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About Us

N.A.T.I.V.E.S. is a tribal non-profit organization founded by George Stillday, a member of the Red Lake Nation. Our name--Native American Traditional Indians Very Evolved Spiritually--reflects our long-time commitment to protecting Native peoples’ rights to self-determination and freedom to practice our own spiritual traditions. We have been working for spiritual wellness since 1995. 

N.A.T.I.V.E.S. Foundation was founded in 1995 by George Stillday. From 1995 to 2006 the foundation served Native peoples in western states. There was no activity from 2006-2008. In 2008 the organization relocated to Minnesota with a new focus: providing shelter, basic needs, and spiritual support to Native women recently released from incarceration or experiencing homelessness. In March 2009, NATIVES moved to 60 Stevens Street West Suite 7 in St. Paul. To this point, efforts by a core group of people have focused on developing an infrastructure for the organization: central office space, securing resources, and program development. The primary focus is to purchase living space for residents at our first site and assemble resources to meet their anticipated needs. 

George Stillday, President & Frounder

Connie Stillday, CEO

 

OUR PAST WORK

Our past work gives us the experience and knowledge we need to serve Native people leaving prison.

World Peace and Prayer Day sponsors for three years (1996-1998) in
Colorado Springs, Colorado, we brought together Ute and Lakota spiritual leaders to serve people of all nationalities in a day of peace and prayer for World unity and to protect Mother Earth.
For nearly ten years we gave spiritual support to Native people in Colorado and Oklahoma prisons, providing herbs, lava rocks, traditional foods and other necessities for the Inipi ceremonies as well as locating and transporting Native Medicine Men to lead ceremonies.
Our organization also worked alongside the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to protect the spiritual rights of Native inmates in Colorado.
We supported and provided information to inmates in their successful lawsuit against the Colorado Department of Corrections.
We provided paralegal support to the families of Native inmates.