Mission Statement:

Native Movement is dedicated to people power that is rooted in an Indigenized worldview and builds healthy, sustainable, and just communities for ALL. NM supports grassroots-led projects that align with our vision, that dismantle oppressive systems for all, that endeavor to ensure social justice, Indigenous peoples’ rights, and the rights of Mother Earth. 

Why:

We demand justice for the thousands of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. According to the Urban Indian Health Institute report, Alaska has the fourth-highest number of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the nation, despite the state’s small population; and that report found that Anchorage ranks third highest in the nation for the number of cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women that are not included in law enforcement records. These rates are only what is known so far. As an Indigenous-led effort, we partner closely with two Indigenous non-profits to increase our impact. Through a healing centered approach, we are seeking justice on every front for our MMIWG in Alaska. This means our strategy crosses all sectors. We are grounded in community; our work is from the grassroots level. We begin by creating healing spaces for our community through gatherings such as vigils and Indigenous Womxns Gatherings. We know we must heal in order to move the work forward.  

In Anchorage, we have been working with the Municipality; relationship building with the Anchorage Police Department including meeting with the Chief of Police, Anchorage Assembly members, and Mayor Berkowitz. This has resulted in the passing of an MMIWG Recognition Resolution.

Our statewide efforts include collaboration on drafting legislation, meeting with the state’s Attorney General’s office, inquiries with the Alaska State Troopers, and a MMIWG resolution being passed at the Alaska Federation of Natives. 

Funding supports events such as: Lunch & Learn Webinars where we share our work as well as hold ourselves accountable to the community by soliciting feedback. Women’s free self-defense and awareness seminars- we are collaborating with a local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio to host trainings. We uplift arts in action through online Solidarity Art Show for BIPOC artists. MMIWG Women are Sacred virtual 5K run. Despite the many new challenges this pandemic has brought, we remain steadfast and vigilant in this work. In addition to adaptation, we have broadened our reach and strengthened through online platforms. 

Funding Request

$7,500

50% Materials and Supplies: office supplies (paper, pens, ink) printing for fliers, advertisement. Program materials for staff & community outreach; PR items, art supplies, stamps, software. 

50% Honorarium: Elders, Healers, artists. 

Justification: We are grateful to work under the guidance of Elders, our knowledge keepers. They provide feedback and guidance to the organizing teams as well as the community at public events. In gratitude for their willingness and time we like to provide honorarium in the form of monetary or cultural gifts. Healers have been an essential part of this work. They have brought community blessings, smudging, spiritual guidance, energy work and healing knowledge to this heavy topic. In gratitude for their energy, time, and knowledge we like to reciprocate with monetary or cultural gifts. Indigenous artists in the community have felt moved to create art on MMIWG. We support our local artists and feel it’s important to have Indigenous visibility in this work. Their artwork is commissioned and used in our media campaigns. These forms of honorarium are rarely requested by Elders, Healers, and artists. However, we are incredibly grateful and acknowledge their contributions as essential. With your support we can provide them honorarium for their generosity. 

Short Bio of Organization’s Leadership: 

Complete Board of Directors, advisory board, and staff bios can be found at https://www.nativemovement.org/

Enei Begaye, Executive Director, she/her/they/them: 

Charlene Aqpik Apok, Gender Justice and Healing Director, she/her/they/them: