Political Organizations and Advocacy Groups

Cultural Survival

Cultural Survival is an Indigenous-led NGO and U.S. registered non-profit that advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience, since 1972. For almost 50 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultures worldwide. They envision a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance. The core of their efforts rest on the principles of supporting, amplifying efforts and raising awareness of self-determination for Indigenous communities.

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/

Hawaiʻi Peopleʻs Fund

Hawaiʻi Peopleʻs Fund has helped to support, build capacity, and amplify the impact of grassroots social change movements in Hawaiʻi since 1972. No other organization specifically addresses the needs of grassroots progressive movement building in Hawaiʻi. As the only intermediary organization in Hawaiʻi working with this constituency from a social justice perspective, they strive to model progressive social change and remain a strong and enduring movement in the islands. Hawai‘i People’s Fund supports passionate, grassroots community groups working for social justice in Hawai‘i that are often considered too small, too new, or too controversial by traditional funding organizations. They are dedicated to the most creative, passionate, and radical visions of community, and bravely navigate the intersections of indigeneity, environment, race, class, labor, gender, art, technology, mental health, incarceration, food, and other crucial issues.

https://www.hawaiipeoplesfund.org/

Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is a not-for-profit organization that advocates for improved welfare of Native Hawaiians in culture, health, economic development, education, social welfare, and nationhood, and perpetuates and preserves language, history, music, dance and other Native Hawaiian cultural traditions.

https://aohcc.org/

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

OHA is a semi-autonomous state agency responsible for improving the wellbeing of all Native Hawaiians (regardless of blood quantum) through advocacy, research, community engagement, land management and the funding of community programs. The need for an office dedicated to the well-being of all Hawaiians was born at the Hawaiian Constitutional Convention of 1978 to right past wrongs suffered by Native Hawaiians for over 100 years. It became an agency that would use income from land taken from the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom to benefit Hawaiians. The OHA headquarters are located in Iwilei, Oʻahu. OHA Community Resource Centers are also located on Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and East Hawaiʻi (Hilo) and West Hawaiʻi (Kona).

https://www.oha.org/

National Congress of American Indians

NCAI is organized as a representative congress of American Indians and Alaska Natives that serves to develop consensus on national priority issues that impact tribal sovereignty.

http://www.ncai.org/

 American Indian Policy Center

The Center’s mission is to provide government leaders, policy makers and the general public with information about the legal and political history of American Indian nations, and contemporary topics that impact the Native American community.

http://aipi.asu.edu/

Association of American Indian Affairs

AAIA is a national Indian organization with offices in Maryland and Rhode Island. Over the years AAIA has played an integral part in drafting a number of important laws, including the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and the Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act. They have established organizations like the Medicine Wheel Coalition for the Protection of Sacred Sites and negotiated landmark agreements to protect sacred lands such as the Bighorn Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain in Wyoming.

https://www.indian-affairs.org/

American Indian Higher Education Consortium

AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging Tribal Colleges and Universities.

http://www.aihec.org/

National Indian Child Care Association

This association works to provide child care support and tribal funding.

http://www.nicca.us/

Native American Disability Law Center

The Native American Disability Law Center is a private nonprofit organization that advocates for the legal rights of Native Americans with disabilities. Through advocacy and education, they empower Native people with disabilities to lead independent lives in their own communities.

https://www.nativedisabilitylaw.org/

 National Native American Bar Association

NNABA shares many of the same goals of diversity and increased understanding of unique cultural and legal issues with minority bar associations. Member attorneys and judges help to protect the sovereignty of Native American tribal governments.

http://www.nativeamericanbar.org/

National Native American Law Enforcement Association

The mission of the NNALEA is to promote and foster mutual cooperation between American Indian Law Enforcement Officers/Agents/Personnel, their agencies, tribes, private industry and public. This association conducts training seminars, conferences, and research into educational methods for the benefit of American Indians in the law enforcement profession.

http://nnalea.org/

Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations

This organization provides Native women with the knowledge, support, and resources necessary to achieve success in their personal and professional lives.

http://www.wewin04.org/

Native American Rights Fund

NARF has successfully asserted and defended the most important rights of Indians and tribes in hundreds of major cases, and has achieved significant results in such critical areas as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, natural resource protection, and Indian education. They also provide legal assistance to Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals who might otherwise be left without adequate representation.

https://www.narf.org/

National Indian Health Board

Based in Washington, D.C., the Board advocates for policies to benefit the health care opportunities of Native American peoples.

https://www.nihb.org/

 California Consortium for Indian Health

This statewide organization works to increase public awareness of Native health issues. They also monitor legislation and public policy to ensure Indians are included in healthcare initiatives.

http://ccuih.org/

National Indian Education Association

NIEA brings Native educators together with hopes to improve schools and the education of children. They also influence policymakers, positively impacting the educational sector.

http://www.niea.org/

Native American Water Association

This non-profit association works to enhance Tribal Sovereignty by promoting a clean and self-sustaining environment. They also provide training programs on water and wastewater management.

http://www.nawainc.org/wordpress/

Tribal Court Clearinghouse

This site offers information on tribal law enforcement including law enforcement facts, publications, agency information and links to individual tribal police departments.

http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/enforcement.htm

 Native American Enterprise Initiative

This initiative scrutinizes economic policy and its effect on Native American communities. It founded a coalition of tribes across the country as a way to advocate on behalf of Native economic interests.

https://www.uschamber.com/native-american-enterprise-initiative

 

Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center 

This organization addresses a variety of issues covering health, education, land and water rights, and economic development.

http://www.nativeshop.org/

First Nations Development Institute

With the support of individuals, foundations, corporate and tribal donors, First Nations Development Institute improves economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance & training, advocacy & policy, and direct financial grants.

http://firstnations.org/

International Indian Treaty Council 

This international council brings together Native people residing across the Americas as a means to promote self-determination and sovereignty.

https://www.iitc.org/

Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes

This intertribal league is established to advocate for the promotion and preservation of tribal sovereignty, the protection of treaty rights, assertion of tribal status, and acknowledgment by the federal government.

http://www.acet-online.org/

Accept our apologies if your program/organization/website was not included. We would like to hear from you and please contact us. Thank you.