Vanguard Legacy Awardee: Anathea Chino
Co-founder & Executive Director, Advance Native Political Leadership
Years in role: 4
Where: National
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am a visionary dreamer and fervent believer in the power of change. Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with other transformational leaders, co-conspiring, and learning alongside them. Through these partnerships, I have co-founded a number of statewide and national organizations. Together, we have co-founded numerous statewide and national organizations. Among these, I am most proud of co-founding Advance Native Political Leadership in 2016. This is the first and only national Native-led organization dedicated to creating a comprehensive ecosystem for political power building in Native communities. Alongside Chrissie Castro (Diné and Chicana), Kevin Killer (Oglala Sioux), and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (White Earth Band of Ojibwe), we have grown Advance into a thriving team of 13 full-time employees and one Scholar-in-residence fellow.
Our work at Advance is driven by a healing justice lens, focusing on both internal and external impacts. We operate under the Native Leadership Institute and Native PowerBase, offering programs that include leadership recruitment, training, ongoing support, civic engagement, data and research, and state and national coordination.
Our methodology is grounded in a cycle of dreaming, testing, evaluation, and repetition. We prioritize debriefing, listening, reflecting, and celebrating our programs and research. Our dedicated team ensures that our work centers on the community’s needs, our relationships, societal shifts, and creating models to share our learnings.
A testament to our adaptive approach is the evolution of our Native Leadership Institute (NLI) training programs. Launched in 2022, our initial ten-day virtual training was detailed and expansive but ultimately unsustainable for participants, staff, and trainers. Responding to feedback, we transitioned to in-person trainings in 2023, incorporating insights from top trainers and tailoring our curriculum to meet the cultural and logistical needs of states with significant Indigenous populations. This led to successful partnerships and tailored trainings in New Mexico, California, and Alaska, each spanning four days, including weekends, with all expenses covered. Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, in 2024, we now include a licensed therapist to lead wellness practices, addressing historical and current trauma and promoting mental health. We believe that healthy elected leaders who care for themselves and their communities are essential.
Leading a team of brilliant leaders who understand that building political power is rooted in justice, community care, and love is a source of immense pride for me.
What myths would you like to break in your organization’s work?
Over 500 years of disenfranchisement, forced assimilation, racism, and genocide have contributed to the near elimination of Indigenous peoples in the United States. A pervasive myth suggests that Native leaders should only focus on leading Native-majority communities. This harmful belief not only underestimates the capabilities of Native leaders but also perpetuates the misconception that they are incapable of leading diverse communities.
In reality, Native leaders in elected office across the country are enacting policies that benefit the health and well-being of all communities, not just their own. This myth leads to the denial of resources and access that Native leaders need to step into positions of power. By perpetuating such beliefs, we limit the potential for Indigenous leaders to contribute their unique perspectives and solutions to broader societal issues.
At Advance Native Political Leadership, we are breaking this myth by providing comprehensive leadership training programs that empower Native leaders to envision and create a truly reflective democracy. Graduates of our program become part of a supportive community of Indigenous leaders who receive targeted workshops, mentorship from current and former Native elected officials, and access to vital resources and learning opportunities. Our alumni consistently share that our program gives them the confidence and skills needed to advance their leadership journeys while staying true to their Indigenous identities.
We are incredibly proud that nine of our alumni currently hold appointed or elected office, and another seven are running for office in 2024. For too long, Native people have been excluded from conversations that concern our communities and our sovereignty. Our alumni are reclaiming their rightful seats at decision-making tables, introducing policies that benefit all communities, and transforming our democracy to truly reflect the diversity of this country. By breaking these myths, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
What does it take to build power?
Building power is about cultivating a long-term and sustained commitment to investment in our communities, our resources, our environment, and our strategies. It requires a profound belief in the interconnectedness and interdependence of our entire ecosystem, acknowledging that true power emerges from the relationships and networks we nurture. This involves fostering a spirit of collaboration, mutual support, healing, and a collective vision among leaders whose decisions impact our lives. Hope is a vital component in this process; it is the driving force that sustains our perseverance and resilience, allowing us to envision, celebrate, and work toward a future where we all thrive despite the obstacles we face.
What is your why?
At the start of my political career almost 20 years ago, I was struck by the lack of Native leaders involved in crucial decision-making. While canvassing in Native communities in New Mexico, I often heard community members express feelings of neglect until just before elections, frustration at the absence of candidates who resembled them, and disappointment that their voices weren’t being heard. The recurring question was, “Why should I bother to vote?”
For centuries, Native Americans have faced coercion, exploitation, and marginalization, making it understandable that many feel distrustful of government and elected officials. However, not participating in elections means forfeiting our power to shape our future. We must choose to be involved rather than remain overlooked.
I co-founded Advance Native Political Leadership to create a powerful national organization that centers Indigenous values, leadership, and communities across the country. We envision a future where Native people can effectively safeguard our sovereignty, culture, languages, and lands. This future will recognize our history, contributions, and values in our country’s leadership and ensure Native people have fair access to resources, education, and voter outreach.
My drive comes from being grounded in my Indigenous culture, my queer identity, my love for our people, and my deep connection to our lands. Our creation story begins with our emergence from the earth, and I believe that the cells in my body remember liberation and freedom. This deep consciousness allows me to honor the joy of my ancestors through the trauma of colonization. This moment in time is temporary, and it’s crucial to carry our responsibility with care and intention toward equity for all. One day, we will be the ancestors, and this responsibility guides me as I lead Advance Native Political Leadership.
Learn more!
Learn more about Advance Native Political Leadership and their critical work.
