As Muslims, we are called upon to donate for the collective good as well as to stand for justice with those who face oppression. Around the world, Indigenous Peoples are fighting to defend their lands against multinational corporations which seek to further exploit the Earth and all of creation for profit. Indigenous Peoples are being killed while protecting their lands. Today, we ask you to show support from a model of ‘solidarity, not charity.’ 

We are in the rare time of the year in mainstream society when many people are reminded that we all live on Indigenous lands. The holidays of Thanksgiving, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as well as Native American Heritage Month may bring up some level of awareness. Here in New York City we too live on Indigenous lands—the original territories of the Lenni Lenape and other peoples. ‘Mannahatta’ is a Lenape word. (For resources related to Thanksgiving, you can view Racial Justice Guide to Thanksgiving for Educators and Families.)

To acknowledge and thank the original peoples of North America, we invite you to make a donation to the American Indian Community House, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving the health, social service, and cultural needs of Indigenous Peoples residing in New York City and beyond. 100% of the funds raised will go to AICH. Here in NYC, the American Indian Community House has been an organizing hub for fights against pipelines including supporting the movement at Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline. We have a history of relationship with this work from when we organized a delegation through the ICNYU to visit Standing Rock to be in solidarity with the movement there. 

About American Indian Community House

AICH was founded in 1969 by Native American volunteers as a community-based organization mandated to improve the status of Native Americans, and to foster inter-cultural understanding. Today AICH unites members of more than 72 nations, including the Lenni Lenape, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Shinnecock, all of whom are the original people of New York. AICH provides health and wellness services, spiritual services, cultural programming, social services, space for political organizing and more for Indigenous Peoples in NYC and the region. American Indian Community House is a home for many Indigenous Peoples here in NYC. For many people leaving their home communities and coming to NYC, AICH is where they go to. AICH has been central to the upbringing of many Indigenous people who are born and raised in NYC. 

“I was told by my home community to seek out AICH when I arrived in NYC - that I would find a welcoming community for Natives there.” — Chad T.

Why Give?

AICH is a center of Indigenous life for people from many distinct Indigenous Nations, including the original peoples of these lands, the Lenni Lenape and others. And in 2019 the American Indian Community House is celebrating its 50th anniversary which is another reason we want to support AICH today. 

We are also called upon to be good stewards of the environment. Supporting Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty and ability to self-organize is one of the best ways to protect the environment. Their lands are also the most biodiverse places in the world. Although Indigneous Peoples are approximately 5% of the world's total population, they protect 80% of global biodiversity. 

For people who want to learn more about how to support the American Indian Community House and keep up to date with their community work, you can follow them on Facebook, here and on Instagram, here.

Recent media coverage of the American Indian Community House:

“What New York City’s indigenous people deserve” is an op-ed published online by the New York Daily News, co-authored by AICH’s interim executive director, Iakowi:he’ne Melissa Oakes (Mohawk Nation, Haudenosaunee Confederacy) and Elsa Asher: https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-why-we-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-20191012-siejjyfopjfenklmg7jseresye-story.html

Here is an interview with AICH’s interim executive director, Iakowi:he’ne Melissa Oakes (Mohawk Nation, Haudenosaunee Confederacy) from Democracy Now! from Indigenous Peoples’ Day https://www.democracynow.org/2019/10/14/indigenous_peoples_day_columbus_day