The NLI is a national training and research institute created by and for Indigenous peoples, focused on building pathways to leadership at all levels of government and political organizing in the U.S. Our programs are provided at no cost to participants. Our current programs include:
- Our premiere Leadership Training Program is for Indigenous leaders who aspire to run for public office in the next 1-3 years. Click here to learn more about this program and to apply.
- A newly launched Campaign Manager Training Program for Indigenous early-career and transitioning-career professionals who want to lead political campaigns or political or advocacy organizations. Click here to learn more about this program and to apply.
NLI Leadership Training Program
The Native Leadership Institute (NLI) leadership training program is focused directly on Indigenous leaders seeking to pursue elected office for the very first time. The program is a cohort-based, culturally relevant training that brings Indigenous leaders from across the country together (both virtually and in-person) for an immersive week that will provide participants with the tools and practical knowledge needed to run for office grounded in a shared cultural identity – and win.
The program doesn’t end after the initial training – alumni of the Native Leadership Institute join a supportive network of Indigenous leaders co-envisioning a political future for our peoples that centers our lived experiences, that sees ourselves represented fully and authentically in public life, and uplifts our traditional ways of being and knowing in public office.
Alumni receive access to a political network of Native and non-Native strategists that will help guide their run for office through focused workshops, mentorship by fellow Native leaders and elected officials, and resources that help pave the path to a successful run.
Our Curriculum
What sets the Native Leadership Institute apart from other political training programs of its kind is that our curriculum has been developed intentionally and specifically by Indigenous political strategists and for Indigenous candidates. Over 100+ Native leaders, elected officials, trainers, and political strategists have reviewed and added to the curriculum, and it evolves with each passing class.
A few of the major topics that we will cover include:
- Messaging & Communications
- Public Speaking
- Media Training
- Fundraising
- Organizing & Mobilizing
- Power Building
- Campaign Timelines & Budgets
- Campaign Strategy
- Political Data & Technology
- Digital Organizing
- Finding Your ‘Why’
- Understanding Sovereignty, Liberation, & Decolonization
- Self-care, Personal Support, & Guidance
Who is it for?
The core training program is designed for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian leaders who are looking to run for elected office in the United States in the next 1-3 years, and who have a demonstrated connection to their communities and a commitment to uplifting tribal sovereignty and Native power. The NLI is primarily focused on non-traditional, local, or state races.
Who it’s not for:
Potential participants who the training was not designed for include:
- Current elected officials
- Candidates who have filed to run for office
- Non-Indigenous/Native leaders
- Those seeking to run for Tribal office
- Those with beliefs that diminish power for Indigenous peoples or any community of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, two spirit peoples, immigrant communities, gender non-conforming or transgender peoples, people with disabilities, or any other frontline community
NLI Campaign Manager Training
The Native Leadership Institute’s newest program is a campaign manager training program. This program seeks to build a national class of Indigenous political professionals to support the increasing number of elected and appointed Native leaders in office, expand opportunities for Native talent at national and state political and advocacy organizations, and increase Native representation in local, state, and national political campaigns that impact Indian Country.
The program is a cohort-based culturally relevant training where Indigenous early-career or transitioning-career participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to design and run successful political campaigns or take senior political roles in political/advocacy organizations. If you are accepted into the Campaign Manager Training, there is no cost for you to participate.
The program doesn’t end after the initial training – alumni of the Native Leadership Institute join a supportive network of Indigenous leaders co-envisioning a political future for our peoples that centers our lived experiences, that sees ourselves represented fully and authentically in public life, and uplifts our traditional ways of being and knowing in public office.
Alumni receive access to a political network of Native and non-Native strategists that will help guide their run for office through focused workshops, mentorship by fellow Native leaders and elected officials, and resources that help pave the path to a successful run.
Our Curriculum
Participants will learn how to architect and lead the development of local and state political campaigns in a variety of environments, facilitate data-informed strategic campaign development, develop hard skills in each major component of modern political campaigns, and end the training with a group-based simulation in running competing candidate campaigns.
We will cover the following core competencies:
- Data-informed strategic development
- Fundraising
- Communications
- Field & Organizing
- Digital Organizing
- Soft skills, such as managing up and down, communication skills, and project management
Who is it for?
This training is designed for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian early-career and transitioning-career professionals who aspire to lead political campaigns or be leaders of political/advocacy organizations, who have a demonstrated connection to their communities and a commitment to uplifting tribal sovereignty and building Native power. Applicants must be 18 years of age.
Who it’s not for:
Potential participants who the training was not designed for include:
- Current elected officials
- Candidates who have filed to run for office
- Non-Indigenous/Native leaders
- Those seeking to run for Tribal office
- Those with beliefs that diminish power for Indigenous peoples or any community of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, two spirit peoples, immigrant communities, gender non-conforming or transgender peoples, people with disabilities, or any other frontline community