| By Trista Vaughn, citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma and a descendant of the Hualapai and Chickasaw Nations and Communications Associate. One of the Association’s newest supporters, Dr. David Cummins, is a psychologist and long-time Idaho resident whose personal journey led him to rethink privilege, accountability, and what it means to stand with Native Nations. His story offers a window into the kind of allyship the Association on American Indian Affairs hopes to inspire: grounded in accountability, shaped by relationships, and committed to strengthening Native sovereignty, self-determination, and healing. He didn’t set out to “support a cause.” His shift began the moment he recognized that the world rewarded him for things he didn’t earn, and that this privilege came with responsibility. That realization, shaped by years of friendships with Native clinicians, time spent at Standing Rock, and witnessing global inequities firsthand, pushed him toward a different kind of relationship with Native Peoples rooted in listening, recognition, and long-term commitment. |  |
Dr. Cummins’ Native allyship began with the people he cared about. Although Boise is not a culturally diverse city, two Native mental health clinicians, Cedric and Mike, became important colleagues and teachers in his life. Through their friendship and cultural knowledge, he was invited into certain ceremonies and cultural practices that he described as grounding, healing, and deeply meaningful. Being invited into these cultural practices helped him understand how ceremony supports wellness and identity for Native Peoples, even as they continue healing from generations of imposed policies and displacement. That connection made the realities of intergenerational trauma and ongoing harm far more tangible to him.
These experiences became the foundation for why he chose to support the Association as a Native-led organization and why he believes Native sovereignty matters. A trip to Nepal first opened his eyes to what responsibility should look like. Witnessing extreme poverty and global inequity reshaped how he viewed privilege and circumstance. He reflected on his own position as a white male working within systems that reward race and gender, often without anyone recognizing it. This awareness deepened his belief that responsibility requires action, not just acknowledgment.
His understanding deepened further in 2016, when he traveled to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during the movement to protect water and sovereignty. He spent a week bringing supplies and standing alongside the water protectors. It was an act of solidarity and an acknowledgment of what Native Nations continue to face.
Native Peoples have been protecting their diverse cultures, land, and water since time immemorial, and their leadership and wisdom benefits everyone. For Dr. Cummins, standing with Native Nations means understanding that we are all connected and related, and that when Native Peoples defend their homelands, they are also protecting the wellbeing of the planet and the future for all of us. As he began giving more of his time and income to causes that aligned with his values, he focused on supporting Native Peoples on Turtle Island, who he believes have experienced some of the deepest impacts of historical and ongoing injustice.
When he decided to donate to a Native-led organization, Dr. Cummins turned to Google, which led him to the Association on American Indian Affairs. He researched the Association carefully, looking at financial responsibility, programs of work, and its history as the oldest Native-led national nonprofit in the country. What stood out to him was the Association’s direct work with Native Nations and its focus on protecting Native children, families, and Nations. He also appreciated that resources go directly to Native-led programs aligned with his values to defend sovereignty, protect cultural heritage, strengthen Native families, and advance truth and healing.
Dr. Cummins emphasized that Native Nations know what their citizens need and that those closest to the issues should lead the work. “I trust the Association a lot more than I trust my own insight,” he shared. “My role is to support what Native Peoples are already leading. You know the people and the situations on a whole different level.” His approach is a powerful example of allyship grounded in responsibility rather than rhetoric. It reflects a commitment to repairing harm and uplifting Native Nation sovereignty in meaningful ways.
The Association extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Cummins for his generosity, honesty, and commitment to supporting Native Nation-led work. His recent contribution supports the Association’s mission to protect sovereignty, preserve culture, educate youth, and build capacity for Native Nations and their citizens.
Dr. Cummins’ example shows how meaningful allyship can take shape. Supporting Native-led organizations strengthens sovereignty and fuels lasting change. Anyone can stand alongside Native Nations as they protect our shared lands, diverse cultures, and collective futures. Philanthropic foundations have contributed only 0.4% of their total giving to Native Country, and even less to Native-led organizations like the Association. When we leverage our shared commitment for stronger communities, healthy ecosystems, and collective human rights, we can foster intergenerational healing and support the next generations.
These experiences became the foundation for why he chose to support the Association as a Native-led organization and why he believes Native sovereignty matters. A trip to Nepal first opened his eyes to what responsibility should look like. Witnessing extreme poverty and global inequity reshaped how he viewed privilege and circumstance. He reflected on his own position as a white male working within systems that reward race and gender, often without anyone recognizing it. This awareness deepened his belief that responsibility requires action, not just acknowledgment.
His understanding deepened further in 2016, when he traveled to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during the movement to protect water and sovereignty. He spent a week bringing supplies and standing alongside the water protectors. It was an act of solidarity and an acknowledgment of what Native Nations continue to face.
Native Peoples have been protecting their diverse cultures, land, and water since time immemorial, and their leadership and wisdom benefits everyone. For Dr. Cummins, standing with Native Nations means understanding that we are all connected and related, and that when Native Peoples defend their homelands, they are also protecting the wellbeing of the planet and the future for all of us. As he began giving more of his time and income to causes that aligned with his values, he focused on supporting Native Peoples on Turtle Island, who he believes have experienced some of the deepest impacts of historical and ongoing injustice.
When he decided to donate to a Native-led organization, Dr. Cummins turned to Google, which led him to the Association on American Indian Affairs. He researched the Association carefully, looking at financial responsibility, programs of work, and its history as the oldest Native-led national nonprofit in the country. What stood out to him was the Association’s direct work with Native Nations and its focus on protecting Native children, families, and Nations. He also appreciated that resources go directly to Native-led programs aligned with his values to defend sovereignty, protect cultural heritage, strengthen Native families, and advance truth and healing.
Dr. Cummins emphasized that Native Nations know what their citizens need and that those closest to the issues should lead the work. “I trust the Association a lot more than I trust my own insight,” he shared. “My role is to support what Native Peoples are already leading. You know the people and the situations on a whole different level.” His approach is a powerful example of allyship grounded in responsibility rather than rhetoric. It reflects a commitment to repairing harm and uplifting Native Nation sovereignty in meaningful ways.
The Association extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Cummins for his generosity, honesty, and commitment to supporting Native Nation-led work. His recent contribution supports the Association’s mission to protect sovereignty, preserve culture, educate youth, and build capacity for Native Nations and their citizens.
Dr. Cummins’ example shows how meaningful allyship can take shape. Supporting Native-led organizations strengthens sovereignty and fuels lasting change. Anyone can stand alongside Native Nations as they protect our shared lands, diverse cultures, and collective futures. Philanthropic foundations have contributed only 0.4% of their total giving to Native Country, and even less to Native-led organizations like the Association. When we leverage our shared commitment for stronger communities, healthy ecosystems, and collective human rights, we can foster intergenerational healing and support the next generations.
