Indigenous Allyship Needs Assessment Survey

A small group of us recently came together to explore potential programs that the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) could offer in the coming months/years to expand how land trusts can support Indigenous communities across what is now called Massachusetts. Before proceeding, we would like to hear directly from representatives of land conservation nonprofits about their interests and needs in becoming better allies to Indigenous communities. We would be grateful if you could complete this 12-question survey by June 1st, 2025. It should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

Note that the survey is intended for those who are affiliated with a conservation non-profit as staff members, paid contractors, board members, or other volunteers.

Some Massachusetts land trusts have already been and are committed to continue engaging in conversation with Indigenous community members, Tribal governments, and Indigenous-led nonprofits to gather information about their wants, needs, issues, concerns and priorities. What we learn from them will also inform any programs on which we move forward.

We encourage multiple representatives of your organization to complete this survey, as we are interested in as many perspectives as possible. When you are asked to characterize the interests or activity of your organization, we are looking for your individual perspective and realize you may not be speaking for everyone at the organization. This survey does not require that you self-identify or identify the name of your organization.

Thanks in advance for your input! If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Robb Johnson at robb@massland.org.

Sincerely,

Robb Johnson (Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, Executive Director)
Diana Ruiz (Native Land Conservancy, Executive Director; MLTC Board Member)
Jenn Albertine (Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Climate and Land Justice Director)
Beth Mills (Alliance for a Viable Future)
Vanessa Johnson-Hall (Essex County Greenbelt, Director of Land Conservation)
Gaby Immerman (Hilltown Land Trust, Board Member)
Emily Johnson (Harvard Forest, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator)
Julia Fitzpatrick (Essex County Greenbelt, Land Conservation Specialist)

* indicates a required field
1.Optional: Name of the organization you are affiliated with
2.Does your organization have paid staff?(Required.)
3.What is your role with this organization?(Required.)
4.Are you aware of current Indigenous communities, including individuals living in urban areas, in your organization’s service area?(Required.)
5.How would you describe where each of the following is today in terms of building relationships with Indigenous people and/or entities? Select an answer for each heading from the dropdown beneath it.(Required.)
Me as an individual
Our staff as a whole
Our Board as a whole
Click boxes to see choices
6.Which, if any, of the following activities has your organization already engaged in? (check all that apply)(Required.)
7.There are a variety of important ways to engage Indigenous communities. If you have engaged with Indigenous community members, in which of the following ways have you engaged? (check all that apply)(Required.)
8.What challenges might your organization face if you were seeking to engage more deeply with Indigenous communities? (check all that apply)(Required.)
9.Please share your level of interest in each of the following potential offerings that we might provide, or topics we might address:(Required.)
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Not interested
Education on Indigenous history and culture
Education on the intersection of Indigenous people and land conservation
Information on who the Indigenous community members and entities are in my region
Information on the interests and needs of the Indigenous community in relation to the land trust community
Information on the range of ways that land trusts can engage with Indigenous communities to address land justice and equity
Ideas for how to build internal consensus within my organization on whether and how to engage in these issues
Ideas on how to communicate about these issues with members or supporters
A webpage with curated content for self-guided learning
A structured learning cohort with peers (time commitment of 10-15 hours)
A more in-depth structured learning cohort with peers (time commitment of 20+ hours)
Periodic peer-to-peer networking to share ideas and strategies
10.If you are in relationship with Indigenous community members, we would welcome your perspective on what you have learned from them about their wants, needs, issues, concerns, and priorities regarding potential engagement with land trusts.
11.Additional comments, if any
12.Optional: Your name
13.Optional: If you are interested in getting more involved with the group of us that is working to build Massachusetts land trusts’ capacity for Indigenous Allyship, please fill out this separate, three-question expression of interest. (Responses to that separate questionnaire will not be linked to your answers to the questions above.)

Thank you for your input!
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