Native Movement

Native Movement wants to make sure Alaska Native communities understand how much is at stake in the upcoming state and local elections. We want to encourage folks to bring their communities out to vote our values.

We are looking for engaged and dedicated community members or organizations interested in partnering with us to host an event in their home region to talk about why local elections are important. We have funds set aside to help pay for and support this community event. This event could be at any time before the election that is best for your community, we don't want this to get in the way of opportunities for subsistence.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity to engage your community during voting season please reach out to any of the Native Movement team members below:

✅ Trinity Villalobos: [email protected]
✅ Lauryn Baldwin: [email protected]
✅ Dorothy Shockley: mailto:[email protected]

Today, our Environmental & Climate Justice team hand delivered petition signatures to Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office in Anchorage, demanding that he listen Alaska Native voices and remove the Ambler road rider from the National Defense Authorization Act. Learn more and take action here : https://www.tananachiefs.org/noamblerroad/

🔁 REPOST 🔁 Sugarcane Film Screening at AAnchorage MuseumTomorrow 8/28 7:00 p.m., with Q+A to follow. Visit AAnchorage MuseumWebsite to Register: https://loom.ly/fN73-gE
In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning.
Please join us for a free community screening of the documentary Sugarcane Film at the Anchorage Museum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, in the Auditorium; a Q&A session with directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie follows. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for a reception in the atrium. Visit our website to register: https://loom.ly/fN73-gE

‼️Anchorage Police Need Oversight, Not Another Advisory Committee‼️

Violence perpetrated by Alaska public safety officers is at a crisis level. In the past 3 months alone, Anchorage Police officers have shot and killed 4 people.

We are grateful that Mayor Suzanne LaFrance recently released a statement outlining measures she is taking to ensure accountability. However, her call for a “community advisory committee” does not go far enough, our communities need civilian oversight of the police.

Native Movement is a member of the Alaska Coalition for Justice (ACJ), a statewide group that has been working to transform public safety since June 2020. ACJ supports the formation of local civilian-police oversight boards as an important step for increasing community safety.

The shooting of multiple community members by APD has shocked the state and illuminates past traumas from still unresolved police violence. Indigenous, Black, and brown communities throughout the state have suffered at the hands of law enforcement without any accountability, this must stop.

Head to the link below to Send Mayor LaFrance and the Anchorage Assembly a letter to let them know that we need civilian oversight of police, not another advisory committee!

https://secure.everyaction.com/2-Fvn4uNnkenSuq_j0jk8w2

Native Movement is heartbroken at the loss of Easter Leafa, the 16 year old girl who was shot and killed by police last Tuesday, August 13th in Anchorage. Our prayers are with the entire Samoan community and all those who knew young Easter. We support Easter’s family in their call for Anchorage Police Department to release unedited body-worn camera footage immediately.
“No daughter of our community deserves this response from law enforcement. Our hearts go out to Easter’s family; and we are outraged at the injustice created by those tasked with community safety,”— Enei Begaye, Native Movement Executive Director.
We encourage people to make donations to support the family in this difficult time. gofund.me/783d13f6

🔁 REPOST 🔁 from MMIWG2s Alaska
📣Help us celebrate our successful 2024 5K Run for Healing, Run for Justice Event!
On August 10, 2024, the MMIWG2S Alaska Working Group held its annual 5K Run for Healing, Run for Justice event, drawing nearly 400 participants in a profound demonstration of community solidarity and support. This event created a sacred space for healing and advocacy, and reflecting on the collective efforts of Indigenous organizations in Alaska who are taking actions to end the MMIP crisis and create healing opportunities for our communities and families.

Acknowledgement and Appreciation:
The MMIWG2S Alaska Working Group extends a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors and supporters who made the event possible.
Welcome Native Spirit
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Goldbelt
Afognak
Skinny Raven

Their support played a crucial role in the event's success and underscored their dedication to addressing the MMIP crisis. A special mention goes to Aka's Food Truck for providing delicious treats and to the Mobilization Center's Rural & Indigenous Outreach Team for their invaluable presence. A special thank you and so much gratitude to our very loved elder Liz Sonnyboy for giving our blessing and thank you so each and everyone of our volunteers!

