The Indigenous Justice Circle (IJC)/Indigenous Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment Network (IMAGEN) seeks young Native women, Two-Spirit, and non-binary emerging leaders who are working to further Indigenous rights. This is an opportunity to join a leadership cohort, receive group mentorship from IJC/IMAGEN and gain exposure for your work. In line with our pillars, we seek to fund and uplift work on the following themes:
Native Civil Rights or Cultural Preservation/Renewal – are you doing work related to Native American civil rights or on preserving traditions, language, or culture? Native civil rights and preservation/renewal of Native art, games, oral histories, and traditions are amongst IJC/IMAGEN’s goals.
Earth, Land & Climate Justice – is your work and advocacy along the lines of land rights, sustainability, climate change awareness, or biodiversity conservation? Indigenous peoples are stewards of the land and as such their work should be recognized and given the resources to move forward.
Accessibility & Disability Rights – all lives are sacred. Is your work related to creating awareness and advocating for disability rights? We aim to make our work and resources accessible for as wide an audience as possible. You can help us work toward this goal.
Gender Transformative Justice – IJC and IMAGEN believes that Native girls, women and children have unique assets and face unique challenges. We seek people that, like us, are doing work related to gender equality, women and girls’ empowerment, education, and LGBTQIA2S+ rights.
How To Apply?
Applications close April 7th at 11:59 pm EST. The cohort will be announced in early April.
Please fill out the application form below. If you have questions reach out to info@imagen-network.org
Eligibility
Must self-identify as Indigenous or Native American
Must self-identify as a woman, Two-Spirit or non-binary person
Must be aged 14-29 years
The cash prizes and funding awards will be given out as a bank transfer or an e-Gift card
Rules and participation
6 winners will be chosen regardless of category
Each winner will receive a $500 cash prize and a $500 grant to fund their project work in 2023
Project/work ideas that we will make awards for include but are not limited to: community service and engagement, school- or college-related projects, workshops, book clubs, blogs and vlogs, and social media awareness accounts
The project work can be new or a continuation of activities you are already engaged in
The cohort of young leaders will be invited to a series of virtual gatherings in 2023 to network and receive mentorship
Young leader awardees will present during one IJC/IMAGEN webinar in 2023 (dates determined in cooperation with awardees)
Awardees will supply: (1) upon award acceptance, 3 photos pertaining to their work, and (2) by Dec 31, 2023, 3 additional photos and a short report that will be shared in IJC/IMAGEN social media and written reports
All participants will have the opportunity to explore continuing leadership opportunities and ongoing mentorship from IJC/IMAGEN