Organizer

Job Summary

NDN Collective is a dynamic, movement building organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. As a multi-faceted eco-system aligned around the NDN vision and mission, it strives to uphold a decentralized and consensus based decision making structure. NDN Collective is looking for a committed, community-connected organizer to help lead efforts across, including four powerful, place-based projects in the He Sapa (Black Hills):

  • Protect the He Sapa – defending sacred lands from extractive industries and development
  • He Sapa LandBack – advancing land return and supporting the He Sapa Restoration Act
  • Waziyata Community Development Project – building a thriving, Indigenous-led community in our homelands
  • Bison Homelands Initiative – advancing the development of a 300,000+ acres bison corridor connecting Wind Cave across the Missouri River

Reporting to the Director of He Sapa Initiatives, the Organizer will walk alongside elders, youth, families, land defenders, and movement partners to uplift Indigenous leadership, organize with care, and move together toward land justice and community wellbeing. Organizers will be on the ground with the people — listening, building trust, and turning collective vision into action; this is relational organizing. This role is rooted in the belief that the answers are already in our communities. We are simply organizing to bring them to life.

The Position

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Organizing & Mobilization

  • Build and nurture deep, trusting relationships with local Indigenous communities, Tribal Nations, elders, youth, and grassroots leaders in the He Sapa region.
  • Organize and mobilize community members in support of the Protect the He Sapa campaign to resist harmful development and extraction in the Black Hills.
  • Lead public education and engagement strategies for the He Sapa LandBack campaign, including uplifting the He Sapa Restoration Act.
  • Assist and advise with local organizing around the Waziyata Community Development Project, ensuring grassroots input and participation in sustainable land use, housing, and cultural projects.
  • Assist and advise with local organizing supporting the Bison Homelands Initiative, advancing bison restoration and conservation efforts.
  • Strategize and coordinate  rapid response organizing in moments of resistance or defense.
  • Identify and leverage community partnerships that lead to effective protection strategies for He Sapa and other Indigenous lands

Campaign Strategy, Policy, & Advocacy

  • Lead the engagement of community members in resisting harmful projects and protecting sacred sites in the He Sapa
  • Support the development and advancement of tribal, state, and federal policy strategies that protect the He Sapa, including monitoring legislation, engaging decision-makers, and coordinating advocacy efforts with Tribal Nations and partner organizations.
  • Build and maintain relationships with Tribal governments, community leaders, and policy advocates to strengthen collective advocacy and coordinated action to defend the He Sapa.
  • Lead and manage the execution of the Protect the He Sapa campaign strategy.
  • Participate and support on outreach and engagement for the He Sapa LandBack campaign, Bison Homelands Initiative, & Waziyata Community Development – ensuring community voices shape the direction of the work
  • Develop and maintain a database of supporters and organizing contacts.
  • Integrate tactical media into campaign strategy to strengthen advocacy efforts, including developing rapid-response media, creative direct action visuals, and digital amplification tactics.

Education & Public Engagement

  • Plan and facilitate community meetings, teach-ins, listening sessions, direct actions, and cultural events in support of all three initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the NDN Communications team to uplift local voices and community leadership through storytelling, press work, and digital campaigns.
  • Facilitate intergenerational learning and cultural education around the Black Hills, emphasizing Indigenous land stewardship and sovereignty.
  • Develop and utilize tactical media strategies (e.g., creative visuals, digital storytelling, viral content, and counter-narratives) to amplify Indigenous voices, mobilize support, and challenge harmful narratives.

Relationship Building & Coalition Work

  • Represent NDN Collective in local coalitions, regional meetings, and advocacy spaces.
  • Build bridges between Tribal leadership, grassroots movements, national allies, and legal partners to advance unified efforts around land return.
  • Support collective actions, campaigns, and ceremonies that align with the values of Indigenous sovereignty, healing, and LandBack.

Administrative & Reporting

  • Maintain detailed records of outreach, community engagement, and advocacy actions.
  • Participate in internal meetings, staff retreats, and ongoing learning and strategy sessions.
  • Undertake special studies, tasks, and projects as requested by the Director of He Sapa Initiatives, President & Founder/CEO.
  • Other duties assigned.

