Indigenous Peoples: Full Enjoyment of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
The Indigenous Rights Center (IRC) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our tax identification number is 81-1252535. Our governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements (those open to public inspection) are available upon request.
The IRC was initially established in New Mexico on April 20, 2015. We subsequently converted the organization to a New Mexico nonprofit corporation. The Office of the Secretary of State for NM certified that our Articles of Organization were duly signed and verified on January 15, 2016. Our Certificate of Organization is available upon request.
A charitable, religious and educational organization, the purpose of the Indigenous Rights Center is to promote the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples, and preserve and defend the rights and civil liberties of all Native Americans.
Our scope of work includes, but is not limited to:
Environmental Rights, that is, collaboration with Indigenous and other organizations on environmental issues (in particular those that affect Tribal lands).
Social Justice Issues, that is, management of an annual holiday gift drive to benefit children on Indian reservations and, working with other organizations, conducting fundraising drives to help provide relief to residents on Indigenous reservations (e.g., to provide heating assistance, for example).
Religious Freedom and Protection of Sacred Places, that is, protection of Indigenous practices/ceremonies and sacred places.
Community Safety and Wellbeing, that is, advocacy for Indigenous victims of crime; violence prevention; improvement of conditions of confinement for Indigenous prisoners; and re-entry support.
Youth Mentoring, that is, encouragement of community involvement/activism on the part of the Indigenous Nation’s youth (in tribal government as well as local, state and national politics) with an emphasis on the protection of Indigenous rights and Indian traditions.
Voter Registration and Get-Out-the-Vote Strategies, that is, encouragement of greater Indigenous participation in the electoral process.