To read more, click here: https://mmiwg2salaska.org/working-group-community-actions ❤

🔁 REPOST 🔁 FROM UAF College of Indigenous Studies
We are excited to share about the new course offerings from the ANLC! Upper Tanana and Lower Tanana will be offered this fall semester, with instructor Bruce Ervin and David Engles.

Read the full press release:
https://www.uaf.edu/news/anlc-to-offer-new-courses.php

The center will offer Lower Tanana-Benhti Dene/Athabascan, which has not been taught at UAF in more than 20 years. Instructor David Engles of Minto learned the language from his elders and remembers speaking and listening to it daily as a child.

The second language, Upper Tanana Dene/Athabascan, will be offered via two courses this fall. The language was offered for the first time in 20 years with an introductory course in the spring 2024 semester. A new fall course will add the next level of language instruction and is designed for students who complete the introductory course. Bruce Ervin, assistant professor of language and culture, will teach the class. Ervin is originally from Northway, where he learned the language from his elders.

✨Alaska Climate Alliance Is Hiring - Alaska Climate Alliance Coordinator ✨
We are looking for a committed and passionate coordinator to contract with the Alaska Climate Alliance and help guide coalition work, including strategic planning, member engagement and growth, facilitation of our member gathering space, as well as helping to support the activities of our two leadership bodies - the Indigenous Navigation Council and the Coordinating Team. The ideal candidate must be highly organized and effective at working in group settings. Preferably the candidate will have proven experience in community organizing, coalition building, and project management. This position will work closely with a supportive, passionate, and dynamic team of both staff and volunteer members from all of the ACA partner organizations. This is a contract position with the potential to grow into a permanent position.
Head to http://akclimatealliance.org/hiring/ to apply today!


Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition The Alaska Center Native Peoples Action Southeast Alaska Conservation Council

Reminder for this weekend! MMIWG2s Alaska 5K Run for Healing Run For Justice happening this Saturday, August 10th! We Hope to see you there!
Still need to register?: https://mmiwg2salaska.org/current-events-1

📣Are you joining the 5K Run for Healing, Run for Justice event!

This is a friendly reminder that the race will start at 11 AM sharp, please be sure to get there early to ensure you have registration out of the way!

The first 100 people to register will receive a FREE bandana!

Please find more information here: https://mmiwg2salaska.org/current-events-1

💻 NEW BLOG POST ALERT: 2024 Legislative Session Re-Cap from Our Policy Justice Legislative Fellow ✍️
Learn about what we’ve accomplished during the 2024 Legislative Session by checking out our latest blog post! Visit the link below to read the recap by Lauryn Baldwin, our Native Movement Policy Justice Legislative Fellow.
A successful legislative session benefits Alaskan communities by advancing progressive bills and blocking harmful ones. Engaging in local elections is crucial for electing effective leaders who will work towards building healthy, strong, and equitable communities. With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, remember that your involvement in local elections is just as important for making a meaningful impact.

READ BLOG POST HERE: https://www.nativemovement.org/nm-blog/2024/7/31/2024-legislative-session-re-cap-from-our-policy-justice-legislative-fellow

🔥Call for Artist: Shining a Light on Alaska’s Diverse Communities!🔥

We are thrilled to invite you to participate in a meaningful project celebrating Alaska's diverse cultural heritage and promoting civic engagement. We want to commission artwork from artists across Alaska in two categories: youth/young adults (25 years and younger) and adults (26 years and older).

💙 We will select two artists from each region, one from each age category, and pay each artist $1,000.00.
💙 Artists who are selected will be asked to create unique artwork that creatively represents what a multicultural and multiracial democracy looks like in Alaska.

Why Participate?
With voter turnout declining in many communities over recent decades, this project is an excellent opportunity to inspire and mobilize community participation through your art.

How to Apply:
1️⃣ If you are interested, please complete the application here: https://www.rioalaska.org/current-events
2️⃣ You will need to submit 3-5 examples of previous work
3️⃣ A brief Artist Bio
4️⃣ Description of your proposed artwork

We look forward to your creative contributions and working together to inspire voter engagement across Alaska.

