I admit. Anything that encompasses “empowerment,” “youth” and “grass roots organizing” warms my activist soul. So when I first found out about NVision a few months back, ya, I was intrigued.  Led by cousins Crystal and Bunky Echo Hawk, the non-profit is “committed to the development of Native youth leadership and traditional and contemporary expressions of art, culture, education, and media from a Native core and perspective.”

What does this mean?  Simply put, NVision has programs specifically  designed to engage Native youth in the visual and performing arts to promote cultural self-expression. Current projects include the Culture Shock Camp “Native Souls” hip hop documentary; the NVision Tour 2007, and the upcoming film, DNA: Defining Native America.  Amazingly creative, multi-media projects developed by amazingly creative multi-media artists.

But, as with any ambitious endeavor, they can’t do this alone. They need the talent, sweat equity and financial support of others so inclined—which means you and me, homies. Whether you’re an artist yourself, or would like to help organize and spread the word about NVision’s mission, you can contact them at: nvision@pawneestar.com

Empowerment…youth…grass roots organizing. It’s what changes the world—one person, one community at a time.  And that’s something to warm anyone’s activist soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To give you a flavor of what they’re up to this summer, watch this recent video produced and filmed by a group of teenage girls in Pawnee, Oklahoma. While you’re at it, check out the NVision website where you can buy raffle tickets to win an original Bunky Echo Hawk painting with proceeds supporting scholarships at Pawnee Nation College.