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.