Invisibility is a modern manifestation of systemic racism and one of the greatest threats to Native lives and livelihoods. Americans see such outdated stories about Native Americans that 78 percent know little to nothing about native peoples.
IllumiNative is a national, Native woman-led racial and social justice organization dedicated to disrupting this profound erasure. IllumiNative was founded in 2018 to activate the findings of the Reclaiming Native Truth (RNT) project, the largest public opinion research and strategy-setting project ever conducted by, for, and about Native peoples. Since then, they have worked to increase Native representation across key sectors, galvanized support among national audiences, and built power for Native peoples to author their own narrative and future.
IllumiNative utilizes research, narrative and culture change strategies, movement-building, and organizing to disrupt the invisibility of Native peoples, re-educate Americans, and mobilize public support for key Native issues. IllumiNative has played leading roles in nation-wide advocacy campaigns, with impacts ranging from changing racist names of national sports franchises to the appointment of the first Native American Cabinet Secretary.
Native invisibility fuels toxic misconceptions and perpetuates ongoing injustice.
IllumiNative disrupts and interrupts Native erasure with research, media, and grassroots advocacy.
Crystal and Michael built IllumiNative's strategy in response to findings from the Reclaiming Native Truth project.
IllumiNative is expanding its work in 2024 with new research, funding for Native artists, and voter activation efforts.
IllumiNative envisions a just future forward where Native voices, issues, knowledge, solutions, and contributions are fully visible and valued.
American society is in an “Indigenous renaissance” created in large part by the efforts of IllumiNative and other Native partners. In 2024, IllumiNative will launch the Natives Vote 24 Campaign, a research-informed model to empower a wave of Native civic engagement across key electoral states. IllumiNative is creating a multi-million-dollar fund to invest in diverse artists and storytellers and uplift contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues.
Crystal Echo Hawk (Pawnee), Founder and CEO
Crystal Echo Hawk (Pawnee) is the founder and CEO of IllumiNative, the first and only national, Native-led organization focused on changing the narrative about Native peoples on a mass scale. Among IllumiNative’s most noted accomplishments are its leading role helping to achieve the Washington Football Team name change in 2020, advancing contemporary Native representation in TV and film, and organizing a collaborative strategy to support the confirmation of the first Native Cabinet Secretary and Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland.
Crystal is known nationally as a thought leader, innovator, acclaimed speaker, and skilled executive who builds meaningful collaborations. In leading IllumiNative, she has built partnerships with industry leaders, including Nielsen, Netflix, NBC Universal, Amazon, Disney, Marvel, CAA, and Warner Media. Crystal serves as a member of Nielsen’s External Advisory Council and the Comcast Diversity Council. She was featured in People magazine as one of the “2021 Women Changing the World” and she was profiled in Lifetime’s “Women Making History” hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, which aired in 2021. In 2022, she was awarded the Evolutionary Award by Pop Culture Collaborative and CAA. In 2023, she was awarded The Elevate Prize.
Michael Johnson (Nuxbaaga/Sahnish/Anishinaabe), President
Michael Johnson (Nuxbaaga/Sahnish/Anishinaabe) is a citizen of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Michael graduated with distinction from University of Colorado Denver majoring in Political Science. Over the last 14 years, Michael has worked to grow and strengthen the educational, health, economic, land conservation, policy, litigation, impact investing and lending, organizing, and power building nonprofit sectors serving Indian Country to create lasting relationships built on respect, reciprocity, impact, and success with communities and allies alike.
An active member of the Just Economy Institute, an integrated capital thinker, and current Treasurer at The Kindle Project, Michael has advocated for Native people on local, national and international platforms, while also representing Tribal communities and working to educate and help philanthropists and investors find value aligned projects throughout Indian Country. A champion of Tribal self-determination and trust-based philanthropy, and a colonial systems disruptor, Michael has supported Native led nonprofits to significantly increase partnerships and revenues, with more than $210 million in grants and $15 million of investments secured to date.
