Indigenous Voices Rising

National Indian Youth Council

Indigenous Voices Rising

Preparing Native youth to lead in film and media by turning local talent into powerful storytellers.

Albuquerque, NM, USA

United States

Nonprofit

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We are solving two connected problems: the erasure of Native voices in media and the lack of economic opportunity in tribal and rural communities. Native Americans make up nearly 3 percent of the United States population but account for less than 0.5 percent of on-screen roles and even fewer behind the scenes. This absence affects how Native people are seen, how they see themselves, and whether they are included in the creative economy. In New Mexico, the fourth largest film market in the US today, Native communities are often left out. Most high schools in tribal areas do not offer film programs. Students who complete training have few connections to jobs. At the same time, production companies face shortages of trained local crew, especially in rural communities. Our program addresses both the representation gap and the workforce gap. We created a career-connected learning and job pathways program for Native youth while building a reliable, local talent pipeline for the industry. This is not just about employment. It is about returning creative ownership to Native storytellers and building the infrastructure needed to support them. Representation is power. We are making sure Native communities are not only included, but leading.

Our Film and Media Program helps Native Americans build real careers in the film and media industry. We guide students from high school through college and into jobs by combining education, hands-on training, and direct connections to employers. With support from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), we offer financial assistance for Native students attending film programs at community colleges, tribal colleges, and universities. Participants are paid to gain experience on professional film sets through our Work Experience program. To teach practical skills we use modern tools such as (Call Sheet software ) CrewV mobile editing apps, professional software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, and social media to teach students how their everyday life and work experience are already preparing them for film industry roles. Our annual student-centered event, the Film and Media Expo, brings students face to face with union representatives, casting agents, and production companies, helping them take the next step in their careers. Looking ahead, we aim to support the building of sound stages in rural and tribal areas so that Native creators and filmmakers can produce, distribute, and own their stories. This will boost local economies and ensure Indigenous voices are leading the way.

Our solution serves Native youth, young adults, and emerging creatives in rural and tribal communities across New Mexico, including the Navajo Nation and surrounding Pueblo and Apache tribes. These are places rich in culture and talent but underserved when it comes to access to creative career pathways, industry networks, and training opportunities. Many of the students we work with have an interest in film and media but no clear path to pursue it. There are limited programs in their schools, few connections to professional opportunities, and almost no representation of people who share their experiences in the industry. These barriers create a cycle where talent goes unseen, and potential goes unrealized. Our program changes that by creating real pathways into the industry. We provide technical training, financial support, mentorship, and direct job connections. Students not only gain skills, they gain confidence, visibility, and a future they can see themselves in. We are not simply offering access. We are creating space for Native voices to shape the industry itself. When students can tell their own stories and build careers rooted in identity and place, it changes lives. It also changes the stories the world gets to hear.