MoA: Supporting Native American Communities

The following is a list of various North American organizations, groups, and businesses that support Native Americans and their commiunities.This list is far from comprehensive and is only meant as a starting point for individuals or groups interested in ways to strengthen Native American communities through support of impactful organizations or education on Indigenous issues past and present. If you have additions, send us an email. We would love to include as many resources as possible. 

National Organizations

Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)
For 98 years, AAIA has sought to protect Native American sovereignty, steering the US government away from its assimilation and allotment efforts and helping push important legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Native American Capital (NAC)
NAC promotes economic development in Native American communities. The organization consults tribes and businesses owners, helps secure financing for various enterprises, and aims to further advocate for Indian country in legislative and academic spheres. 

American Indian College Fund
The College Fund provides scholarships and support to American Indian students so they're able to stay in school, obtain degrees, and have the proper tools to build a satisfying career.

Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations (WEWIN)
An organization that brings Indigenous women together to exchange knowledge, support, and resources that fuel personal and professional growth. WEWIN hosts an annual conference to further its goals and allow for networking.

earthrise
A media platform that unpacks the intersection of climate change and social justice and amplifies BIPOC voices as they relate to the climate crisis. Sign up for the earthrise newsletter to stay educated and keep up with its information-packed Instagram page.

Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
The 50-year-old organization protects the rights of Native Americans. NARF holds federal and state governments to their legal obligations, consults policymakers and shapes legislation, and ensures that American Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals have fair legal representation.

Resources to Expand Your Knowledge

Native Land – Website
Plug in your address and learn about the Native history of the land you inhabit or click around on the interactive world map. You'll find territory boundaries, languages spoken in each territory, and information about treaties that affected the area.

Toasted Sister – Podcast
The Native American food show, hosted by Navajo radio producer Andi Murphy, explores Indigenous cuisine's past, present, and future. Toasted Sister is especially relevant for the Thanksgiving season, when Native traditions can be honored on the dinner table.

This Land – Podcast
Rebecca Nagle, a journalist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, hosts this podcast from Crooked Media, exploring how two crimes—an 1839 assassination of a Cherokee leader and a 1999 murder in Oklahoma—opened an investigation into the treaty rights of five tribes and led to a landmark 2020 ruling in the United States Supreme Court.

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States – Book
This Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz text reframes the nation's history from an Indigenous perspective and uncovers how colonialism and genocide built the basis of the United States.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask – Book
Anton Treuer answers a slew of questions people have about American Indians in a sometimes-humorous book that aims to replace feelings of guilt and anger between white and Indigenous people with understanding and positivity.

The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen – Cookbook
Named "Best American Cookbook" by the James Beard Foundation in 2018, The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen packs tons of fresh and healthy Indigenous recipes. Put together by chef Sean Sherman of the Oglala Lakota Nation with the help of Beth Dooley, the cookbook is a modern twist on Native American cuisine that stays true to tradition.

Urban Centers & Organizations of Indigenous Communities

Atlanta
About an hour outside of Atlanta is the Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt University, which tells the story of early Appalachian settlers and Southeastern Indians through education and exhibitions of art and artifacts. The center offers volunteer opportunities for people who would like to docent, help with administrative work, or even assist with maintaining the Lou Reeta Barton Northcutt Walking Trail and Native Garden.

Austin
Members of the Miakan/Garza Band, one of the more than 200 bands of Indigenous people that resided in Texas and northeastern Mexico when the Spanish first arrived, created the Indigenous Culture Institute. The organization works to preserve the culture of those indigenous to the region, as well as maintain the communities’ sacred sites. A great way to get virtually involved is to check out their online celebration of the Sacred Springs Powwow. On the event’s site, you can learn more about Native culture and enter a virtual raffle through November 21.

Boston
While donating to the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness can help with myriad programming and events, a big focus for the center is education. MCNAA’s website explains that American Indians attend post-secondary education at a rate of 17% in comparison to 60% among the total US population. Donations will help the center reach its 2021 goal of awarding scholarships to 10 Native American college students for books, college supplies, meals, and transportation fees.

Chicago
The Chicago area is located on the ancestral lands of various Indigenous tribes. Informed public education and awareness building is critical to the implementation of indigenous rights, and that is everyone's responsibility. We can learn how to best support the many nations through local organizations like the UNITY Midwest, American Indian Center, and Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative—each doing their unique part to foster cultural awareness, and strengthen the community through activism and volunteerism, and education.

