Illuminative

Advocacy and engagement (a+e) lays the groundwork for broad narrative and cultural change for native people by amplifying contemporary native issues and voices through a broad network that spans both inside and outside of indian country. Leveraging research and organizing approaches, a+e develops cross-cutting campaigns and strategic engagements to activate and educate our network to advocate for key native issues in multiple spheres (e.g., judicial, political, media, hollywood, climate justice) to shift attitudes, behaviors, and actions.

Research and action (r+a) partners with leading native scholars, institutions, and organizations to initiate and activate original research studies for and about native peoples that inform all other areas of our work. We ensure that native voices, perspectives, and experiences are included as important and valuable sources of innovative solutions, inquiry, and examination and make findings accessible and actionable for our communities and allies to advance justice, equity, and self-determination for native peoples.

Narrative power and impact (npi) houses research-informed storytelling, digital organizing, narrative strategy, media relations, and rapid response communications that educate, engage and activate native and allied audiences around key native issues. Through this program, we build narrative power for native peoples by generating, activating, and investing in native authored narratives and creative content across media platforms to grow and mobilize mass audiences who better understand and support native perspectives.

Pop culture & media seeks to advance institutional equity for native peoples throughout the entertainment and media ecosystem. Through this pillar, we educate and engage industry professionals in best practices for native representation, support native creatives through career pathway programs, and engage in internal and external advocacy, accountability and content and talent tracking to create structural change.