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Thornton ([email protected]) or Autumn Cantu ([email protected])

This week we’ve been at Gwich’in Gathering in Danzhit Hanlaii Gwich’in territory—celebrating Gwich’in strength, love, & joy. Gwich’in Gathering has been taking place every two years since 1988; it is a time when Gwich’in peoples from all their territories come together (from what is now known as Alaska & Canada).

This has been a powerful and heart filling week listening to Elders, Tribal and First Nations leadership, Youth, language teachers, and allies. A week full of remembering, laughing, dancing, and good healing.

The first gathering in 1988 established the resolution to protect the Porcupine Caribou herd and thereby the coastal plain of what is known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This week we honored the work of the Gwich'in Steering Committee and their leadership over the many years. ❤️❤️

We are proud to be a sponsor of this year’s gathering. Check out some of the great photos captured by Deenaadàį’ Productions, Kimberly Carlo, Keri Oberly, & others (please help us tag the photos).
Gwich’in Gathering 2024 Circle, Alaska

Today is the last day to register for the 2024 Northern Organizer Summit! Register here: ✨⛰️ REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/3xll7GN
On September 5-7, Native Movement will offer a 2.5 day organizer learning space for folks interested in deepening relationships and skills to build collective power. We will spend time deepening into our theme of Ceremony as Resistance ✊ and explore how ceremony has built collective power and shaped Indigenous communities. Learn from Elders in an intentionally intergenerational space as we formulate collective understandings of organizing skills and ways of building people power; all with the intention of sharing skills to empower each other, our communities, and lead us to collective liberation.

✨Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2024 Northern Organizer Summit ⛰️ REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/3xll7GN
On September 5-7, Native Movement will offer a 2.5 day organizer learning space for folks interested in deepening relationships and skills to build collective power. We will spend time deepening into our theme of Ceremony as Resistance ✊ and explore how ceremony has built collective power and shaped Indigenous communities. Learn from Elders in an intentionally intergenerational space as we formulate collective understandings of organizing skills and ways of building people power; all with the intention of sharing skills to empower each other, our communities, and lead us to collective liberation.
Registration closes on July 16th. Please share with your communities.

Come join us at the MMIWG2S Alaska 5K Run for Healing, Run for Justice Event!

This event is dedicated to honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womxn, Girls, and Relatives. The 5K event is meant to raise awareness and provide a healthy healing activity for our community.

When: Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 11 - 3 PM
Where: Goose Lake, 2811 UAA Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508

❤️ To learn more about the event and to register to participate, head to the link in our bio or https://mmiwg2salaska.org/current-events-1



❤️ This event is co-hosted by MMIWG2S Alaska Working Group Partners: Alaska Native Women's Resource Center, Alaska Native Justice Center, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Data for Indigenous Justice, and Native Movement.

🚨 Now hiring 🚨(TEMP) Rural & Indigenous Outreach (RIO) Specialist. Temp Dates of Work: July 29 - November 30, 2024
Remote Position & Occasional Funded Travel (Must currently reside in Alaska). Part Time or Full Time (Flexible schedule).. Work hours will be between 10 AM and 7 PM, Monday - Friday, and are subject to change.
Salary: $26.50 an hour
RIO Specialists will work with the RIO Program Director to interact with Alaskans on key conservation, human rights, and government and democracy issues facing Alaskans and maintain relationships with action-takers to sustain support. Conversations will take place over the phone, and they can be made from the comfort of your own home, with occasional travel.
➡️Conversations will take place over the phone and they can be made from the comfort of your own home, with occasional travel.
➡️In-Person voter education tabling and outreach opportunities!
➡️Our goal is to identify and activate Alaskan voters on various campaigns that protect the resources that sustain our cultures and way of life and maintain the health and wellbeing of the greater community. This is an entry-level position that provides career-building opportunities in the larger progressive movement.
➡️To apply please email a cover letter and resume to Autumn Cantu, RIO Director, at [email protected]

Head to http://www.rioalaska.org/employment for more and information and job description

🏳️‍🌈The month of June was full of celebrations of Pride and we want to say thank you to everyone who helped make it possible! 🏳️‍🌈
We shared creativity through Open Mics, Drag Story Hour, and craft gatherings. We also held important conversations through the Decolonizing Gender workshops with the Community Education team and asked the hard questions. Thank you to our attendees and community that made these events far-reaching and successful.
We also recognize that every month, every day, every second is worthy of celebrating Pride, not just the month of June.
We’re committed to continuing to build and nurture our gender-expansive and intersectional community. We also recognize that the first Pride celebration was a riot led by Black and Brown trans women. It is only through accountable and intersectional resistance that we’ll reach true liberation. Pride is political and is not limited to capitalism-based events that lean into pinkwashing by corporations. Q***r liberation is intersectional with BIPOC liberation, environmental/climate justice, and all other intersections of oppression. Happy Pride, always and forever.

