The lack of relationship with and knowledge about Indigenous peoples, culture and communities isn’t by accident; it is the direct result of centuries of marginalization that began with land theft and genocide.
This Native American Heritage Month, Equity In The Center is fundraising for the Piscataway Conoy Tribe through their 501c3 Through Piscataway Eyes. We will match $5,000. Please donate to our Facebook Fundraiser or directly on their website.
Equity In The Center’s commitment to paying a land tax
Leading with our values of being Pro-Indigenous and Pro-Black, Equity In The Center (EIC) remains inspired by the possibility of working into a Pro-Indigenous framework for our collective liberation. Since December, 2020, we have established a practice of paying a land tax to the Piscataway Conoy, whose land we occupy in the Washington, DC region. EIC allocates 2% of our annual budget for this purpose, and encourages colleagues to redistribute resources as part of a broader commitment to take action in solidarity with Indigenous communities.
Our contributions have helped the Piscataway Conoy advance several initiatives, including purchasing and developing land and hiring two Piscataway youth as part-time support for community work. While this increased capacity is welcome, it is limited by the lack of funding. As they work to meet 400 years of unmet community needs – ranging from education to food insecurity to healthcare – the lack of resources emerges as the most significant barrier. For example, the two pieces of property the Piscataway Conoy purchased with our annual tax will require more money for them to be developed.
Take action in solidarity with Indigenous communities
Are you curious about what a reparative relationship with Indigenous communities could look like in your own work? If you are ready to move from acknowledgement to action in solidarity with Indigenous communities, we invite you to put your values into practice by establishing a .5% or more contribution to one or more local, regional or national Indigenous organizations/communities as a permanent line item in your organization’s budget.
Ready to act now? With support from our board member Carly Hare, EIC has developed this list of Indigenous-led organizations to support. The list includes intermediaries by program area, tribal groups by region, national organizations championing change, and regional associations supporting sovereignty. And explore the framework and resources developed by our partners at Decolonizing Wealth Project.
How we allocate resources is a reflection of our values. EIC hopes you’ll join us in this critical reparative work as we navigate the coming months and years.
