Tribal Democracy Project

05/20/2026

Those questioning why our organization supports and resources indigenous candidates here's one (of many) reasons. Our lived experiences as a candidate and a campaign manager led us here. ✊️

https://www.facebook.com/share/1P4WDGqPTQ/

This morning at separate moments my children asked:

“Mom, did we win?”

“I am nervous!” I ask “why?” “Because if you lose.”

When I first decided to run I had a conversation with my children about running and why it is important. They did not want me to run but over time through this experience they started to understand and be engaged. I keep going back to my son’s question, did WE win, not did YOU win but did WE win. They understand this is not about me or even about them but about having a voice and representation for them and their peers and their families. This was never about me, this was about all of us and ensuring equitable representation for the collective in our communities.

First and foremost I would like to thank my children for being my inspiration, encouraging me and learning through lived experience at such an early age. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me through the ups and downs of this campaign and life. Your support, your time and being my rock through it all, I am so grateful. It takes a village.

Thank you so much to the volunteers who stepped up and joined our efforts. We could not have made it this far without you! Your work, dedication and time is why we made such an impact on our community and stand proud!!! A huge shoutout to my campaign manager, Brian. I appreciate you so much for leading our efforts, keeping us focused and just being you!!!!! We are in this together and I am grateful for your work, time and believing in me all through zoom!

To the organizations, groups, leaders and other candidates who endorsed me and offered support in all the ways that you showed up for me. I appreciate it and look forward to our work moving forward. Your investment in our campaign has helped build a foundation for the future and you invested in helping build capacity. I am forever grateful.

Lastly, I would like to give a huge shout out and thank you to our community for showing up and voting in record numbers for this special district election. It mattered and we see you ❤️ Your support, your stories, your encouragement, and your vote means so much more than I can ever express. We may not have won this one but we have created a foundation, we are building capacity and have started a movement that will benefit us all in the future! Your voice and vote matters and regardless of the outcome your support means so much! You showed up!!!!!!

I told my daughter sometimes you have to lose to win and today we lost but we won. I am so proud of the campaign we ran. We raised the awareness of why voting is important, why equitable representation is necessary and how communication with the people you serve is extremely needed. We called attention to the gaps we feel, not just as candidates, but more importantly as parents and community members.

Congratulations to Raylene and Jillisa, so proud of you both for stepping up and taking on a leadership role, we support you 100%! To Lorien, I am so proud of you for leading by actions and advocating not only for your children but all the children in our district. You are all amazing women ❤️

This is not the end. We look forward to continuing our work and will continue showing up in all the spaces we are afforded and advocating not only on behalf of our own children but all children in our district. Remember it only takes one person to create change, just think what we can do with the voices who showed up and voted for us! Thank you for your support and inspiring a movement that will be felt generations down the road. Lots of love out to our community today.

In solidarity,
Jaylyn

05/20/2026

Amanda Page is opposed to any data centers in Deschutes County, period. While out-of-state grifters try to build a data center in La Pine, Amanda's opponents for Position 3 have tiptoed around the subject, showing why we need to take corporate influence out of our local politics.

For strong, decisive leadership grounded in the belief that Central Oregon should be a place that is safe, affordable, and sustainable for seven generations -- support Amanda Page for Position 3.

🗳️ Please remember to drop off your ballot at an official ballot drop box by TOMORROW, Tuesday May 19th at 8PM!

05/12/2026

Our Tribal Civics Engagement Learning community has been going for the last six weeks! We've reviewed our treaty, our constitution, our bylaws, discussed unwritten laws with an elder, learned about the McQuinn strip and talked about committees roles and responsibilities. As we start to wind down we are finishing off our last two sessions with Learning about the local, state and federal government systems.

We are opening up our class this Thursday only to the public to learn more specifically about the roles and responsibilities of the Jefferson County Commissioners and how they engage and interact with Tribal Nations and Tribal communities.

To register or to get more info please email [email protected].

05/12/2026

Jaylyn Suppah, one of our co-founders and co-directors attend the inaugural class of this program. We highly recommend any Indigenous/Native person who is thinking about running apply for this opportunity!

We need more representation ✊️

Ready to deepen your leadership impact? The NLI Lead Training is here.

The NLI Lead Training is a three-day program for rising Indigenous and values-aligned leaders who have demonstrated community involvement and are ready to take the next step. This training goes deeper, equipping participants with the skills and relationships needed to create meaningful change across communities and leadership pathways.

Here's what you'll walk away with:

→ Lead effective one-on-ones with confidence
→ Build relationships, listen actively, and make clear asks
→ Form coalitions across differences
→ Identify shared interests and build reciprocal partnerships
→ Use value-driven storytelling to support community change
→ Connect with peers and mentors
→ Build a foundation for continued leadership growth

📅 October 14–16, 2026
📚 3-day virtual training
💸 Free to participants

You don't need prior leadership experience, a formal title, or plans to run for office to apply. Please note: current elected officials or individuals who have formally declared or filed to run for office are not eligible for this program.

Want to learn more before you apply? Email [email protected] to join an upcoming informational session and explore which NLI training is the best fit for you.

Know someone who should step into leadership? Many leaders begin their journey because someone believed in them. Nominate a leader you believe in and help open the door to new possibilities.

Apply or nominate a leader: https://advancenativepl.org/native-leadership-institute/

When Native peoples lead, all communities thrive.

03/20/2026

Our first class for our first full cohort for the Tribal Civics Engagement Learning community kicked off tonight with deep questions and discussions. We have a couple seats open if you are interested please email me at [email protected].

Sharing a video we watched tonight as an opportunity for folks to learn about treaties and spark curiosity to learn more.

Who's land do you reside on?

What does their treaty say?

How do you honor the treaty?

The U.S. has ratified more than 370 treaties with American Indian nations. Yet many Americans know little about the these legally binding treaties, that shap...

02/26/2026

We are excited to announce an upcoming learning community opportunity for Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs citizens and descendants who are 16+. Seats are limited.

To learn more about this opportunity we will host an information session on March 5th at 7:30pm via zoom. Sign ups will open after the info session.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TFhTwcxhQYOE5syQGrUFww

11/14/2025

Thank you, Amanda Page, for drawing attention to this corruption. TDP will actively oppose any gerrymander in Deschutes County. Stay tuned to learn how you can help this effort.

05/13/2025

Warm Springs Community let's get our youth and parents to the forum to hear from school board candidates and their perspectives on various issues.

The more we are informed, engaged and aware, the more power in our ability to advocate for our children and their future.

04/09/2025

First session is tomorrow at 5pm-7pm at the Greeley Heights Community Building.

Are you interested in Oregon Native Day of Action in Salem on April 29th? Find our more information at:

https://www.nayaaction.org/events/ornativedays

Hope to see.you tomorrow evening!