About the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC)

The Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative (CAICC) is a coalition of 15 organizations and programs that are dedicated to furthering diverse causes and the greater well-being of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and First Nations people in the Chicago area. CAICC convenes organizational leaders and members of the Chicago American Indian community for dialogue, advocacy, and strategic planning to better address the critical issues and needs of the Native American community.

Youth Organizer Fellow

Are you passionate about making a difference for your community? CAICC is seeking a motivated Youth Organizer Fellow to play a key role in amplifying the Native American voice at the state level.

Over the course of a six-week, paid experience, you will work directly with CAICC to mobilize the Chicagoland Native community and help execute the 2026 Native American Summit in Springfield, IL. You will gain hands-on experience in community organizing, event coordination, and legislative advocacy, all while connecting with a network of Native leaders and organizations.

Fellowship Overview

Duration: 6 weeks (March 17 – April 28, 2026)
Commitment: Up to 10 hours per week (flexible schedule)
Stipend: $2,000 total, paid in two installments.

Key Responsibilities

As our Youth Organizer Fellow, you will be an essential part of the team leading up to the Summit. Your work with include:

• Community Outreach & Recruitment: Helping to identify and recruit summit participants from the Chicagoland Native community.
• Organizing & Logistics: Support the planning and coordination of pre-Summit orientation sessions for attendees.
• Communications: Assisting with outreach materials, social media, and other communications to keep our community informed and engaged.
• Summit Participation: Attending and representing the community at the Native American Summit in Springfield on April 28, 2026, providing day-of support and documenting the event from your perspective.

Important Dates

February 25: Application Opens
March 11: Application Closes
March 13: Fellow Selected & Notified
Week of March 17: Orientation and Onboarding
March and April: Bi-weekly Planning Meetings and Check-ins
March 27: CAICC Community Recognition and Celebration
March 28: CAICC Urban Native Education Conference
Mid-End of April: Native American Summit Orientation Sessions
April 28: Native American Summit in Springfield, IL (Transportation and meals provided)

Eligibility

You are 18-35 years old as of the start of the program, March 17, 2026.
You are available to dedicate up to 10 hours per week from March 17- April 28, 2026, and to attend the Summit in Springfield, IL on April 28.
You have a genuine interest in civic engagement, community organizing, and advocating for Native issues.
You have strong communication skills, ability to work independently, and are comfortable with using basic technology (email, social media, Zoom).

Stipend

Fellow will receive a $1000 stipend after completing orientation and onboarding and another $1000 stipend after completion of the Native American Summit and post-Summit reflection. CAICC will provide round-trip transportation to Springfield and all meals during the Summit.

How to Apply

Please submit the following to caicc.facilitator@gmail.com by March 11, 2026:

1. Resume (PDF format).
2. Statement of Interest (PDF format, 1 page maximum). Tell us who you are, why you’re passionate about Native community advocacy, and what you hope to gain from this fellowship experience.