Democracy is Indigenous Project at Illinois
Native American House (NAH) Undergraduate Ambassadors, Will Bartee (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Major: Integrative Biology), Justin Bean (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Major: Mechanical Engineering), and Yanaba Schroeder (Navajo, Major: Human Development and Family Studies, Minor: American Indian Studies) at the University of Illinois of Urbana Champaign have been awarded a Democracy is Indigenous grant, administered by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute.
CNAY's Democracy is Indigenous campaign is dedicated to mobilizing young leaders—ages 11-24—who wish to enhance civic engagement at the local, tribal, state, and federal levels. To qualify, projects must include a Get Out the Vote component and be delivered before the 2024 presidential election.
The NAH undergraduate ambassadors' project goals include providing a safe space for students to discuss their feelings about the upcoming election and explore self-care strategies for managing stress and fears related to election outcomes. The students also aim to boost civic engagement by connecting students with on-campus voter registration initiatives and hosting a one-time, in-person program. Other desired project outcomes include reducing barriers to student voting and easing election fears.
NAH Undergraduate Ambassadors seek to utilize their award by boosting on-campus civic engagement by employing social media to promote voting. This includes sharing educational information about Native voting rights and distributing goody bags with voting and mental health-related information, custom squirrel-shaped stress balls, stickers, and other items. Goody bags will be dispersed to various Student Affairs units and handed out in person. Their award will also support the purchase of food for the NAH Dinner on Us (DOU) program featuring the Counseling Center’s Native American Outreach Team.
On Tuesday, October 22, the Outreach Team will deliver a presentation titled “Managing Stress During an Election Season” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Asian American Cultural Center (1210 W. Nevada St., Urbana). This DOU program will also include a brief presentation by NAH Undergraduate Ambassadors, who will share information about their project. McKinley Health Center’s Special Populations Health Education Unit will also be present with a self-care station.
The Native American House wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the following campus partners who graciously agreed to participate in the Native student-led Democracy is Indigenous Project at Illinois:
American Indian Studies
Counseling Center’s Native American Outreach Team
Diversity & Social Justice Education
Illinois Leadership Center
McKinley Health Center (Special Populations Health Education Unit)
Office of Civic Engagement
Salaam Middle East & North Africa Cultural Center
The Michael L. Jeffries Sr. Center for Access and Academic Success
University Housing (Inclusion & Leadership Education)
University Library
Women’s Resources Center
Indigenous Peoples' Day 2024 Events
October 14, 2024 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. Commemorate this occasion by attending one of the free public events listed below. View all events at go.illinois.edu/IPD24.
Matrilineal Bonds and Missing Mothers: Indigenous Women in Film and Television
Speaker: Nora Peterson, Associate Director, Prevention, Women's Resources Center
Time: 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Location: Spurlock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana)
Intersectionality in Indigenous Academic Identity Development: A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Dr. Jenny L. Davis (Chickasaw), American Indian Studies
Panelists: Justin Bean (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), David Eby (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma/Muscogee Creek), Emerson Pehl (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), Yanaba Schroeder (Navajo) and Alyssa Spencer (Navajo)
Time: 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
Location: Spurlock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana)
10 Books to Read on Indigenous Peoples' Day: Pop-up Library
Time: 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Native American House (1206 W. Nevada Street, Urbana)