About NAIC

Welcome to NAIC (Northwest American Indian Coalition, Inc.)

a native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered in Curry County.

Who We Are

The Northwest American Indian Coalition (NAIC) is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based on the ancestral homelands of the Southern Oregon Coast. NAIC was founded to protect, restore, and honor the lands, waters, cultures, languages, and lifeways of the Northwest American Indian people — including many whose ancestral ties to this region continue despite historical trauma, forced removal, and federal termination policies.

Our work reflects both the responsibility to care for what has been passed down to us and the vision to ensure these lands and teachings endure for generations still to come.

Mission Statement

NAIC unites Indigenous communities through cultural revitalization, inter-tribal solidarity, environmental stewardship, and the healing of historical traumas. We are committed to protecting sacred lands and waters, advancing Indigenous sovereignty, and uplifting the well-being of present and future generations.

Through education, research, cultural programming, and community partnerships, NAIC works to strengthen Indigenous self-determination, resilience, and leadership while honoring the wisdom of our ancestors.

Vision Statement

We envision a future where Coast Dee-ni’, Tututni, and other Indigenous communities thrive in deep connection to their ancestral lands, languages, and lifeways. Through strong partnerships, shared stewardship, and cultural revitalization, NAIC seeks to be a catalyst for healing and restoration — creating a world where Indigenous knowledge is respected, protected, and celebrated for generations to come.

Our Work

NAIC operates across multiple interconnected programs that reflect the full circle of our responsibilities:

  • Land protection and cultural site stewardship

  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and intergenerational learning

  • Environmental advocacy, resilience, and stewardship

  • Climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness

  • Cultural revitalization and language preservation

  • Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) advocacy

  • Community wellness, food sovereignty, and health equity

  • Tribal history, archival preservation, and public education

Our Leadership Structure

NAIC is guided by multiple leadership councils that reflect Indigenous governance values of relational leadership, cultural accountability, and shared responsibility:

  • Advisory Council – Organizational oversight and program guidance

  • Generations Council – Cultural knowledge holders, elders, and youth leadership

  • Ancestral Homelands Circle – Land protection, acquisition, and sacred site stewardship

  • The Caretakers Alliance – Environmental stewardship, resource protection, and multi-partner advocacy

Interested in partnering with The Caretakers Alliance? [Click here to learn more or submit a partnership inquiry.]

Interested in general NAIC collaborations? Contact us directly for community-based partnerships in health, culture, and education.

Our Board of Directors

Our Native-led Board includes representatives with ancestral, cultural, and historical ties to Curry County and the Southern Oregon coastal region. NAIC’s board honors its responsibility to the ones who have come before us and the generations still to come.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Katrina Thompson-Upton
Founder | Executive Board Chair

Hiiné Jacqueline DePoe 
Executive Board Vice Chair

Dorothy Wait
Executive Board Secretary

Nellie Gardner-Fox
Executive Board Treasurer

Winona Butler
Board of Directors

Earl Huitt
Board of Directors

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Rick Cook
Chair | Port Orford Historic Preservation Commission

Doug Barrett
Chief | Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

Jeri Thompson
Council | Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation

Dr. Jaeci Hall
Language Advisor

Tabatha Rood 
Founder | Azaa is Well

Dakotah Daily
Founder | Teton Topo

Shu’ shaa nin-la

The Northwest American Indian Coalition is deeply grateful for the generous support of our funders. Their contributions enable us to continue our mission to restoring, preserving, and protecting the culture, heritage, and land of the Northwest American Indian people. Below are some of the organizations that have partnered with us to make a meaningful impact in our community.