IAF Northwest

REGIONAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVES. IAF NW expanded its work with its Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization initiative, morphing it into a larger program called 'Building Partnerships for Collaborative Action'. Over 222 people took part in 5 Wrestling series during the year (a 5 session, 10 hour process), bringing total graduates to 669 since it started. With that critical mass, IAF NW & its affiliates shifted more attention toward collaborative action with local tribes & Indigenous-led organizations. Those include action around reforming abusive policing practices in Calgary, changing land use policies in Missoula, securing funding for urban Indigenous centers in Calgary & Spokane, & doing public education on a national referendum in Australia to give Aboriginal people a voice in parliament. IAF NW also continued its 'Health Equity Organizing Initiatives', including: monthly training sessions for 2 family medicine residency programs; classes for undergraduate students in health related fields at 5 universities; & weekly mentoring for health equity organizers in community clinics.

LOCAL CAPACITY BUILDING. IAF NW continued to adapt & deliver on its ongoing work of building the capacity of local leaders & organizers through both in-person & virtual platforms. Those efforts include conducting 12-hour Leadership Institutes for community leaders in the US, Canada, New Zealand & Australia; organizing multi-day trainings for professional organizers; & providing weekly phone mentoring support to organizers & key leaders from each of the 12 affiliated organizations. Highlights of the work by & with the affiliates include: 1) Supporting local leaders & organizers in the educational components of their campaigns to increase the number of living wage employers, provide job opportunities for workers impacted by climate change industry tranistions, expanding access to quality affordable child care & increasing access to mental health resources. 2) Conducting monthly training sessions for a group of associated agency-based organizers who are working to move their 'clients or patients' from being passive recipients of services & into active agents for change.