Urban Indigenous Collective: Growing Resources for Our Indigenous Community
In 2025, Urban Indigenous Collective deepened its work advancing Indigenous health equity, cultural revitalization, community wellness, and advocacy across Lenapehoking and the broader East Coast. A major milestone was hosting the 3rd Annual MMIWGT2S NYC+ East Coast Summit, which brought together survivors, families, advocates, researchers, artists, healers, and community leaders to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans, and Two-Spirit relatives through education, collective healing, storytelling, and policy advocacy.
Throughout the year, UIC expanded the work of the MMIWGT2S NYC+ Task Force and the Opeqtawmetaemoh (Flying Eagle Woman) Survivors Fund, providing culturally grounded support, emergency assistance, advocacy, and healing resources for Indigenous survivors and families impacted by violence. We also continued advancing our East Coast data and policy work through contributions to the listening sessions hosted by the New York State Missing and Murdered BIPOC Task Force.
UIC continued to strengthen culturally rooted wellness programming through talking circles, workshops, cultural gatherings, food sovereignty initiatives, and community events centered on healing, kinship, and Indigenous knowledge sharing. Our Indigenous Scholars Mentorship Program supported Indigenous students and emerging leaders through mentorship, professional development, and culturally grounded community connection.
In 2025, we also expanded our Indigenous-led research initiatives and partnerships focused on behavioral health, culturally responsive care, and community-informed approaches to healing. This included continued work in community-based participatory research, mental health equity, and culturally grounded conversations around plant medicine and traditional healing practices.
Additionally, UIC began building the infrastructure to establish a culturally responsive Indigenous behavioral health and mental health clinic designed to serve Indigenous peoples in urban communities. This foundational work included developing operational systems, strengthening behavioral health programming, building partnerships, expanding workforce development opportunities for Indigenous providers, and laying the groundwork for culturally rooted therapy, wellness services, and community-based healing models that integrate Indigenous knowledge alongside clinical care.
Through our community center, advocacy efforts, research, and direct programming, Urban Indigenous Collective continued building spaces where Indigenous peoples across generations can gather, heal, organize, and thrive while remaining rooted in cultural teachings, collective care, and Indigenous self-determination.
Goals for 2026
Behavioral Health Program
Implementing 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.
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