Aligned Part Two: WCA and NAYA Action Fund
NAYA Action Fund is convening a coalition for 5NP in Oregon, please join us!
This post is a conversation with William “Will” Miller, the Executive Director of one of WCA’s organizational partners, NAYA Action Fund. (Here’s Part 1.)
Me: In our previous conversation, Will, you described our partnership as a natural fit because “our values align and the vision we have for community healing aligns. Both organizations are about working to take down structural barriers, using our tools to the best of our ability.” Could you say more about what that means?
Will: Certainly. NAYA Action Fund works to serve community as a political resource hub in the region. We provide educational opportunities and support skill building and development for people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to their lawmakers, or who don’t know how to navigate the process. We see ourselves as a convener and thought partner in political spaces, working to uplift community for seven generations to come.
We uplift and support the Native community toward political acumen, development, and using their voice in the political process. We want to create opportunities for growth and prosperity for those in our community, not just the Native community.
Me: I just want to say that as someone who wouldn’t otherwise have access to political spaces, and who wouldn’t have any idea what to do there even I did, it’s amazing to be on the receiving end of that kind of generosity. It’s amazing to have NAYA Action Fund as a resource in the Cully neighborhood. The political process is intimidating, so to have this kind of invitation, support and guidance -- it feels like another low-key miraculous thing about being part of community in Cully. There are so many efforts to uplift people here.
WCA got connected to NAYA through their efforts to save small businesses in Cully during COVID, and through that process we got connected to you and NAYA Action Fund. And that’s how the topic of 5NP came up.
Will: Folks I’ve talked to in community are very interested in 5NP. As my colleague Dolores Jimerson noted, Indian Health Services recognized 5NP as a best practice in addressing methamphetamine and suicide prevention. We want to see our communities healing from trauma, and 5NP is another tool to help accomplish that.
Me: So what’s the next step?
Will: A 5NP law! We build a strong coalition of community partners who can become advocates for the legislation. (More about 5NP laws here.)
NAYA Action Fund is convening a coalition for 5NP in Oregon. Our goal is to introduce legislation in 2025. For anyone who would like to join the coalition, please fill out this Google form to get your contact information to me.
All are welcome! NAYA Action Fund would like to particularly invite BIPOC advocacy organizations to join us in our efforts to pass 5NP. Our vision is that our community has access to 5NP as another tool in their toolbox to heal community.
Me: WCA is very grateful for your leadership on this issue. So many Oregonians stand to benefit.
Will: From NAYA Action Fund’s perspective, we have the unique opportunity to bring community into the fold of this work, while creating opportunities for skill building and political acumen. Further, it’s imperative that we share our wisdom with other people. That’s in line with our cultural values and teachings.
Please share this invitation to our 5NP coalition with anyone you know who might be interested in making this simple, direct, effective practice available to more Oregonians.