NAFOA 1st Vice President VaRene Martin with ADPRO President, Tracy Stanhoff, at the American Indian Chamber of California Expo on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Photo courtesy NAFOA

5 Things You Need to Know this Week

Supporting our partners and community while (still) social distancing.

1. EVENTS:
CHECK OUT THE DRAFT AGENDA FOR #NAFOAFALL2020

The NAFOA team will miss seeing everyone in-person this fall, but we are excited to bring you a great virtual lineup that includes the high-quality education sessions you’ve come to expect at NAFOA’s conferences as well as some fun entertainment.  Registration will be available in the coming weeks.  View the draft agenda here.

2. COMMUNITY:
“INDIGENOUS FUTURES SURVEY” RESEARCH PROJECT LAUNCHED

This week, Illuminative, Native Organizers Alliance, and the Aspen Institute’s Center for Native American Youth launced the Indigenous Futures Survey. The survey will close on August 1, 2020. To learn more about the survey, or to take the survey, please visit the Indigenous Futures Survey page. IFS researchers are looking to reach as many Native relatives as possible and are seeking to partner with organizations and tribal leaders to help disseminate the survey to at least 2,000 participants 18 years of age and older. IFS disseminating organizations and tribes can request access to data collected from the survey to be helpful to their future work.

The goals of the 2020 Indigenous Futures Survey are to:

1. Identify Native people and tribal communities’ priorities for changing narratives about Natives and building a more equitable future, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic;
2. Explore the experiences and attitudes toward federal, local and tribal governance and engagement in democratic processes.
3. Demonstrate how to engage tribal and Native communities to promote shifts in the public discourse and point the way to collective actions and democratic engagement.

To participate in the IFP survey dissemination, or have questions regarding the survey, please email indigenousfuture@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-2905.

3. MEMBER TRIBES:

LISTEN TO THE STORY OF YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION’S SÉKA HILLS

The Intertribal Agriculture Council Podcast, “Resiliency Through Agriculture,” featured Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s tribal enterprise Séka Hills. In native Patwin language, ‘Séka’ means ‘blue,’ and in selecting Séka Hills as the name for their line of premium tribal products, they honor the blue hills that overlook our homeland in Northern California’s Capay Valley. Today, with more than 17,000 total acres in production, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation owns one of the most diverse farming operations in Yolo County and is one of a few tribes with expanding agriculture in California. Listen to the podcast. 

4.  POLICY WATCH:
DRAFT COVID-19 STIMULUS PACKAGE EXPECTED SOON

Over the weekend, Secretary Mnuchin and Chief of Staff Meadows finalized a coronavirus relief package with Senate Republicans with Mnuchin claiming “We do have an entire plan,” and that “The administration and the Senate Republicans are completely on the same page.” The draft legislation is expected to be released as soon as today.

Key issues emerging as defining points for negotiations include the appropriate level of unemployment assistance and liability protection for employers. The draft is also expected to contain another round of $1,200 stimulus payments for individuals and a continued moratorium on evictions. Read more from today’s NAFOA Morning Brief.

5. JOBS:
AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) strives to positively impact the lives of American Indians by supporting their higher education and career objectives. College Fund team members believe education is the answer and collectively we raise funds, provide scholarships, and holistically support students in achieving their goals. Programming, research, and enhancing the capacities of tribal colleges and universities are also integral elements of our mission. Learn more and apply.