Vision and Mission Statements

Respect-Honor-Dignity-Inclusion

Vision Statement

We envision a world where Indigenous cultures and people are respected, we treat each other honorably from an early age, and we grow old together with dignity. We believe we can achieve that vision by gathering Indigenous justice information that can be used to improve policies and programs to assist Indigenous people of all ages while we collaboratively work together in the spirit of inclusion.

Mission Statement

NIJII is based off the Annishinabe word niijii, meaning friend. We wish to be a friend and use our backgrounds and knowledge, our education and training, as well as our positions in the field and/or in academia to assist Indigenous people of the United States in identifying and improving the responses to their self-identified needs.

All Indigenous people deserve the best opportunities to travel a self-determined “right path” free from hatred, violence, discrimination, neglect, exploitation, appropriation, or abuse. From neo-natal to the elderly - the individual should be respected and valued and have the resources they need to live fully and safely in their chosen community.

We will provide non-partisan information, research, services, and trainings for Indigenous individuals themselves, as well as their family members, friends, and neighbors. The resources provided will also help improve the culturally appropriate responses of professionals, care-givers, and other providers.

While our ability to respond to requests is somewhat contingent on funding and grant support the services we will attempt to provide include but are not limited to:

Share best practices and useful responses to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Networking opportunities with others addressing similar issues.
Share phone numbers and links to resources available to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Share resources and offer guidance pertaining to the development of Tribal Elder Justice Resource Teams.
Raise awareness of Indigenous needs through research, conversations, workshops, trainings, presentations, and publications.
Engage Indigenous individuals, their allies, and professionals through training modules, social and other media, and special events.
Lessen targeted violence through culturally relevant learning modules.
Impact policy through Tribal coalition building and coordinating efforts in partnership with other elder justice coalitions and their advocates.
Lessen inequities through efforts to address the digital divide as well as improve understanding of culturally relevant social determinants of health.
Expand awareness of alternatives to the dominant justice model, such as Positive Peace and Restorative Justice models.