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Native Drums

Welcome to the National Indigenous Justice Information Inclusion (NIJII)

The members of National Indigenous Justice Information Inclusion (NIJII) are primarily the same team (plus a number of new members) which provided resources and support for many years through the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative (NIEJI), that many Tribes are familiar with. The NIEJI project ran from 2011-2022 and was primarily funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL)* with matching funds from the University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and Health Services. NIEJI materials are shared with permission and are grouped and identified in our web pages to be easily distinguished from our new materials and new funders.

Photo of Dr. Hume

Dr. Wendelin Hume

The new NIJII team will facilitate the activities of an array of grant and other projects and monitor compliance with grant obligations, while sharing information on this website which will serve as a resource center with trainings and other information for Indigenous Communities, our Tribal Coalition members, and allies. 

 

The members of NIJII believe that information and inclusion are fundamental pillars of a just and equitable society. Access to accurate and pertinent Indigenous information empowers individuals with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions, participate in civic life, and pursue personal and community wellness. Inclusion, on the other hand, ensures that all members of society, regardless of their background or identity, have an equal opportunity to access this information. Together, we hope to foster a more equitable, informed, and cohesive world, promoting understanding, empathy, and positive peace for Indigenous people.

Featured

AARP Fraud Watch Network Videos

Learn to recognize the warning signs of fraud.
Knowledge is the best defense against these and other common scams, with the help of free resources available through the AARP Fraud Watch Network featuring members Shoshone-Bannock Tribe.

Click here to view fraud videos. 

We are excited to share the latest edition of the NIJII newsletter. This edition raises awareness about Missing Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

Click here to view the newsletter

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 Vision and Mission Statements

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...... Read more

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Every April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).  This month is important because it provides a dedicated time to raise awareness about sexual violence, educate communities on prevention strategies, support survivors, and challenge harmful myths surrounding sexual assault, ultimately aiming to create a safer society by openly discussing the issue and empowering individuals to take action against it. 

 

By raising awareness about risk factors and prevention strategies, SAAM aims to reduce the occurrence of sexual assault by empowering individuals to make informed choices and intervene to help others when necessary. SAAM can also be a platform to advocate for policy changes that better protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

For more information, contact: National Sexual Violence Resource Center | resources@nsvrc.org 

Connections

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*The NIEJI project has been retired, but they have granted NIJII permission to share materials. The new ACL Title VI Elder Justice Grantee
can be found at iasquared.org
You can contact us with any questions at wendelin.hume@nijii.org

Address

NIJII
University of North Dakota
221 Centennial Drive, Mail Stop 8050

Grand Forks, ND 58202

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www.nijii.org

© 2026 NIJII

This website is partially funded through: The National Center for State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Grant Number 15POVC-22-GK-01494-NONF.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-23-TTP-132-00-01.

The Federal Communication Commission, Affordable Connectivity Program, opportunity number FCC-ACOGP-23-001. 
Bureau of Justice Assistance The Kevin and Avonte Program, opportunity number O-BJA-2024-172153.

None of the agencies listed nor any of their components operate, control, are responsible for, nor necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, policies, services, and/or tools provided).

© 2026 by NIJII  I  All Rights Reserved

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