WHO WE ARE
We envision a world where ancestral resilience and generations of traditions echo through Indigenous youth and their creativity; where Indigenous voices not only survive but thrive; where hope is restored, lighting the way forward for the next seven generations and beyond.
MISSION & HISTORY.
We cultivate the next generation of Native youth leaders and allies to mobilize community through the power of culture, advocacy, and storytelling. By collective action, we strengthen Native sovereignty, protect elders, revitalize culture, preserve traditions, and build a movement rooted in ancestral resilience.
In 2020, the Navajo Nation – home to over 170,000 Diné people – became the number one COVID-19 hotspot in the United States as the virus infected more people per capita than any other state in the country. The high rate of COVID-19 infection on the Navajo Nation was influenced by systemic imbalances such as lack of access to quality healthcare, insufficient internet infrastructure, and historic disinvestment. By June of that year, Navajo Nation had 25% more cases per 1,000 people than the second most affected state in the country.
Allie Young, Director, founded Protect the Sacred (PTS) in March 2020 to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus on the Navajo Nation by organizing young people as leaders in their community. Overtime, PTS has grown into a Native youth leadership development organization dedicated to empowering Native youth through advocacy, civic engagement, and cultural preservation. PTS mobilizes young leaders to take action on critical issues like voting rights, climate justice, and public health through programs like Ride for Democracy and the Native Youth Summit.
WE EDUCATE.
WE ORGANIZE. WE STRENGTHEN.
Our Team.
Protect the Sacred ensures that our leadership is rooted in the lived experiences and cultural perspectives of Indigenous communities. This foundation allows us to approach our work with authenticity, accountability, and a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.
We also prioritize engaging Native professionals and local Native artists as consultants and contractors, amplifying Indigenous expertise and supporting the creative economy within our communities.
Advisory Board.
Our advisory board reflects the support we have received since our founding from Indigenous leaders and allies. We are honored to have their invaluable insights and guidance rooted in their experiences as leaders, advocates, and cultural stewards.
Gina Jackson
CEO, Return to the Heart Foundation
Western Shoshone & Oglala Lakota
Dr. Bijiibaa’ Garrison
Surgeon, SEARHC
Diné
Wahleah Johns
Former Director of Indian Energy Policy & Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
Diné
Vance Blackfox
Director of Indigenous Ministries & Tribal Relations, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Cherokee
Piper Perabo
Golden Globe-nominated film, stage and TV actor
RESOURCES.
2024 + 4-Year Anniversary Reflection
This impact report is a reflection of the incredible progress we have made together since our founding. It captures the stories, statistics, and milestones that define this movement. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that our work is far from over and more vital than ever. As we look ahead, let us continue to stand united in protecting what is sacred: our people, our cultures, our histories and our future.
PARTNERS.
