Writing for Indigenous Empowerment

First Peoples Fund welcomes D.A. Navoti (Hopi, Zuni, O’otham, Yavapai-Apache), a multidisciplinary writer and member of the Gila River Indian Community.

Navoti’s writing explores what it means to be Indigenous in the 21st century. “I’m thrilled to join First Peoples Fund as the eSpirit Writer,” says Navoti. “I’m learning so much from everyone’s stories and artwork.”

Navoti spearheads the eSpirit Newsletter, a monthly e-publication curated by First Peoples Fund. “What’s so unique about my role is I get to interview so many artists and hear their stories of hardship and triumph,” says Navoti.

Navoti earned graduate degrees from Northern Arizona University and Arizona State. “I’m naturally a curious person, perhaps even nosey,” jokes Navoti. “And I enjoy writing about topics that interest me, like Native empowerment.” Navoti is recipient of the Radical Imagination grant from NDN Collective, and he curates several literary series in the Seattle area, including We the Indigenous, which celebrates Indigenous writers and artists.

“What recharges my creative batteries is rolling up my sleeves and working with and for the community,”

“What recharges my creative batteries is rolling up my sleeves and working with and for the community,” advocates Navoti.

In addition to writing, Navoti is a business communications instructor at Seattle Colleges. “My goal is to bring my professional knowledge and leadership to First Peoples Fund,” says Navoti. “But I know the fellows and staff are going to teach me plenty!”