On May 6th in Los Angeles, Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and 150+ allies will gather for our Invisible No More: Native Movement Building summit and celebration. This event, held at the enigmatic LA cultural outpost The Underground Museum, will bring together national and global movements to discuss youth advocacy, narrative change strategies, lessons from Standing Rock, best practices, and other major issues and innovations in Native American communities and across movements.

The issues and unique sovereign rights of Native Americans are often ignored or excluded, even in “woke” circles and spaces. The movement first sparked by Standing Rock has created a Ferguson-like moment for the Native American community. NAP has been a consistent advocate for the protection of tribal sovereignty, land and water rights, and Native youth healing, by partnering with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and My Brother’s Keeper, as well as building cross-movement advocacy efforts. NAP has also focused its work toward carrying on the Obama administration’s legacy through Generation Indigenous (#GenIndigenous), an initiative first started by Obama in 2014. #GenIndigenous continues to encourage Native American youth to continue to draw on their Indigenous cultures, experiences and worldview as tools for social change.

Grounded by a “Movement of Movements” theme, this event on May 6th will shed light on the issues that affect us all, making them #InvisibleNoMore. Critical conversations will also highlight ways in which partners can collaborate and use social capital to support community-led solutions. Panels and breakout sessions will cover movement-building partnerships, youth advocacy, healing, mass incarceration, and more. This event will highlight our #GenIndigenous Regional Convenings amplifying work of nonprofits serving Native youth (fall convenings scheduled for Southern California and Southwest regions) and will also support NAP’s #GenIndigenous Response Fund which provides grants to youth organizing groups responding to the current moment in ways that build long-term power for Native youth.

So far, the #GenIndigenous Response Fund has awarded $50,000 to ten organizations playing leadership roles in current movements and supporting the long-term engagement of Native American youth leaders in advocacy efforts. All donations made to the #GenIndigenous Response Fund from May 1-14 will form the first ever #GenIndigenous Virtual Giving Circle.

NAP believes there is no greater time for allies to add their voices to the movement than now, and is proud to join forces with Dr. Bob Ross of The California Endowment, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Twila True, America Ferrera, Max and Vicki Kennedy, Ty Stiklorius, Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Holly Cook Macarro to honor the spirituality, resiliency, voices, and priorities of Native Americans, especially in such a challenging socio political environment.

Event is invite-only. Please email us at [email protected] for more information or questions regarding registration.

AGENDA
9:30-10:00 a.m – Summit Opening
Featuring an opening blessing by a Tongva Elder and the Tataviam Tribe of the northern Los Angeles County; a welcome by Edgar Villanueva, Vice Chair of NAP; and opening remarks from NAP CEO Sarah Eagle Heart.

10:00-11:30 a.m. – Building Bridges & Dismantling Pipelines: Wisdom from Our Youth
This youth panel moderated by Dr. Bob Ross of The California Endowment will be around unifying movements towards well-being, healing, and resiliency.

11:30-12:30 p.m. – Storytelling Breakout Sessions
Hear about practical ways that you can support work happening on the ground and other calls to action in the breakout sessions including:

Natives Against the Wall: Tohono O’odham
Inside California Missions and Indian Boarding Schools
Standing Rock is Everywhere: Los Angeles Indigenous Movement Building
Indigenous Women Rise
Education is the Answer for Social Change

1:30-3:00 p.m. – Representation, Innovation & Social Impact: Lessons From the Field
Hear personal lessons from Native American leaders working in various fields on the importance of having Native representation across all sectors. Moderated by Chrissie Castro, Native Voice Network and featuring Twila True, True Family Enterprises/True Sioux Hope Foundation; Heather Rae, Film Producer, Director, and Actress; Kevin Killer, State Senator, South Dakota

3:15-4:45 p.m. – When Will We All Know Freedom? Indian Boarding Schools & Mass Incarceration
Sarah Eagle Heart, NAP; Ty Stiklorius, Friends at Work; Deborah Parker, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center; and Morning Star Gali, Restoring Justice for Indigenous People discuss the structural challenges and systemic discrimination Native American communities face.

5:00-7:00 p.m. – NAP Celebration
Stay for an evening celebration with Native Americans in Philanthropy and a blessing by Indigenous Community Aztec Dancers. Tazbah Rose will perform a spoken word piece and participate in the virtual reality experience “Rainbow Crow” by Baobab Studios as we close out the day and reflect on ways to empower Native American communities, making them “Invisible No More”. More to be announced!

Invisible No More:
Native Movement Building Summit & Celebration

May 6, 2017
Los Angeles, CA