NDN Collective Inc

Our mission: Build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations to exercise our inherent right to self-determination, while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth.
NDN Collective employs a multifaceted approach to empower Indigenous communities. This includes advocacy for policy changes, direct action to reclaim Indigenous land (LANDBACK), and promoting environmental justice. The organization also invests in Indigenous-led initiatives that aim to revitalize cultural practices and languages, and it supports projects that foster economic development and sustainability. By championing Indigenous leadership and providing strategic funding and resources, NDN Collective works to ensure that Indigenous peoples can lead their own movements for justice and equity, thus driving systemic change.

Advocacy and Policy Change: NDN Collective actively engages in policy advocacy to promote Indigenous rights at local, national, and international levels. This includes lobbying for legal reforms that protect Indigenous lands, cultures, and sovereignty, and working to influence policy decisions that impact Indigenous peoples.

Direct Action and LANDBACK Initiatives: Central to the mission is the LANDBACK campaign, which seeks to return ancestral lands to Indigenous peoples. This strategy involves organizing direct actions, legal battles, and public awareness campaigns to reclaim lands and promote the stewardship of these lands by Indigenous communities.

Cultural Revitalization: Supporting the revitalization of Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural practices is another pillar of NDN Collective's strategy. We fund educational programs, cultural workshops, and other initiatives that help Indigenous people reconnect with their heritage and strengthen their identities.

Economic Development and Sustainability: NDN Collective invests in projects that foster economic independence and sustainability within Indigenous communities. This includes supporting Indigenous-led businesses, renewable energy projects, and other enterprises that align with traditional values and sustainable practices.

Building Indigenous Leadership: The organization places a strong emphasis on developing the next generation of Indigenous leaders. This is achieved through fellowships, mentorship programs, and training that equip Indigenous individuals with the skills and resources needed to lead their communities and advocate for their rights.

Grantmaking through NDN Foundation
The grantmaking arm, the NDN Foundation, supports Indigenous self-determination to develop a sustainable future for Indigenous communities. Grants are distributed to projects that align with NDN's strategic focus areas, such as cultural resilience, climate justice, and Indigenous leadership development.

Lending through NDN Fund
The lending arm, known as the NDN Fund, provides critical financial resources in the form of loans to Indigenous enterprises that contribute to economic development within Indigenous territories.

NDN Collective is equipped with extensive resources and expertise to meet its strategic goals effectively:

Experienced Leadership and Staff: Led by skilled Indigenous leaders, NDN Collective’s team brings a deep understanding of the issues and the innovative approaches necessary for impactful solutions. Their expertise spans various areas including policy advocacy, community organizing, economic development, and environmental justice.

Broad Network of Partners: Collaborations with other Indigenous organizations, non-profits, and private sector partners amplify their capacity to implement projects and initiatives. These partnerships enable the leveraging of additional resources, shared knowledge, and expanded reach.

Robust Financial Instruments: Through both grantmaking via the NDN Foundation and financial investments through the NDN Fund, the organization directs substantial resources towards development projects that support Indigenous self-determination and ecological sustainability.

Community-Centric Approaches: NDN Collective’s strategies are rooted in community needs and driven by the priorities of Indigenous peoples themselves. This ensures that their efforts are culturally relevant and highly effective.

Advocacy and Public Engagement: With a strong presence in public discourse and media, NDN Collective effectively raises awareness and influences policy on Indigenous issues, driving systemic change at various levels.

Grant Distribution: NDN Collective has distributed $44 million in grants to 745 grantees, showcasing our commitment to funding and supporting Indigenous self-determination.

We have provided over $6 million in loans and power-building resources, supporting nine businesses and 11 development projects that focus on community wealth building.

Our efforts have resonated widely, growing an audience of 321,366 followers and subscribers. This growth underscores their influence and reach in advocating for Indigenous issues.

NDN Collective has actively engaged with political processes, producing eight political memos and positions papers that have informed discussions at the highest levels, including the White House Office of Public Engagement and the Biden Administration. We have provided testimony before Congress and participated in global events like the COP27 World Leaders Summit, highlighting our role in major global and national advocacy arenas.

Through these efforts, NDN Collective has not only supported Indigenous communities directly but has also played a pivotal role in shaping policy and discourse around Indigenous rights and self-determination on a global scale.