Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network
Artwork: Paul Jackson Jr. Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
To support current and future leaders within the Colorado River Basin in protecting our communities and environment through relationship building, the exchange of information, and development of leadership and other professional skills.
Our Mission
Native American women serve as the backbone for many tribal communities. We seek to provide support for these women.
Founded in 2021, the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network (IWLN) recognizes the important role that women play in tribal communities. Many tribal communities are matrilineal and Native American women have always served as the backbone for these communities. Notwithstanding the historical role of indigenous women in Native communities, they are often not sufficiently prepared to navigate the inescapable realities they face as professionals and leaders. As future leaders, Native American women need more opportunities to blend, integrate, and utilize a hybrid application of the technical skills gained through formal training with indigenous skills in learning, communication, and community problem-solving. Leadership skills related to emotional health, spirituality, connectivity are important for success, as well as having a sense of endurance, persistence, and belonging.
Within the realm of water, IWLN seeks to:
Connect emerging Native American women leaders to established, well-recognized Native American women leaders;
Develop a community of individuals supporting one another in honoring traditional language, culture, and community with economic and professional opportunities so women who want to work in their chosen professions can find or create job opportunities in their chosen professions on their tribal homelands; and
Create a platform for Native American women working on water and natural resource issues to mentor and inspire each other, exchange information, build and refine skills in leadership, and to facilitate a succession of Native American women in positions of leadership in their community.
IWLN is a new initiative catalyzed by the Water & Tribes Initiative. To learn more, please visit their site.
