Mission
Our mission is to educate tribal communities to construct a representative democracy through community organizing, leadership development, civic engagement, and public policy advocacy.
Vision
Our vision is to inspire tribal members to take action on the issues that affect their communities. We work to build power and to enhance leadership for North Dakota’s Native people. We are a resource that promotes tribal self-determination.
Values
We carry on the values of our ancestors and the foundation they created for us to preserve our way of life. These values guide the work we do to strengthen Native communities across North Dakota.
We Work to Inspire:
| I | Inspire indigenous action |
| N | Native voices and native faces |
| S | Strength from unity |
| P | Passion for change |
| I | Interpersonal balance |
| R | Reclamation of culture |
| E | Equal representation |
Working to engage tribal members in creating A representative democracy
North Dakota Native Vote was founded during the 2018 election as an advocacy group to help organize and fight back against a voter suppression law that went into effect just weeks before Election Day. NDNV is now a permanent, full-time, year-round organization working in North Dakota.
Our goal is to build power for Native communities by educating, training, and mobilizing tribal members on key issues that affect the well-being of their communities.
We work to:
- Build a strong Native voting bloc
- Organize communities for equal representation
- Ensure Native voters can exercise their rights as citizens
- Advocate for policy at the tribal, state, and federal levels
- Partner with local supporters to identify issues and provide opportunities for grassroots organizing and mobilizing
Our work also focuses on countering the ongoing colonization of our lands, minds, and bodies by identifying systems that continue to subjugate our communities. Our work focuses on addressing disparities affecting Native communities, including civil rights, food systems, energy security, democratic participation, climate impacts on Native lands, and policies that disproportionately affect Native communities. and strengthening the well-being of Native communities.
To support this work, we focus on building long-term relationships and strengthening community leadership by:
- Creating a continuous presence in each community we serve
- Hiring and training organizers who represent the communities they work with
- Building partnerships with tribal governments, colleges, faith groups, tribal NGOs, and allies
Our work includes
- Collaborate in a statewide coalition with other groups engaged in civic engagement and electoral work
- Recruit, train, and endorse Native American candidates for office
- Increase Native voter education and turnout in key areas
- Increase participation in civic work on reservations by providing training, leadership opportunities, and identifying key issues in communities
- Advocate for policies related to voting rights, victims’ rights, treaty protections, food and energy sovereignty, and North Dakota legislative issues
awards
- 2024 Bush Prize: The Bush Prize celebrates organizations that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of successful community problem-solving.
- 2024 Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award: The award is given by the American Bar Association Task Force for American Democracy for upholding the rule of law and promoting democracy.
- 2024 Hometown Hero Award: Nicole Donaghy, executive director of North Dakota Native Vote and a staunch champion for voting rights and political representation, particularly for Native American communities in North Dakota.
Meet the Team
Meet the BOARD
Jody Lee DeLong Sr.
NDNV Board Chair
Jody began his career in higher education as a student at Turtle Mountain College, where he developed a strong passion for learning and community engagement. Through dedication and persistence, he worked his way through various grant-funded positions, gaining valuable experience in tribal governance, research, and community development.
Over time, he transitioned from grant-based roles into academia, eventually earning a faculty position in social science. Today, Jody takes pride in educating and mentoring students, using his experience to bridge academic knowledge with real-world applications in tribal governance and social issues. Each role provided Jody with deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities, strengthening his commitment to education and advocacy.
Jody’s favorite pastime is spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandkids.
“Whether we are sharing stories, laughing together, or simply enjoying each other’s presence, these moments bring me the greatest joy. It is in these times, surrounded by family, that I feel truly at peace and happiest.”
Justin Young
NDNV Board Member
Justin Young works in the Special Education Department at TJES on the United Tribes campus. Justin and his wife, Angel, are proud parents of five children and fifteen grandchildren.
Justin initially served on the NDNV board when it was established in 2018, but stepped back to prioritize his family.
“I’m grateful to return during these challenging times. My aim is to make a difference by empowering our Native community, amplifying our voices, and ensuring our communities are meaningfully represented. I’m eager to contribute and look forward to our future together.”
Wes Davis
NDNV Board Member
Wes Davis is Anishinaabe from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in Belcourt, North Dakota. He attended North Western Technical College in Bemidji, Minnesota, where he studied HVAC.
His education has led him to design a clean energy grid system called Exergy, which has taken Turtle Mountain Community College almost completely off the coal-fired energy grid.
Beyond his technical achievements, Wes’s leadership focuses on fostering community resilience and social cohesion. His advocacy for policies for policies that prioritize clean energy initiatives and local economic development has empowered Native communities to thrive despite ongoing challenges.
Wes has organized within his community on many issues, including MMIW/MMIP, clean energy advocacy, voting rights, youth suicide prevention, and women’s self-defense.
Jonathan Catch The Bear-Leafe
NDNV Board Member
Jonathan Catch The Bear-Leafe is Hunkpapa Lakota and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Sitting Bull College.
Jonathan has volunteered with North Dakota Native Vote since the organization was founded in 2018 and now serves as an at-large board member. His work focuses on advocacy and leadership development within Native communities.
He holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, an Associate’s Degree in Native American Studies, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Sitting Bull College. During his time there, Jonathon helped re-establish the Two Spirit Club in 2021, creating opportunities for learning, community events, and outreach focused on the importance of Two Spirit relatives in both contemporary and traditional contexts.
Jonathan has also participated in several national programs and internships, including the NASA Minority University Research & Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition, which led to an internship at NASA Ames Research Center.
Additionally, he has competed in the American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) Business Plan Competition with Sitting Bull College, where his team placed:
- Third place in 2021 (Las Vegas)
- First place in 2022 (Palm Springs)
- Second Place in 2023 (Las Vegas)
After completing his MBA, Jonathon plans to start businesses on the Standing Rock reservation that will create jobs, generate revenue, and strengthen the local economy.