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2021 UPDATE

The Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation is born

We have been grateful for the tremendous support from Steve Clem, who has helped guide us towards becoming a 501c3 organization. The Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation is officially a 501c3 nonprofit.


With the progress of the land back project, a group of people began forming an Indigenous lead non-profit in early 2021.


This organization will oversee and allow the fundraising efforts to grow, as well as continuing to increase our outreach. This project takes many people to come together to work towards one goal, and we have had multiple individuals with various knowledge step up in order to make this a true Indigenous community space. Updates will be posted as we progress. 



2020 Fundraiser to obtain a piece of Indigenous Land Back 
Herstory

This fundraiser was spearheaded by an Indigenous woman who saw a need to Indigenize spaces, and has created momentum towards positive change. This is not a say all for all Indigenous People nor is it representation of a single tribe as a whole. We value individuality & acknowledge that there are difference of opinions. This is not associated with any tribal council or advisory boards at this time. The nonprofit Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation are taking the lead on this project as of April 2021.
 This fundraiser does respect all entities that have continued to represent, educate, and honor our ancestors. We welcome collaborations.

History of homelands
The Wenatchi Tribe (p'squosa) lost their promised land during the 1855 treaty due to the government not honoring. The homelands stretch from what is now known as Wenatchee, WA. all the way up through Leavenworth, WA. and Lake Wenatchee, WA. 
There are 29 federally recognized tribes throughout Washington State
Many Wenatchi tribal members were forced to move to the Colville Reservation. The government agent in charge of surveying the land failed to do so, and the governments interest was far more invested in the railroad construction. The Wenatchi Tribe is a non-federally recognized tribe, due to the failed treaty, and under the governance of the Colville Confederated Tribe.
There are 29 federally recognized tribes throughout Washington and they are: Chehalis, Colville, Cowlitz, Hoh, Jamestown S’Klallam, Kalispel, Lower Elwha Klallam, Lummi, Makah, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Nooksack, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Puyallup, Quileute, Quinault, Samish, Sauk-Suiattle, Shoalwater Bay, Skokomish, Snoqualmie, Spokane, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, Tulalip, Upper Skagit, and Yakama.


Mary Big Bull-Lewis initially spearheaded the Land Back fundraiser launched in 2020 after meeting with many organizations, boards and individuals to discuss the project and seek support. After no clear path for this dream, she decided that forming and Indigenous lead nonprofit would be the best route in order to get this project moving forward.  
She is the Chair of the newly formed Indigenous lead nonprofit, the Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation. 
In order to create awareness and put words into action, Mary utilized her business, Wenatchi Wear, to amplify the fundraiser as well as contribute specific proceeds from selected merchandise from her business to the fundraiser. 
Wenatchi Wear is a for-profit Indigenous owned small business launched in April 2019 by Mary Big Bull-Lewis & Rob Lewis. Wenatchi Wear is passionate about creating awareness & empowering Indigenous Peoples through authentic threads. We design with a purpose, each of our designs shares important history primarily focusing on local Native American Tribes. 
A percentage of select Wenatchi Wear sales will go to the Land Back fundraiser.

Mary is an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribe; Wenatchi, Moses and Entiat & a descendant of the Blackfoot Tribe.  Mary has wanted to find a way to give back to her people. A way to protect the land. 
She was born & raised in the Wenatchee Valley and recognized a lack of Native American history being taught at grade school levels. She has focused on learning more about her culture, and during these past several years has found her purpose. A term she utilizes is Modern Native; and defines as having an urban upbringing with non-traditional teachings in a colonized space with a strong connection to the land, and drive to reconnect culture. 
She continues to create wearable art that has more meaning that a generic t-shirt with a cool design. Educating through art & storytelling is designing with a purpose. 
This land back project is her purpose: 
Honor her ancestors, protect the land and Indigenize spaces.


Community Support 
The community has asked how they can support local Native American tribes. 
Purchase authentic Native American artwork, Inspired Natives rather than native-inspired appropriated artwork. 
Donate to Native American fundraisers and or projects.
Land recognitions with a purpose.

This fundraiser needs community support for funding, cheer-leading, guidance, and more. 
If you or your organization can help in anyway, please reach out to info@indigenousrrf.org

 
Continuous Fundraiser
Our goal is to continue to amplify Indigenous voices while creating a safe space.
 As we continue to fundraise for land or a generous land owner donates a piece of land, this fundraiser will continue to raise money for a community center & trading post. The community center will be for all Indigenous Peoples to have a safe place to gather, practice traditions, dance, meet and more. The trading post will carry authentic Native American art. 

With the progress of the land back project, we have decided to move forward with forming an Indigenous lead non-profit. This will allow the fundraising efforts to grow, as well as continuing to increase our outreach.  This project takes many people to come together to work towards one goal, and we have had multiple individuals with various knowledge step up in order to make this a true Indigenous community space.  Updates will be posted as we progress. 

All funds raised through this fundraiser will go directly to the Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation to manage for the project. 

We will continue to use our voice to promote positive change, honor our ancestors and the land we walk on. 

We are the land and the land is us.
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