In a win for Alaska Native communities, the Bureau of Land Management has chosen to maintain protections against mining, oil, and gas development on 28 million acres of land across Alaska!
These areas, known as D1 lands, are scattered across the state, on lands owned by Ahtna, Gwich’in, Koyukun, Inupiaq, Dena’ina, and Tlingit peoples, but due to ANCSA, the Department of the Interior still maintains the right to decide whether or not to allow oil, gas, and mining development.
When, in 2023, the BLM sought input on whether or not to remove these protections, Indigenous activists across Alaska stood up to lead the fight to protect the land.
In their final analysis, the BLM agreed with those who know their land best, and found that revoking protections would harm hunting, fishing and other subsistence activities in up to 117 Alaska Native communities.
Share this post to thank all the inspiring Indigenous activists who have led this fight and whose land will now continue to be protected.

🚨 Now hiring 🚨
(TEMP) Rural & Indigenous Outreach (RIO) Specialist

Temp Dates of Work: July 29 - November 30, 2024
Location: Remote Position & Occasional Funded Travel (Must currently reside in Alaska)
Schedule: Part Time or Full Time (Flexible schedule)
Salary: $26.50 an hour

Work hours will be between 10 AM and 7 PM, Monday - Friday, and are subject to change.

RIO Specialists will work with the RIO Program Director to interact with Alaskans on key conservation, human rights, and government and democracy issues facing Alaskans and maintain relationships with action-takers to sustain support. Conversations will take place over the phone, and they can be made from the comfort of your own home, with occasional travel.

➡️Conversations will take place over the phone and they can be made from the comfort of your own home, with occasional travel.

➡️In-Person voter education tabling and outreach opportunities!

➡️Our goal is to identify and activate Alaskan voters on various campaigns that protect the resources that sustain our cultures and way of life and maintain the health and wellbeing of the greater community. This is an entry-level position that provides career-building opportunities in the larger progressive movement.

➡️To apply please email a cover letter and resume to Autumn Cantu, RIO Director, at [email protected]

Job description located here:
https://www.rioalaska.org/employment

🚨 Now hiring 🚨
(TEMP) Rural & Indigenous Outreach (RIO) Specialist

Temp Dates of Work: July 29 - November 30, 2024

Location: Remote Position & Occasional Funded Travel (Must currently reside in Alaska)

Schedule: Part Time or Full Time (Flexible schedule)

Salary: $26.50 an hour
Work hours will be between 10 AM and 7 PM, Monday - Friday, and are subject to change.

RIO Specialists will work with the RIO Program Director to interact with Alaskans on key conservation, human rights, and government and democracy issues facing Alaskans and maintain relationships with action-takers to sustain support. Conversations will take place over the phone, and they can be made from the comfort of your own home, with occasional travel.

➡️Conversations will take place over the phone and they can be made from the comfort of your own home, with occasional travel.

➡️In-Person voter education tabling and outreach opportunities!

➡️Our goal is to identify and activate Alaskan voters on various campaigns that protect the resources that sustain our cultures and way of life and maintain the health and wellbeing of the greater community. This is an entry-level position that provides career-building opportunities in the larger progressive movement.

➡️To apply please email a cover letter and resume to Autumn Cantu, RIO Director, at [email protected]

Job description located here:
https://www.rioalaska.org/employment

JOIN OUR TEAM 🌟 We are currently hiring for THREE positions:
✍️ Content Writer & Narrative Lead
🌟 Deputy Director
🧺 Movement Infrastructure Basket Director

Native Movement is dedicated to building people power, rooted in an Indigenized worldview, toward healthy, sustainable, & just communities for ALL. We support grassroots-led projects that align with our vision, that endeavor to ensure social justice, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and the rights of Mother Earth.

