fbpx
 

As a Native person in this country, your voice matters. That’s the force behind the Indigneous Futures Study, an annual for-Native, by-Native survey aimed at capturing the voices and concerns for Native Peoples to add into the national conversation. 

From now through the end of January, Indigenous people are invited to participate in the second annual study— launched by IllumiNative, Native Organizers Alliance, and Research for Indigenous Social Action and Equity (RISE) at the University of Michigan—designed to illuminate the experiences, systemic challenges, and priority issues of Native peoples today.

Organizers of the study say that, for too long, a lack of data on Native people has been used as a tool to render them invisible. Now, data collected in the study will help amplify the voices of Indian Country to decision-making bodies.

“The 2020 survey was the first opportunity for Native peoples and communities to share the challenges they face with a national audience,” director of Native Organizers Alliance, Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), said in a statement. “The results gave us a platform to advocate for change at all levels of government.”

Last year’s inaugural Indigneous Futures Study had over 6,000 participants representing 401 tribes from every state across the country. The results were used to inform Congress on the impacts of COVID on Indigenous communities, according to the group.

“We were able to take a step towards reclaiming our collective voice, showing that Native people are politically engaged and actively challenging the narrative,” LeBlanc went on to say. “We proved that our voices matter and that we will organize for meaningful change.”

The survey is confidential, and includes questions about participants' daily experiences, democratic engagement, and social issues facing their communities. It should take roughly 20 minutes to complete, and participants who chose will be entered into a raffle to win one of several prizes. 

According to Amber Torres, Chairman of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, the results of this year's study will show what progress has been made from last year.

“The IFS results showed Turtle Island what the priorities were and also brought issues to the forefront…” Torres said. “The results in 2022 are very important for the fact that we need to see if we have made a dent in any of the issues that were brought up and where we need to continue to advocate for.”


To take to Indigenous Futures Survey, visit: https://indigenousfutures.org. The survey is open for Native peoples to participate until January 31, and participants must be 18 years or older.

More Stories Like This

This Day in History — May 28, 1830, Andrew Jackson Signs Indian Removal Act
Native News Weekly (May 28, 2023): D.C. Briefs
Oklahoma Legislature Overrides Governor Stitt’s Veto of Native Regalia Bill
Native Bidaské with Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire on the Opioid Crisis
Tohono O’odham Citizen Shot and Killed by U.S. Border Patrol; FBI Investigating

Native News is free to read.

We hope you enjoyed the story you've just read. For the past dozen years, we’ve covered the most important news stories that are usually overlooked by other media. From the protests at Standing Rock and the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM), to the ongoing epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) and the past-due reckoning related to assimilation, cultural genocide and Indian Boarding Schools.

Our news is free for everyone to read, but it is not free to produce. That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation to help support our efforts. Any contribution — big or small — helps.  Most readers donate between $10 and $25 to help us cover the costs of salaries, travel and maintaining our digital platforms. If you’re in a position to do so, we ask you to consider making a recurring donation of $12 per month to join the Founder's Circle. All donations help us remain a force for change in Indian Country and tell the stories that are so often ignored, erased or overlooked.

Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you. 

About The Author
Native News Online Staff
Author: Native News Online StaffEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at [email protected].