INDIGENOUS FUTURES VOL. I
WELCOME TO NAYA ACTION FUND’S FIRST NEWSLETTER!
Osiyo (Hello)!
The NAYA Action Fund was founded in November 2020 by a growing need to uplift, support, and elect Indigenous leaders at all levels of government. Since our creation, the NAYA Action Fund has worked to uplift candidates of color, worked to pass policies that impact the Native community, and increased civic educational opportunities to enrich our collective power.
The NAYA Action Fund has seen much growth and change. Its roots are in our core values: Respect, Balance, Pride, Giving, Community, Tradition, Kindness, Accountability, Diversity, and Leadership. This year, we were focused on our strategic planning process, to inform the work of the NAYA Action Fund over the next 3-years. We launched this process in partnership with the community, which has influenced the development of the strategic plan. The plan will be finalized for publication by July 2023.
We also experienced a shift in organizational leadership. Paul Lumley (Yakama Nation) stepped down as Executive Director of the NAYA Action Fund to continue serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Native American Youth & Family Center. Paul’s original intention was to help build the NAYA Action Fund and then hand it to another leader to lead. As a result, the Board of Directors named William “Will” Miller (Blackfeet/ Cherokee) as Executive Director in February 2022. Will brings over a decade of experience in policy, advocacy, campaigns, and systems change.
The NAYA Action Fund is uniquely poised to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) candidates, often those who are running for the first time. Our vision of endorsing candidates stems from electing leaders who align with the mission, vision, and values of the NAYA Action Fund. Our shared vision is to uplift, advance, and engage the Native community through policy and systems change.
Several key endorsements were made for candidates running for office. These endorsements were rooted in our values, vetted by community, and verified through interviews.
>> Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon
>> Annessa Hartman, Oregon State Representative, HD 40
>> Tawna Sanchez, Oregon State Representative, HD 43
>> Travis Nelson, Oregon State Representative, HD 44
>> Darleen Ortega, Judge, Oregon Court of Appeals
>> Laurene Contreras, Washington State Representative, LD 14
>> Daryl Williams, Washington State Representative, LD 38
>> Debra Lekanoff, Washington State Representative, LD 40
>> Chris Stearns, Washington State Representative, LD 47
>> Claudia Kauffman, Washington State Senator, LD 47
>> Marie Glusenkamp Perez, Washington State U.S. Representative, CD 3
This year, the NAYA Action Fund was presented with a unique opportunity. For the first time, we endorsed ballot measures! This allowed us to share our position on critical measures impacting our communities. The three measures endorsed are as follows:
>> Measure 26-228: Portland Charter Reform: Changes the City of Portland’s governance structure by increasing the city council from 4 members to 12 members and establishing ranked-choice voting.
>> Measure 111: Right to Health Care: Amends the State constitution requiring the state to ensure each resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate, and affordable health care as a fundamental right.
>> Measure 113: Holding Elected Officials Accountable: Disqualifies legislators from re-election following the end of their term if they are absent from 10 legislative floor sessions without permission or excuse.
As we think ahead, the NAYA Action Fund seeks to focus our efforts on the following areas: building and strengthening a strong foundation of administrative and operational infrastructure, increasing opportunities to raise funding to support our work, building a greater network of individuals in our community, and endorse candidates in Oregon and Washington.
Our work strengthens the bedrock of our democracy. It is our hope that you will feel inspired to donate, volunteer, and/or sign up to support our work. We are only as strong as our community, which is why I ask for your continued support as we move throughout 2023 and beyond. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss the work of the NAYA Action Fund further: info@nayaaction.org. You can find out more by visiting our website,www.nayaaction.org.
Nihi Unalii (Your Friend),
Will Miller (Blackfeet/Cherokee)
Executive Director
NAYA Action Fund
william@nayaaction.org
2023 Legislative wins
OREGON LEGISLATIVE RECAP
The 2023 Legislative Session lasted 160 days (about 5 and a half months) and was filled with many highs and lows. Our team was busy meeting with coalitions, legislators, and various tables that helped shape decisions on key bills. The Oregon Legislature convened on Tuesday, January 17th and adjourned Sine Die Sunday, June 25, 2023.
Despite our strategic efforts, the Oregon Senate Republicans walked out over HB 2002, gender affirming care. They didn’t show up to work for over six weeks, creating the longest walkout in Oregon history. This unfortunate event created one of the most difficult sessions for lobbyists and legislators alike.
During the session, 2,970 measures were introduced, more than any other session in the last decade. Of the measures, 653 passed, roughly 22%, according to Mahonia Public Affairs. We adopted and lobbied for over 29 legislative items. We are proud of the efforts we undertook but there is still much work to be done. We were successful in passing five of our top ten priorities, and out of 37 endorsed, 15 passed.
