Native American Guardian’s Association

What Native American Guardian’s Association does

The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Co-founded by Eunice Davidson, a full-blooded Dakota Sioux and enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, NAGA advocates for the preservation and respectful use of Native American names, symbols, and imagery in sports, education, and public life under the motto 'Educate, not eradicate.' The organization positions itself as the representative voice of a claimed 90%+ of Native Americans who support respectful Native American imagery, citing independent polling (Washington Post, Annenberg, Harris Research) showing 80-91% support.

NAGA's core offerings include a Partner School Program that certifies schools as 'Centers of Excellence' for American Indian remembrance and education, legislative support and lobbying services, public awareness campaigns, and educational resources addressing misconceptions about Native American imagery in sports. The organization provides direct advocacy, legal consultation, historical research, and media support to public schools defending Native-themed athletic identities against name-change pressure. It also maintains a Shared Heritage Alliance coalition membership program and a Square-based merchandise storefront.

The organization generates revenue through tax-deductible donations and membership fees (individual memberships at $60/year and group memberships at $100/year). NAGA claims a membership base of 100,000+ individuals, supported by an all-tribal-member leadership team that includes enrolled members of the Dakota Sioux, Hidatsa, Crow Creek Sioux, Three Affiliated Tribes, Navajo Nation, Tewa Pueblo, Abenaki, and other nations. Distribution is primarily grassroots: community organizing, social media engagement (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube), direct outreach to school boards, and volunteer recruitment. The organization has cultivated partnerships with professional sports franchises including the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Blackhawks, and minor league teams, often facilitating formal tribe-team collaboration agreements.

Name

Native American Guardian’s Association

Legal name

Native American Guardian's Association

Website

https://nagaeducation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NAGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that advocates for preserving Native American names and imagery in sports and education, providing legal, legislative, and community support to public schools and sports teams defending Native-themed identities. It is led by enrolled tribal members and funded via donations and memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Native American Cultural Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Indigenous/Tribal Education Authorities & Boards (EDADABAM)

Keywords

• Native American advocacy
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Indigenous rights advocacy
• Mascot preservation advocacy
• Nonprofit education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Devils Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Fees: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NAGA generates revenue primarily through tax-deductible donations from supporters and membership fees. Individual memberships are offered at $60 per year and group memberships at $100 per year, both including a membership certificate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Native American Guardian's Association (NAGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that defends the respectful use of Native American names, symbols, and traditions in sports, education, and public life. The organization provides direct advocacy support to schools facing pressure to change Native-themed identities, delivers educational resources and curriculum guidance, offers a Partner School certification program, engages in legislative support, and runs public awareness campaigns. NAGA also operates a membership program and a shared heritage alliance coalition to mobilize supporters.

Product overview

Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating as a single unified advocacy platform focused on preserving Native American identity in sports and education. The organization offers core advocacy services including a Partner School Program for schools with Native-themed identities seeking certification as 'Centers of Excellence,' legislative support services, public awareness campaigns, and misconception response resources. Additional offerings include a Shared Heritage Alliance membership program and a volunteer program. All services are oriented around the motto 'Educate, not eradicate' and aim to preserve respectful use of Native American names, symbols, and traditions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NAGA: Native American Guardians Association - primary organization name and brand

Products and services

• NAGA Core Advocacy Services Foundational advocacy services providing education, legislative support, and public awareness campaigns to preserve Native American names, symbols, and traditions in sports and public life. Used by schools, sports teams, and communities seeking to defend Native-themed identities.
• Partner School Program Certification program partnering with schools that use Native American themes, providing assessment, recommendations, ongoing consulting, defense support, and access to Native American curriculum and cultural education resources. Partner schools are certified as Centers of Excellence for American Indian remembrance and education.
• Legislative Support Services Advocacy services engaging state legislatures and Congress to mandate Native American history teaching in schools, pass resolutions supporting Native-themed public schools, and pursue changes to immigration and naturalization exam content.
• Shared Heritage Alliance Membership Coalition membership program uniting individuals and groups opposed to cancel culture, promoting mutual respect and preservation of diverse cultural histories. Individual memberships are available for $60/year and group memberships for $100/year, both including a membership certificate.
• Volunteer/Membership Program Volunteer program allowing both Native American and non-Native individuals to join NAGA, with membership options and opportunities to support the organization's mission of educating not eradicating Native American heritage.
• Public Awareness Campaign Media and social media campaigns educating the public about positive uses of Native American imagery in educational institutions and sports teams, promoting Native identity in mainstream America.
• Preservation Advocacy Services Services focused on preserving Native American identity, including lobbying for historical preservation, renaming initiatives, and fighting against legislative bans on Native-themed school identities.