Please share within your communities. Head to https://nativemovement.recruitee.com/ and apply TODAY!

☀️ VENUE CHANGE for tonights celebration: David Salmon Tribal Hall! Please share widely! ☀️
Join Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), Native Movement, Northern Alaska Environmental Center and National Parks Conversation Association in Fairbanks on July 1st at 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., to celebrate the on going work to stop the Ambler Road! ✊
Come Enjoy Indian Tacos, traditional Independence Day games, including a pie eating contest, gunnysack races and more. Bring a shirt or tote! We will have live screen printing with a design by and live music from and Marc Brown & the Blues Crew. Event location will be at David Salmon Tribal Hall (111 Clay St, Fairbanks, AK 99701)
Even as we celebrate our successes, we know Dan Sullivan and those in the mining industry continue to try and push the road through. This event will also include ways to take action and continue our vigilance to stop the Ambler Road!
This celebration is free and open to any and all who share the vision for a future without the Ambler road!

‼️The Bureau of Land Management released their final recommendation: the Ambler road should NOT be built.‼️
Decades of resistance by Indigenous communities from both Interior and Coastal Alaska made this possible. We are grateful to the leadership of 89 Tribes who passed resolutions against the road, and to those who stood in solidarity with Indigenous leaders.
Join us in Fairbanks at the Ambler Progress Celebration on July 1st to celebrate! There will be food, games, live music Quinn Christopherson and Marc Brown & the Blues Crew, and a shirt-printing activity at Griffin Park near the Antler Archway. This event is FREE!

Sen. Dan Sullivan and the mining industry may still try to push the road through, but we will remain vigilant. Let's continue to take action and celebrate this joyous moment. A future without the Ambler Road is possible!

See you tonight at Drag Story Hour at The Nave Spenard stating at 6:00 p.m.
Join Native Movement for our 5th Annual Drag Story Hour! Thursday, June 27th starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Nave, Anchorage, AK
This free, family friendly event features local drag sensations Penny Dragful,
Layla D'Lovely and Dela Rosa as they perform songs and read stories for the whole family to enjoy! Hosted by Golden Delicious. 🌟✨
Free book giveaway and refreshments will be provided!

✨UPDATED FLYER ✨ SAVE THE DATE! 📚🌈 Join Native Movement for our 5th Annual Drag Story Hour! Thursday, June 27th starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Nave, Anchorage, AK
This free, family friendly event features local drag sensations Penny Dragful,
Layla D'Lovely and Dela Rosa as they perform songs and read stories for the whole family to enjoy! Hosted by Golden Delicious. 🌟✨
Free book giveaway and refreshments will be provided!

SEE YOU ON THURSDAY! 📚🌈 Join Native Movement for our 5th Annual Drag Story Hour! Thursday, June 27th starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Nave, Anchorage, AK
This free, family friendly event features local drag sensations Penny Dragful,
Layla D'Lovely and Dela Rosa as they perform songs and read stories for the whole family to enjoy! Hosted by Golden Delicious. 🌟✨
Free book giveaway and refreshments will be provided!

✨UPDATED FLYER ✨ SAVE THE DATE! 📚🌈 Join Native Movement for our 5th Annual Drag Story Hour! Thursday, June 27th starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Nave, Anchorage, AK
This free, family friendly event features local drag sensations Penny Dragful,
Layla D'Lovely and Dela Rosa as they perform songs and read stories for the whole family to enjoy! Hosted by Golden Delicious. 🌟✨
Free book giveaway and refreshments will be provided!

✨Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2024 Northern Organizer Summit ⛰️ REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/3xll7GN
On September 5-7, Native Movement will offer a 2.5 day organizer learning space for folks interested in deepening relationships and skills to build collective power. We will spend time deepening into our theme of Ceremony as Resistance ✊ and explore how ceremony has built collective power and shaped Indigenous communities. Learn from Elders in an intentionally intergenerational space as we formulate collective understandings of organizing skills and ways of building people power; all with the intention of sharing skills to empower each other, our communities, and lead us to collective liberation.
Registration closes on July 16th. Please share with your communities.