Urban Indigenous Collective: Growing Resources for Our Indigenous Community
In 2023, the Urban Indigenous Collective (UIC) planted the seeds to grow resources for our indigenous community. Here's a look at what we've achieved together:
Community Space and Events
Opening Our Doors: We celebrated the inauguration of our first community space in Midtown, Manhattan, with an opening day event that brought urban natives together.
Indigenous People’s Day: Attended our 4th Indigenous People’s Day event, offering free activities for children, a womb healing ceremony, and a beading circle.
Health and Wellness
Community Health Assessment: Kicked off our 4th year of the community health needs assessment to understand the physical and mental health priorities of urban Indigenous people in NYC, and published our first Community Health Forum report.
Cultural and Wellness Activities: Launched monthly beading circles, movie nights, and a book club as part of our expanding community centers program.
Education and Mentorship
Indigenous Scholars Mentorship Program: Launched our second cohort, connecting young scholars with Indigenous mentors, developing individual educational and career curriculums, and providing work stipends, monthly food stipends, tech, and metro cards for mentees.
Advocacy and Awareness
MMIWGT2S NYC+: Utilized Freedom of Information laws to create a database concerning Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Trans and TwoSpirit People.
East Coast Summit: Held a summit to raise awareness about the MMIP crisis, hosted our annual vigil for and with survivors on the day of Remembrance.
MMIWGT2S Report: Launched our 2023 report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans, and TwoSpirit People.
Goals for 2024
Behavioral Health Program
Developing our Behavioral Health Services: We're gearing up to directly support our community's mental health needs through a comprehensive behavioral health program.
Support Our Staff
Fair Wages for Indigenous Professionals: A portion of donated funds will support our staff. We believe in paying our employees true wages based on their professional, caregiving, community organizing, and cultural knowledge/experience.
Expand Our Programming
Cultural and Wellness Activities: Continue to provide free cultural and wellness activities to Indigenous community members.
Support Us
Your donation will help UIC continue our essential work in the areas we need it most. We are grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you at the community center!
To the right, we have listed some suggested donation amounts and what they may fund. Thank you for helping us grow and support our community!
Citations
"Investing in Native Communities: Philanthropic Funding for Native American Communities and Causes." Native Americans in Philanthropy and Candid Report 09/12/2019.