Quantifiable outcome

• NAGA helped Neshaminy High School win a 3-year legal battle with the State Human Relations Commission, allowing the school to keep their Redskins name and implement Native American education programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Indianapolis Indians (Minor League Baseball)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023In 2023, NAGA was instrumental in bringing together the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team with the Miami Tribe of Indiana to form a partnership focused on educating fans about Native American heritage.
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians / Las Vegas RaiderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians entered into a partnership with Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Raiders NFL franchise.
• Seattle Seahawks / Muckleshoot TribeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, the Seattle Seahawks entered into a 10-year partnership with the Muckleshoot Tribe with a focus on education, elder health, and youth leadership development initiatives.
• NHL Seattle / Muckleshoot TribecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, the Muckleshoot Tribe entered into a partnership with NHL Seattle (Seattle Kraken).
• Strasburg Colorado Indians / Northern Arapahoe TribecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Strasburg, Colorado Indians partnered with the Northern Arapahoe Tribe, with a tribal member commenting that 'our young kids have lots to share with the kids of Strasburg.'
• El Reno Oklahoma Indians / Cheyenne Arapaho TribecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017The El Reno, Oklahoma Indians and the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribe formed an education-based partnership in 2017.
• Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians / Oregon SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Four school districts in Oregon with Native themed athletic teams came to an agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in 2017. The agreement includes tribal school involvement and curriculum development on the tribe's history and language.
• Kansas City ChiefsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The Kansas City Chiefs have hosted on-field honoring ceremonies with several regional tribes since 2014. NAGA supports the Chiefs as a team that embraces Native imagery with pride and respect.
• Spokane Indians (Minor League Baseball)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006In 2006, the Spokane Indians minor league baseball team and the Spokane Tribe of Indians made history by collaborating on a re-branding of the team's logo, becoming the first pairing of a team and tribe to respectfully agree on the use of local imagery. The Spokane Tribe Chairman stated they view this collaboration as a significant opportunity to educate thousands of baseball fans about the language and culture of the Spokane Tribe.
• Atlanta Braves / Eastern Band Cherokee NationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAGA supports the Atlanta Braves as a team that has partnered with the Eastern Band Cherokee Nation and embraces Native imagery with pride and respect.
• Chicago Blackhawks / Sac and Fox NationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAGA supports the Chicago Blackhawks as a team that has partnered with the Sac and Fox Nation and embraces Native imagery with pride and respect.
• NFL Teams (Various)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAGA supports professional teams including Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, Chicago Blackhawks, and others who embrace Native imagery with pride and respect. Many have or are pursuing tribal partnerships.
• Patriots Prayer Podcast NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA group member with approximately 130,000 members that supports NAGA's mission.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• First Peoples Fund: Native-led nonprofit supporting Indigenous arts, culture, and community wealth-building; comparable as a Native cultural heritage-focused 501(c)(3) with similar constituency and grassroots operating model.
• Center for Native American Youth: Native youth-focused advocacy organization within the Aspen Institute; comparable in advocacy mission for Native American representation and policy engagement on cultural identity issues.
• Illuminative: Native-led nonprofit working to increase representation of Native Americans in media and popular culture; comparable in nonprofit advocacy mission focused on Native representation, though from an opposing cultural perspective on imagery issues.
• Cultural Survival: Indigenous-led nonprofit advocating for Indigenous peoples' rights globally; comparable in advocacy mission, Indigenous-led governance, and education/awareness programming, though with international scope.

Broad incumbents

• Native American Rights Fund: National Indian legal defense organization providing legal advocacy for Native American rights; directly comparable in operating a 501(c)(3) advocacy/legal model serving Native American constituencies, though with a much larger institutional footprint.
• American Indian College Fund: Large 501(c)(3) supporting Native American higher education; comparable in Native-led nonprofit structure, public awareness campaigns, and education-focused advocacy, though operating at much larger scale.
• National Congress of American Indians: Oldest and largest American Indian advocacy organization; directly engages on Native imagery issues though from the opposing side (advocating for mascot retirement), making it the most comparable peer in scope and constituency even where positions differ.

Direct peers

• Association on American Indian Affairs: 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advocates for Native American cultural preservation, education, and rights; closely comparable in nonprofit advocacy mission, national scope, and constituency of tribal members and descendants.
• Partnership with Native Americans: 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on supporting Native American communities through advocacy, education, and direct service; comparable in nonprofit structure, fundraising model, and mission orientation toward Native American welfare.
• National Indian Education Association: Membership-based Native education advocacy organization that works on Native representation in K-12 and higher education; comparable in nonprofit advocacy structure, federal policy engagement, and education-focused mission, though with different policy positions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/naguardians
• Facebookfacebook.com/NAguardians
• Instagraminstagram.com/nativeguardians

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Native American Guardian’s Association