WASHINGTON LEGISLATIVE RECAP
The Washington Legislative session began January 9, 2023, and adjourned April 24, 2023, lasting 105 days. Legislators managed to pass legislation that both benefit and uplift American Indian/Alaska Native communities in Washington. We saw victories in the expansion of the operating and the capital budget that included funding programs that will provide more housing opportunities to underserved BIPOC communities.
We began the session engaging in the Washington legislature with training and educational opportunities for our members to be taught the legislative process. We held legislative-breakdown luncheons, and trainings for educational opportunities to our community members. Our goal this year was to empower and uplift each of our community members to be advocates and take their knowledge and tools home to their families and community. We continuously explained and broke down every bill we endorsed so that our community felt fully empowered to engage in the legislative process and began influencing lawmakers.
We continued our partnerships with coalitions with other organizations, advocating for housing reform, economic empowerment, educational development, and mental health and wellness issues. We went to Olympia to meet with legislators to educate them on various issues. Particularly, around the need to protect our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People.
DECOLONIZING DEMOCRACY SUMMIT
On June 9, 2023, the NAYA Action Fund and One America Votes came together to host the 2023 Decolonizing Democracy Summit. The summit was specifically geared toward discussing the results of the 2022 election within Washington's Congressional District 3. The summit was attended by over 50 individuals from civic engagement and community-based organizations. Attendees were also encouraged to set their sights on the future and begin the process of forming electoral organizing targets in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 election. Empowered and invigorated, the participants left the summit wholeheartedly devoted to preparing their respective communities for the work to come.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Understanding the Oregon Legislature
>> Monday, September 18 from 12:00 – 1:00pm <<
&
>> Tuesday, November 7 from 6:00 – 7:00pm <<
Understanding the Washington Legislature
>> Thursday, August 31 from 12:00 – 1:00pm <<
&
>> Monday, November 6 from 6:00 – 7:00pm <<
To register for any events, please contact William Miller, Executive Director, at William@nayaaction.org
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
City of Vancouver Charter Review Committee | 15 Vacancies
City of Vancouver is seeking community members who live within Vancouver city limits to serve on the 2024 Charter Review Committee. Vancouver’s charter was approved by voters in 1952, it serves as Vancouver’s “constitution” and directs the City government’s structure and operations.
This volunteer group will review the charter and present recommendations for changes to Vancouver City Council. If the changes are approved by the council or through a citizen petition, they will be placed on the ballot for a public vote. The last charter review process occurred in 2019, with changes approved by voters in the Nov. 5, 2019 election.
The deadline to apply is August 31.
City of Vancouver Transportation Mobility Commission | 4 vacancies
City of Vancouver is seeking a youth, senior, bus rider and cyclist to represent Vancouver on the Transportation Mobility Commission (TMC). The volunteer TMC is an 11-member commission that provides advice to Vancouver City Council, the City manager and City staff on a variety of transportation and mobility-related projects, programs and policies. It also provides ongoing feedback and guidance on development of Citywide transportation policy through the update of the City’s Transportation System Plan.
We're specifically seeking people who represent the following groups:
Persons age 16-19
Persons age 65 or older
Persons who uses public transit as their primary mode of transportation
Persons who bicycles as their primary mode of transportation
The deadline to apply is August 31.
City of Vancouver Lodging Tax Advisory Committee | 8 vacancies
City of Vancouver is seeking applicants to fill openings on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). Four of the positions must be held by people who work for a nonprofit organization that would be eligible for lodging tax grant funding. The other four must be held by people who own or work for a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast required to collect the lodging tax.
The City is authorized to collect a 4% lodging tax on hotel, motel or bed and breakfast stays. LTAC is a volunteer body that makes recommendations to City Council about how that tax revenue is spent. Over the years, the committee has helped award hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to local projects and events that increase tourism in Vancouver.
The deadline to apply is August 18 (previously June 26).
City of Vancouver Building and Fire Code Commission | 1 vacancy
City of Vancouver is seeking a volunteer with a background or experience representing specific areas in the building or fire code and/or the construction industry to join the Building and Fire Code Commission (BFCC).
The BFCC is a volunteer commission of at least five members that makes recommendations to the Vancouver City Council about changes to, or adoption of, City building and fire codes.
The deadline to apply is August 18 (previously July 6).
SUPPORT NATIVE ADVOCACY IN ACTION!
NAYA Action Fund's work is made possible by our generous network of donors and funders.
With your generous support, NAYA Action Fund provides tools to shape public policy, cultivates leadership development, and works to elect champions who support policies improving the lives of the Native community. Our vision of systemic change is youth centered, family driven, and elder guided.
The NAYA Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions to our organization are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions.
