Since 2014, we have empowered our community through advocacy and education.

History

Founded in 2014, Honor the Treaty of 1864 emerged from the grassroots efforts of community members committed to defending the treaty rights and resources of the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin peoples. Recognizing the need for a stronger structural presence, we formalized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023, solidifying our commitment to advocacy and sustainable growth. Now, as we expand in 2024, we continue to build our organization with an unwavering focus on sovereignty and resilience.

Vision

Our vision is to empower our community through education, advocacy, and the unwavering defense of treaty rights. We are dedicated to restoring Indigenous stewardship over lands and resources and to re-establishing the leadership role of women within our cultural framework.

Our Decolonized, Community-Led Model

At Honor the Treaty of 1864, we operate with a decolonized model that challenges traditional, hierarchical nonprofit structures. Rather than relying on rigid roles or top-down leadership, we center community voice, shared responsibility, and autonomy. Our approach reflects Indigenous values of collective stewardship, where each member is an active participant in safeguarding and advancing our mission.

Our leadership includes co-stewards, each dedicated to specific focus areas such as land rights and community engagement. Our teams, or “circles,” work collaboratively and independently, making decisions by consensus to ensure every voice is heard. This model promotes flexibility, allowing us to respond swiftly to community needs without compromising our values.

We prioritize trust, transparency, and community-driven action, moving beyond the constraints of traditional nonprofit frameworks. By empowering everyone to contribute their strengths, we create a resilient and adaptive organization rooted in solidarity, equity, and Indigenous sovereignty.

Our Funding Approach

Since 2014, we’ve operated independently, building from the ground up with community support. In 2023, we secured our 501(c)(3) status to access essential resources while remaining uncompromising in our values. We rigorously vet our funding sources, ensuring they align with our commitment to Indigenous sovereignty. We refuse support from funders tied to the exploitation or genocide of Indigenous communities, lands, or treaty rights. Transparency and ethical integrity guide every dollar we accept, fueling our work to honor and defend our people and lands.

Disclaimer: Honor the Treaty of 1864 operates as an independent entity. Our initiatives, actions, and perspectives are solely our own and do not represent official positions or endorsements by the Klamath Tribes government.