January Newsletter
In 2025, NAYA Action Fund built Native electoral power across Oregon and Washington by endorsing candidates, weighing in on key ballot measures, and supporting a strong Native vote in every election.
2025 Endorsed Native Leaders
This year, NAYA Action Fund endorsed a slate of Native and allied candidates running for local offices that have real impact on our daily lives.
In Oregon, the Action Fund endorsed William Miller (Blackfeet, Cherokee) for the Mt. Hood Community College Board, Zone 2, and Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie (Wasco, Navajo, Yakama, and citizen of the Warm Springs Nation) for Director at the Multnomah Education Service District—both of whom won their races and bring Native leadership and lived experience into critical education roles. Rebecca Descombes (Inupiaq / Enrolled with the Native Village of Barrow) for Hillsboro School District Position 6 was also endorsed.
Our candidate endorsements also reached into Southwest Washington, backing community leaders like Kim Harless (Ópata) for Vancouver City Council Position 1 and Mahsa Eshghi for Camas City Council Ward 3 Position 2, who both won their contentious races. We also weighed in on the Clark County Charter Review Commission races, endorsing two candidates in District 1: Patrick Adigweme for Position 1, who was successful in their election, as well as Adrienne Mason for Position 2.
Even where candidates did not prevail, these campaigns helped grow Native civic visibility, built relationships, and moved our shared agenda forward.
Ballot Measures That Shape Our Future
In addition to candidates, NAYA Action Fund takes positions on ballot measures that directly affect Native communities, workers, and the environment. In 2025, that included support for the City of Vancouver Charter Amendment 13, which would have created geographic voting districts and strengthened neighborhood representation on City Council, and support for Portland’s Measure 26-260, a five-year parks and recreation levy that renewed vital funding for community spaces and programs.
The Action Fund also continues to build on recent wins from statewide measures such as opposition to Washington Initiatives 2117 and 2109, both of which sought to roll back critical climate and revenue policies. Some of these policies support programming at NAYA in WA and ensure opportunities for community for years to come. These campaign positions are grounded in a vision of healthy lands and waters, strong public services, and systems that reflect Native sovereignty and self-determination.
Why Native Votes Matter
Native voters are often the margin of victory in local and regional elections, especially in school boards, community college boards, city councils, and special districts. When Native community members turn out, they help elect people who understand Tribal sovereignty, cultural education, housing and homelessness, climate justice, and community safety from a Native perspective.
By endorsing candidates, weighing in on ballot measures, and engaging our community year-round, NAYA Action Fund helps ensure Native voices are not just heard, but centered in public decision-making. Each endorsement is an invitation for community members to learn more, talk with family and neighbors, and vote their values up and down the ballot.
How You Can Plug In for 2026
There are several ways supporters can get involved with NAYA Action Fund’s 2026 electoral and advocacy work. Community members can sign up for action alerts, attend educational events and candidate forums, join us in Salem and Olympia to lobby our representatives, and volunteer to help with voter outreach and Get Out the Native Vote efforts in Oregon and Washington.
Supporters can also help amplify endorsements and ballot measure positions within their networks, share voter information resources, and host conversations about what’s on the ballot in their own circles. To stay connected, learn about upcoming events, or support this work with a contribution, visit nayaaction.org and follow NAYA Action Fund on social media.
