NDN Collective Responds to White Nationalist Group’s Planned Riot at Idaho Pride Celebration

June 16, 2022

NDN Collective Responds to White Nationalist Group’s Planned Riot at Idaho Pride Celebration

“Anti-queer and trans hate is the product of genocide and colonialism – before white settlers arrived and began to wreak havoc on our people, Indigenous communities embraced our LGBTQIA2S+ community members."

For Immediate Release: June 16, 2022

Rapid City, SD – In response to recent news that 31 men – including several from Rapid City – planning to riot at a Pride celebration in Idaho were arrested, amidst growing threats of violence and heightened discrimination directed toward the LGBTQ2S+ community during Pride Month, NDN Collective released the following statements.

“June is a time for myself and my queer kin to set aside extra time to gather, celebrate our existence, honor our queer ancestors, and commemorate the sacred lives of those who we have lost due to this nation’s daily violent acts,” said Steph Viera, they/them, Social Media Manager at NDN Collective. “This attempted violence is yet another reminder that queer people are still not safe, and that there are people out there who hate us just for existing and want to claim our spirits.”

“Anti-queer and trans hate is the product of genocide and colonialism – before white settlers arrived and began to wreak havoc on our people, Indigenous communities embraced our LGBTQIA2S+ community members. Now more than ever, Indigenous queer people need our allies to commit to learning our history and join our current fights. We need people to seek to understand and celebrate us, and to protect us from those who wish us harm.”

“This brazen attempt by white supremacists to inflict harm on the Queer community exemplifies the unrelentless and inherently colonial violence embedded in cis-heteronormative ideologies,” said Brandi Douglas, Senior Communications Associate at NDN Collective. “Anti-queer and trans beliefs are what motivated these 31 individuals to seek to intimidate our siblings in Idaho, which is alarming enough – but these beliefs are also being codified into our legal system, with State lawmakers having introduced over 240 anti-LGBTQ bills in 2022 alone.

“Queer people are under relentless attack. We demand accountability for the constant hate speech and misinformation about our people being spewed by conservative politicians, on social media, and published in national news sources. We’re calling on elected officials, media makers, reporters, and education policy leaders to center queer Indigenous voices as we continue trying to decolonize the world to make it safer for everyone.”

###

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.

April 2023 Edition

Stay Informed. Take Action.

Subscribe to the NDN allies newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter. Delivered once per month.

We care about the protection of your data and would never sell your email or share it with anyone without your permission.

Meet the 2023/24 Cohort of NDN Changemaker Fellows Posted 2 days ago
Learn more about these phenomenal visionaries who continue to enact revolutionary change and build Indigenous power.
NDN Collective Urges POTUS to Reject “Permitting Reform” in Debt Ceiling Posted 1 week ago
“We are being shut out as environmental and climate related policy is part of the debt ceiling negotiations.”
5 things Indian Country Needs to Know about the Dirty Permitting Deal Posted 1 week ago
It is critical in the coming days and weeks that we mobilize and tell President Biden to reject the #DirtyDeal & #DefaultOnAmerica Act!
NDN Collective announces 2023/24 NDN Changemaker Fellow Cohort Posted 2 weeks ago
"We are hosting visionaries from their early twenties into their elder years, each one offering strong work, new perspectives, and pathways towards a future that speaks to the question our founder and CEO Nick Tilsen poses, “What if our best days are ahead of us?”
NDN Collective Launches 2023 Collective Abundance Grant: A Wealth Building Opportunity for Indigenous Families Posted 3 weeks ago
The Collective Abundance Fund supports the traditional aspects of wealth, like down payments on a home, education expenses, or capital investments in a new or current business.
NDN Collective and Native Organizers Alliance Respond to Biden 2024 Re-election Announcement Posted 1 month ago
“Now more than ever, it is crucial for the Biden-Harris administration to recognize the leadership of Native peoples and our communities’ ability to drive turnout in local and federal elections. The Native vote holds the power to determine the outcome of elections. We cannot be ignored.”
NDN Collective Launches Podcast, "LANDBACK for the People" Posted 1 month ago
Featuring conversations with Indigenous organizers, activists, matriarchs, and protectors from across Turtle Island, LANDBACK For the People provides an up-close-and-personal experience that is bold, action-oriented, and solution-focused. The first episode features Civil rights pioneer Madonna Thunder Hawk.
NDN Collective Responds to Biden Climate Justice Executive Order Posted 1 month ago
"This action from the Biden Administration signals that our guidance and feedback, informed by our lived experience as environmental justice and Tribal community members, is not only being heard but is being acted upon and implemented in the ways that we need."
NDN Collective Welcomes the Collective Abundance Team Posted 1 month ago
The team of three will support the implementation of the Collective Abundance Fund, which is to support the rebuilding of Indigenous and generational wealth by providing significant resources for wealth building activities across the tri-state region of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
NDN Collective Announces 2023 Open Application Period for "Community Action Fund" in Support of Indigenous Frontline Organizers Posted 1 month ago
Grants up to $30,000 offered to support on the ground organizers and movement builders who stand on the frontlines to defend Indigenous Peoples inherent rights to self-determination and equity for all people and Mother Earth.

United like never before, we rise together—arm in arm—to equip all Indigenous Peoples with the tools needed to become architects of our future. Through a holistic approach to infrastructure, funding, advocacy, movement building, and philanthropy we are fostering a world of justice and equity for all people and the planet.