Advocacy and alliance are welcome at any and all times, and especially welcomed from those whom center justice and equity in their work. This work comes from those who work in education, religious communities, social services, justice non-profits, politics, philanthropies and the arts, just to name a few.  

In the past months we have had the pleasure of working with Dispatch, a creative group of justice-focused musicians, who are committed to making change in a variety of contexts, in particular supporting and encouraging change in communion with  their audiences and fans across the United States.

Chad, Brad, Pete, their band members and tour staff, are focused on issues that need attention in our society. Throughout their 33-show summer tour in amphitheatres across the country, and most recently during a short four-date acoustic tour, Dispatch lifted up the work of youth organizers happening throughout Indian Country, with specific attention on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy and nonprofit Calling All Crows, Dispatch developed and supported a campaign that would bring awareness to the youth organizers and activists on the Pine Ridge, and at each concert venue an information booth was staffed with volunteers, while other volunteers engaged fans to encourage interest and action. Through this effort, many thousands of fans were introduced to and educated about some of the most important issues impacting Native Americans in these areas.  

In addition, volunteers asked for donations that were designated to support the youth and organizations on Pine Ridge through Native Americans in Philanthropy’s #GenIndigenous Response Fund.  Nearly $15,000 has been donated through Dispatch’s campaign and we are grateful.

Other musicians on tour with Dispatch, who were also of great support to the campaign, were all Native artists: Nahko and Medicine for the People; Raye Zaragoza; and Scotti Clifford & Spirits Cry.

We are grateful for the support that the Dispatch family has offer over the last months and we look forward to continued partnership.

If you would like to make donation to Dispatch’s campaign to support Native youth leaders on Pine Ridge, you can do so by clicking here.