful time being around other Native youth leaders while also participating in the workshops (including the one we facilitated!)

Here are a few testimonials from those in attendance:

Maia (Arizona) YOUTH PARTICIPANT

“My favorite part of attending UNITY was seeing how small and powerful Indian Country is. I found new relatives in each workshop and saw that we all share similar goals for our communities. One thing I learned about myself at UNITY was discovering a deeper perspective on advocacy — balancing when to step forward and how to do it well. Since coming home, my favorite tools to use have been creating more spaces for youth to speak up and be heard.”

 

Neezhoni (Alaska) YOUTH PARTICIPANT

“The time I spent with NOA was nothing short of amazing. To have people who want to hear and listen to your voice and what you have to say is so crucial as an Alaska Native youth. Being with other Native youth from all over was such a feeling of accomplishment. I’ve always wanted to see Native youth gathered to learn, to listen, and to speak without fear of being unheard. Learning about other cultures was amazing, and sharing mine was too.

After my time at UNITY with NOA, I went back to my little village in Alaska and shared what I had learned. I learned to be brave, to remember that sometimes you might be the only person in the room representing your people, to be more understanding, to remember that there will always be people out there rooting for you. Connecting with other people as a Native person is fundamental in the way we move forward, and it’s important to share your knowledge with others. Thank you to NOA for rooting for me!!!”

 

Star (Oklahoma) NOA STAFF

“NOA took a group of 16 youth from our key states, ages 14–21, to San Diego for UNITY 2025 “Voices of Hope.” For the diverse group we hosted, some had only ever experienced Indigenous peoples from their own community or had limited access to other Native peoples in general. All of them were amazed by the opportunity to connect with Native youth from all over, as well as to step up to the table and truly be part of discussions about Indian Country.

NOA also facilitated a session of our own called “Buffalos in the Storm,” where we discussed effective/ineffective and violent/nonviolent tactics and forms of protest in the current political climate, and how best we as a community navigate the political storm ahead.”

 

Wolf (Michigan) NOA STAFF

“I learned a lot at UNITY, but my favorite part had to be the Northern Tribes Games breakout room. It was so cool, and I had a lot of fun there. I also learned that when I’m invested, I can really put myself out there and grow a lot. I also learned how I can start my own youth council so I can use what I learned to help others or build something new in my community.”

Protect the Sacred Youth Summit 2025

We were invited by our friends at Protect the Sacred to lead a training during their annual Youth Summit. NOA is honored to lead workshops with young organizers and establish that initial introduction to Indigenous grassroots strategies.

This year we gathered Shiprock, New Mexico, at the brand-new Shiprock E-Ship Hub. The summit was led by Change Labs.

 

Shea Vassar

NOA’s Recent Trip to Wind River

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The Native Organizers Alliance Training Team recently traveled to Wind River Indian Reservation to conduct a pre-training visit in preparation for the upcoming May training session in partnership with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. This visit is an integral part of our protocol, aimed at engaging with the community to better understand local issues and how we can tailor our training to meet the specific needs of the community.

 

Judith Le Blanc (Caddo) and Lonnie Provost (Dakota) have worked with Wes Martel at the Greater Yellowstone Coalition for numerous years on issues around water and land protections,  Tribal sovereignty, and allowing Native voices to have a say in National Parks such as Yellowstone National Park.

 

Last November, Wes reached out to NOA. He updated the team about the Pilot Butte Conveyance Act that was being introduced by Wyoming Senator John Barrasso. The community formed a coalition to address the issue and organized meetings and protests at Senator Barrasso’s office.

 

The visit yielded valuable insights into the dynamics of the unique ecosystem, culture and protocols of the Wind River community. Feedback from local community members highlighted the importance of incorporating treaties, sovereignty, Tribal governance, advocacy and organizing tools into our training.

The team also learned about the significance of buffalo in Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe culture, emphasizing the need for a respectful and informed approach to conservation that honors traditional practices. This aligns with our commitment to ecological efforts but also acknowledges the cultural identity of the community.

 

These upcoming trainings, starting with the first later this month, will be a series of trainings that Native Organizers Alliance will hold in partnership with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the community on Wind River Indian Reservation to further support the community’s efforts to organize.

 

This pre-training site visit was a crucial step in building trust and understanding with the Wind River community. Moving forward, it is essential that we integrate the feedback and perspectives gathered during this visit into the training. By doing so, we can ensure that our initiatives not only support ecological objectives but also empower indigenous voices and enhance cultural resilience.

Jennifer Fairbanks

NOA Celebrates the Decision to Pause the Magellan Pipeline

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Jennifer Fairbanks

NOA Statement: Indian Country Eyes First Debate for Candidates’ Positions on Tribal Issues

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Jennifer Fairbanks

President Biden: Preserve sacred land, designate the Kw’tsán National Monument now

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Advocating for setting aside more than 390,000 acres currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe hopes to create legal protections that, along with responsible federal stewardship practices, will preserve the land and wildlife forever.

As original stewards of these sacred landscapes, the Tribe’s “culture is rooted in the air and the soil,” explains Donald Medart Jr., Quechan Tribal Councilman. He says: “These are the places we will continue to take our children and grandchildren to learn about who we are as a people — these are places that do not recognize boundaries on a map and are connected by history and our stories.”

Climate change has led to extreme drought, and the unsustainable extraction of water from the Colorado River has combined to upend and destabilize the ecosystem. Meanwhile, the land is threatened every day by mining exploration, stolen natural resources, and harmful development.

The water flowing through the Haquita, also known as the Colorado River, is crucial for the health of the region’s complex overlapping ecosystems, which the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe has managed sustainably for generations. Indigenous traditions can rectify the federal government’s past land and water management practices that have harmed these sacred landscapes.

The proposed Kw’tsán National Monument connects Spirit Mountain, Palo Verde Peak, the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, and Buzzards Peak, incorporating the Indian Pass Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The Bureau of Land Management has already identified these areas as “public land that requires special management to protect important resources or unique landscapes, or to protect people and property from hazards.”

The value of caring for ancestral homelands runs deep in Quechan culture and philosophy. As they explain, “Our ancestors gifted us the role as caretakers of Mother Earth, and the responsibility to protect all living beings of the natural world.”

The mountains in the region include Avikwalal (Pilot Knob), Avi Kwa Ame (Spirit Mountain) and Avi Kwa Suen (Cargo Muchachos). Among the area’s sacred artifacts and cultural history are the Singer Geoglyphs, ancient symbols etched directly into the ground.

When the land is properly managed, many endangered species thrive in this region. From roadrunners, tortoises, and quail to jackrabbits, foxes, snakes, and coyotes, Native peoples share this space with many non-human relatives.

The diversity of flowers and plants is another living example of a thriving community that must be treated with respect. From the agave, saguaro, and mesquite to milkweed, sunflower, Devil’s Claw, and Foxtail Cactus, as the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe says, “We are connected to the air, land, plants, insects, and four-leggeds that share our home.”

All public lands are on Indigenous homelands. As the original stewards and guardians of their homelands, the Quechan People have been asking the Biden administration to act to ensure they can continue protecting their rich heritage.

It’s time for President Biden to use the authority granted by the Antiquities Act to designate Kw’tsán National Monument.

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