For Immediate Release: September 21, 2022
NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power, announces the opening of applications for the fourth year of the NDN Changemaker Fellowship! The Changemaker Fellowship will be offered to 21 Indigenous Changemakers across the continental U.S., Canada, Mexico, Islands of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Boriken (Puerto Rico), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This Fellowship is designed to amplify, deepen, and catalyze the power of Indigenous leaders ready to create movements in their communities, building a world that is just and equitable for all people and the planet.
The NDN Changemaker Fellowship is a 12-month opportunity for Indigenous leaders to articulate their vision for social change, to identify the support they will need to get there and to invest in their own personal development and wellbeing.
“It has been such an honor and inspiration to support the Changemakers as this fellowship has grown and shifted over the years,” said PennElys Droz, Program Officer for the NDN Changemaker Fellowship. “We have been able to witness already-incredible people take powerful steps, deepening their personal strength, joy, and sustainability in service of strengthening the power of our families, communities and Nations. I am so excited to see who our new applicants will be and learn of their visions for powerful Indigenous futures.”
“Our communities and organizations are built up by people who oftentimes do not have the financial support to invest in their wellbeing, education, mentoring and personal development, which is critical to the longevity of the important work they have been doing,” said Nicole Yanes, Program Officer for the NDN Changemaker Fellowship. “We are honored to offer this fellowship and recognize visionary Indigenous changemakers who are working towards defending their territories, sustainably developing and decolonizing their communities.”
Applicants are Indigenous Changemakers over the age of 18 who come from all life experiences and backgrounds who are working or aspiring to work towards social change: defending our homelands and rights, developing regenerative Nations, revitalizing our ceremonies, cultures, languages, ways of life, actively decolonizing and healing our communities and families.
The NDN Changemaker Fellowship upholds NDN Collective’s cultural values and norms, including honoring the interconnectedness of all things, supporting Indigenous self-determination, and advancing equity and justice for all people and the planet.
Changemakers will receive flexible cash awards of $75,000 USD to invest in and support their innovation as leaders. To apply, the application materials can be accessed on the NDN Changemaker Fellowship page at the NDN Collective website. Be sure to register by 3pm US Central Standard Time on October 19th to ensure a timely submission. Full applications are due by 5pm Central on October 21st, 2022.
For more information and to apply, visit https://ndncollective.org/grants-fellowship/ndn-changemaker-fellowship/
For English speaking locations, contact Dr. PennElys Droz, NDN Foundation Program Officer at pennelys@ndncollective.org.
For Spanish speaking locations, contact Nicole Yanes, NDN Foundation Program Officer at nicole@ndncollective.org.
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NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building, and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.
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