Denver
Since 1983, The Denver Indian Center has been an urban cultural gathering center for the American Indian and Alaska Native community in the Mile High. They focus on providing programs that aim to empower families and celebrate Native culture. Volunteers can help with everything from assisting with their food bank to volunteering with elders. The Denver Indian Family Resource Center is focused on supporting American Indian and Alaska Native children and families by providing culturally responsive services. While they are not currently offering volunteer opportunities, you can support them through donations and by staying informed via their email list.

Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Indian Center provides services for those with Native American heritage. Donate or contact the organization about how you can get involved.

Los Angeles
The Long Beach-based American Indian Changing Spirits provides a culturally relevant, community-based outreach and education recovery program focused on American Indians struggling from drug and alcohol addiction and dependency.

Miami
While many of its attractions are currently closed because of COVID-19, you can still support the gift shop of the Miccosukee Indian Village showcasing the tribe's arts and culture. During normal times, you can visit the Village Museum, which gives visitors a glimpse into the way of life of the Miccosukee tribe as they adapted to the Everglades, highlighting both historical and modern Native American, First Nations, and Aboriginal life. Plus, you can watch as brave demonstrators explain centuries-old alligator rituals with their bare hands.

Nashville
Currently, American Indians do not have any state or federally recognized lands in Tennessee and to fill this void, the Native American Indian Association is asking for funding to construct a museum and community center in Nashville that will be called Circle of Life. The proposed $1.5 million site would have an area for exhibits, a research library, a community board, and administrative offices. The building and its surroundings will all radiate out from a central circle, which is an important symbol in American Indian culture.

New York City
Dating back to 1994, the Redhawk Council is a nonprofit supporting Native American artists and art educators in the NYC metro area. The organization shares Native American heritage and culture through song, dance, theater, visual art, and more art forms. Currently, they’re looking for donations to help 25 community artists who were financially affected by COVID-19 by offering each recipient a $1,000 grant. Email native@redhawkcouncil.org to support the project, or make a tax-deductible contribution online to contribute to future Redhawk programs.

Philadelphia
By making a monetary donation to Indigenous People’s Day Philly, you are contributing to the annual (and this year virtual) two-day celebration that brings Native artists to the city to tell their stories. In addition, you will be supporting future endeavors including a podcast series featuring Native dignitaries and performers and an awareness presentation series for schools, libraries, and other organizations to learn about the importance of celebrating Native American and Indigenous People’s history across Pennsylvania.

San Diego
Native Like Water, a campaign of InterTribal Youth and a program of One World BRIDGE, educates Indigenous youth and adult volunteers in science, outdoor education, conservation, wellness, and cultural self-exploration. Programs provide young Indigenous scholars with access to the best science universities and provide Indigenous communities with access to research expertise. Volunteer to be a subject matter expert, support the Ilimanator Scholarship and Nigani Scholarship, mentor summer residential students, or donate cash. 

Washington, DC
While federal funding covers 60% of what the National Museum of the American Indian needs to maintain its exhibitions, scholarship, and educational programming, the rest comes from donations. The museum’s mission is to educate the public and change the way people think about Native Americans. Current exhibitions highlight the Algonquian people of the Chesapeake Bay region and the monumental engineering achievements of the Great Inka Road in Cusco. 

Native American-Owned Businesses

Beyond Buckskin Boutique – Online
The virtual boutique blends tradition and modernity, creating an extensive inventory that goes beyond apparel to include jewelry, moccasins, and blankets, to name a few.

Tribe to Table – Online and in Montrose, California
A market with more than 60 tribe partnerships across North America. Tribe to Table sells Native foods, pet food, home goods, apparel, and pet supplies.

Orenda Tribe – Online
The artists and makers behind this vintage shop specialize in upcycling found textiles to continue their life cycle. In response to COVID-19, Orenda Tribe launched relief efforts to bring critical aid to relatives who need it.

Beam Paints – Online
Named after the founder's family, Beam Paints spreads Indigenous art traditions through its collection of naturally sourced and handmade paints. All products are non-toxic and packaging is plastic-free. Beam Paints is based outside of US borders, but it's a close neighbor that still deserves attention.

B.Yellowtail – Online
Specializing in "wearable art," the fashion brand sells clothing, accessories, jewelry, and beauty products. 

Urban Native Era – Online
A youth collective aimed at bringing Indigenous news to light through its products. The online shop includes branded clothing, posters, stickers, pins, patches, and even shoelaces.

Thunder Island Coffee Roasters – Online and in Southampton, New York
Though beans are roasted on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in New York, the roastery ships a variety of blends in 1- and 5-pound increments through its online shop.

Gathering Tribes – Online
The formerly brick-and-mortar artisan shop now operates entirely online, but its selection of handmade crafts is no slimmer than before.