Empower Indigenous Youth: Support DOT's UN Trip

It is important to note right off the bat that the girls involved in this fundraiser have completed numerous fundraisers to cover their expenses. The remaining amount being requested is to cover transportation and lodging:

This video is from their trip to Washington DC a few years back.

Daughters of Tradition: Who We Are

Founded in 2017 by our CEO & Founder, the Daughters of Tradition (DOT) program is an Indigenous Intertribal and Intergenerational Youth Group inspired by the powerful principles of Community Activated MedicineTM (CAMTM). Originally born from a collaboration with the White Bison Organization and their curriculum for the National Daughters of Tradition Native Youth Program, which focused on substance use prevention, our CEO expanded and evolved the group to address the broader needs of mental health, advocacy, sisterhood, mentorship, and leadership.

The group is structured to be intergenerational, fostering collaboration across age groups. It includes the following segments:

• Little Sisters: For girls aged 3 to 7 years old

• Big Sisters: For girls aged 8 to 12 years old

• Mentors: For girls aged 12 to 16 years old

• Ambassadors: For young women aged 16 and older

Each group is designed to provide age-appropriate opportunities for growth, with activities tailored to support their unique developmental needs. The structure encourages collaboration, allowing participants to learn from one another while strengthening their sense of community and leadership.

What began with just six girls has grown into a dynamic and thriving community of over 30 Indigenous girls, spanning from first grade to high school. Rooted in matriarchal leadership, sisterhood, and community-building, DOT empowers these young women to bridge the gap to wellness, providing them with the skills, confidence, and tools needed to become powerful advocates for violence prevention, healing, and social justice.

Our DOT girls are on a mission to raise their voices in community spaces, advocating for issues that impact them, their families, and future generations. As an intergenerational mentorship group, they lead by example, learning from CAMTM Therapists, Healers, and Advocates who guide them to embrace their cultural strengths and step into their roles as the next generation of Indigenous leaders. Through their journey, these young women are not just finding their

voices—they are shaping a future grounded in resilience, healing, and lasting positive change.

United Nations and NYC:

In the summer of 2025, we will embark on a transformative journey with our Daughters of Tradition (DOT) Indigenous girls, accompanied by one parent chaperone and their group facilitators, to experience the United Nations and the vibrant city of New York. This incredible

opportunity will allow our young ambassadors to take their voices to the global stage, meet Indigenous leaders from around the world, and broaden their advocacy and leadership skills in ways they never imagined. Each of our girls have become members of our local Milwaukee United Nations Chapter and have attended meetings and hosted fundraisers at local UN events for this trip!

Our DOT girls have already identified seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that resonate deeply with their commitment to healing, justice, women's and gender rights, and sustainability for the next seven generations.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, provide a shared framework for addressing global challenges, promoting peace, prosperity, and environmental sustainability, and ensuring that no one is left behind. Here are the 17 SDGs and their seven goals (in italics):

1. No Poverty – End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. Zero Hunger – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Good Health and Well-Being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

4. Quality Education – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

5. Gender Equality – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

10. Reduced Inequality – Reduce inequality within and among countries.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13. Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14. Life Below Water – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

15. Life on Land – Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

17. Partnerships for the Goals – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

These SDGs are designed to be a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

This trip will empower them to engage with global Indigenous leaders, and interact with UN representatives who shape policy decisions that impact Indigenous communities worldwide. It is a chance to make their voices heard and influence the change they wish to see in the world.

For all of our DOT Ambassadors, this will be their first time in New York City. Our goal is to make this an unforgettable journey by exploring through Central Park, seeing the Statue of Liberty, and adventuring into the heart of the city's rich cultural landscape, including visits to world-class museums and the excitement of Times Square. We even have the bold dream of taking them to see a Broadway production, allowing them to experience the arts and creativity that define this iconic city!

This trip is not just about sightseeing; it’s about igniting a spark in these young leaders, empowering them to continue their work as advocates for their communities, opening their eyes and hearts to the greater global community they are a part of, and providing them with the tools and experiences to become the change-makers of tomorrow. Your support can help make this vision a reality and inspire these future leaders to take their place on the world stage.

Why This Matters:

This is more than just a trip; it is a pivotal opportunity for our Daughters of Tradition Ambassadors to elevate their voices, share their lived experiences, and advocate on an international stage. This trip invests in Indigenous youth leadership, violence prevention, and intergenerational healing. Our DOT girls will engage with UN representatives, build relationships with other Indigenous advocates, and learn from global leaders about policy and change-making strategies.

How We Will Get There:

We are preparing for an inspiring and transformative trip in July 2025, where a total of 43 participants will embark on a journey to the United Nations and New York City. Of these, 21 will be youth, including 16 Daughters of Tradition (DOT) and 4 Sons of Tradition, who are brothers of the girls attending the trip. Each youth will be accompanied by a parent chaperone, and the group will be supported by staff from the HIR Wellness Institute.

The group will depart on July 14 by coach bus, and return to Milwaukee on July 19. The middle portion of the trip, from Tuesday to Friday, will be spent in New York City, where our DOT Ambassadors will have the opportunity to engage in significant cultural learning experiences and maximize their time at the United Nations. The coach bus and driver will remain with our group for the duration of the trip, providing transportation to various destinations throughout the city as part of our package. We have also secured a block of rooms at the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza, conveniently located across from the United Nations.

Our primary expenses are related to transportation and lodging:

• Coach bus rental: $15,000

• Hotel accommodations: $20,000 (this includes the bus driver’s room)

However, we are currently at risk of losing our hotel reservation due to the fact that we have not yet reached our goal to make the required half deposit for the hotel. Additional expenses include food, fees for attractions, and a special gift for each of our 10 Ambassadors.

As part of their graduation from the program, we plan to present each Ambassador (10 girls) with a purple business blazer adorned with a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) UN enamel pin. These blazers symbolize their growth and leadership throughout their time with us. Each blazer costs approximately $120.

For many of these Youth Ambassadors, this trip represents the culmination of their journey with our program. These young women started with us between 2017-2019 and have since traveled to

Washington, D.C. for their first leadership trip. This visit to the United Nations will be their final trip before graduating high school this May, with many heading off to college or entering the workforce. It is a momentous occasion for them to reflect on the power of their voices—no matter the challenges they face—and to remember that they are the future of hope and healing for their communities.

We are seeking your support to ensure that we can cover the costs for transportation, lodging, the Ambassador blazers, and other associated expenses. Your generous contribution will allow us to

meet our funding goal and provide these exceptional young leaders with the experience of a lifetime.

Dignitary | HIR Wellness: www.hirwellness.org/dignitary