As part of the Native Communities Learning Project: We Are Still Here series, this session moved from understanding historical and contemporary realities toward meaningful action by exploring what it truly means to move beyond performative partnership and toward accountable relationship-building with Native Nations and communities.
While many organizations and systems express a desire to support Native children and families, genuine collaboration requires shifting power, centering Tribal leadership, and rethinking how decisions are made within early childhood systems.
During this session, participants explored what it means to move from allyship toward accompliceship in Native early childhood work. The discussion examined models of Tribal-led coalition building, partnership structures that create space for collaboration while maintaining Native leadership and sovereignty, and broader visions for strengthening Tribal authority within early childhood systems and practice.
This webinar is the seventh session in our 8-part series offered through the Alliance’s Native Communities Learning Project: We Are Still Here. Access recordings of past webinars here.