Criteria for Membership in the Descendants Forum

The Descendants Forum is a congress of organizations grounded in descendant knowledge, leadership, and accountability. Membership is open to organizations that demonstrate a clear, sustained commitment to descendant communities and descendant-led governance.

To join the Descendants Forum, an organization must meet one of the two leadership pathways outlined below and satisfy the shared commitments that follow.

I. Leadership Pathways (Required: One)

An organization must qualify under either Pathway A or Pathway B.

Pathway A: Descendant-Led Organizations

The organization is entirely descendant led, meaning:

  • Descendants hold a majority of leadership positions (e.g., executive leadership, board of directors, or governing council).

  • Descendants exercise meaningful decision-making authority over strategy, priorities, resources, and public representation.

  • Descendant leadership is not symbolic, advisory-only, or informal.

Pathway B: Structural Parity with Descendant Communities

Organizations that are not entirely descendant led may qualify if they demonstrate a formal, implemented commitment to structural parity, meaning:

  • Descendant communities hold equal or proportional power within the organization’s governance structure.

  • This parity is codified in bylaws, MOUs, operating agreements, or other binding governance documents.

  • Descendant representatives have real authority over decisions that affect descendant histories, data, narratives, resources, and outcomes.

  • The organization can demonstrate that this structure is actively practiced, not merely aspirational.

II. Shared Commitments (Required for All Members)

All member organizations, regardless of pathway, must demonstrate the following commitments:

  1. Descendant Accountability

    A clear mechanism for accountability to descendant communities, including processes for consultation, consent, feedback, and redress.

  2. Ethical Stewardship of History, Data, and Memory

    Responsible practices regarding historical research, archives, data, and storytelling, with respect for descendant sovereignty, privacy, and interpretive authority.

  3. Transparency in Governance and Decision-Making

    Openness about leadership structures, funding sources, partnerships, and decision-making processes, particularly where descendant interests are involved.

  4. Non-Extractive Engagement

    A demonstrated rejection of extractive practices—financial, intellectual, cultural, or symbolic—that benefit institutions without reciprocal benefit to descendant communities.

  5. Alignment with the Forum’s Purpose

    Commitment to the Descendants Forum as a space for collective deliberation, mutual support, shared strategy, and coordinated action among descendant organizations.