Who You Are

Education and Experience

  • Deep connection to the He Sapa region and lived experience in Indigenous community.
  • At least 2 years of experience in grassroots organizing, campaign work, advocacy, or community leadership (paid or unpaid).
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, movement-driven environment.
  • Comfortable with flexible work hours, evenings/weekends, and local travel.
  • Self-starter with an organizer’s mindset: curious, courageous, consistent.
  • Deep alignment with NDN Collective’s mission and values.

Knowledge and Ability

  • Experience facilitating intergenerational or community-based gatherings.
  • Experience planning or leading direct actions, land defense efforts, or political education.
  • Outstanding interpersonal and partnership development skills 
  • Proficiency in Google Suite, MS Office Suite, and grants management systems preferred with the ability to learn other systems, software, programs, and applications.
  • Relationship builder and collaborator as part of a team to move projects forward in a timely manner with a high level of success
  • Familiarity with tactical media approaches, including creative use of art, technology, and digital platforms to advance movement messaging and organizing goals.
  • Appreciation of and motivation to advance the NDN Collective mission, vision, and Theory of Change.

Personal Characteristics

  • ACTIVATOR: You are a self-reliant person and are strong at making things happen by turning thoughts into actions. You take initiative, utilize resources, and move projects forward with purpose.
  • LEARNER: You have strong learning agility and are able to rapidly understand and analyze new situations. You learn from your successes and failures and improve processes to drive our mission.
  • COMMUNICATOR: You are able to clearly and effectively convey messages in a timely, thoughtful, and well-structured manner. You are able to communicate in various mediums: written, verbal, visual, and non-verbal.
  • ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: You are ambitious, creative, and enjoy the process of building something from the ground up. You are proactive and take ownership of your work while actively seeking opportunities to contribute to the growth of the organization.
  • SOCIALLY & EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT: You work well with others by demonstrating empathy, respect, and strong interpersonal awareness. 
  • You build trust, navigate group dynamics effectively, and foster positive relationships across diverse teams and settings.
  • DETAIL-ORIENTED: You are attentive. You take responsibility and seek continuous improvement within your position. You are able to seamlessly move between precision and creativity, and are able to move from the highest level of a project to its smallest details, while ensuring quality in your work.
  • FLEXIBLE: You adapt in a fast-paced environment and when priorities shift. You handle emergent needs for your team and the ecosystem, and you are willing to travel when needed. You are able to find balance between the work and your emotional, spiritual, and physical health. 
  • WORLDVIEW AS A RELATIVE:  You see and understand that NDN’s work is connected to a larger movement toward justice for Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations, and that “we are all related.”  You embrace your role as part of a larger team and ecosystem supporting that goal. 

This position is salaried, commensurate with experience, with a salary ranging from $66K – $75K. A generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave, professional development, and more.

How To Apply

Please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “INSERT JOB TITLE – [YOUR NAME].” In the email, please include the following as a single PDF attachment:

  • Your resume
  • 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in NDN Collective and the position
  • A separate page with short answers to the following questions:
    • How has your experience working in Indigenous communities informed your current work and your interest in this position?
    • How would you advance environmental justice within the Protect the He Sapa campaign while ensuring Tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, and community voices remain centered in decisions about land and resource protection?
    • If you were offered and accepted this position, what would you be most nervous about going into this role? 
    • NDN Collective conducts background checks. Is there anything that you need to share with us regarding your background? 
    • Do you have personal or social connections to anyone who works at or with NDN Collective? If so, who do you know and what is your relationship/connection?
    • Have you ever been an NDN Collective grantee or applied for a grant with us?
  • In the body of the email, please include a short introduction and include your name, current address, and phone number. 

As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.

Note: Please apply to one position only.

NDN Collective is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination.  It is NDN Collective’s policy to comply with all federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity. In keeping with that policy, NDN Collective is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of any of our employees or others present at our facilities by anyone, including any NDN Collective supervisor, co-worker, vendor or client. 

Please apply by Monday, April 6th 2026, to be considered for this position.