Tai Simpson

Tai Simpson is a citizen of the Nimiipuu Nation and a direct descendant of Chief Redheart of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. Known as The Storyteller, a name rooted in the Indigenous language of the Nimiipuu, Simpson has worked as an antiracism activist, community organizer, and advocate for social justice. Her work integrates traditional Indigenous storytelling with contemporary political frameworks to promote inclusion, equity, and liberation.

Simpson began her activism while studying sociology, political philosophy, and public law at Boise State University, where she served as vice president and president of the Intertribal Native Council student organization. She is the founder and director of Indigenous Idaho Alliance, an organization that has served as a vehicle for legislative and community change. Under Simpson's leadership, the Alliance drafted proclamations for Indigenous Peoples Day for the State of Idaho and the city of Boise, and contributed to the passage of a concurrent resolution acknowledging Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day in the Idaho legislature. The Alliance has also participated in litigation to protect the rights of minors seeking abortion in Idaho, reflecting Simpson's commitment to human rights. She has served as co-stewarding director with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, focusing on violence prevention and response within Idaho's tribal communities.

Simpson has delivered TED talks, including a TEDxBoise talk titled "Indigenous Storytelling as a Political Lens," and a mainstage TED talk, "The Intergenerational Wisdom Woven into Indigenous Stories." In these talks, she discusses the importance of Indigenous storytelling, civic engagement, and intergenerational knowledge. Her speeches have reached audiences through platforms such as Boise State Public Radio and the National Sexual Assault Conference.

Simpson's advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) has been a central focus of her career. As a Black and Indigenous woman, she has built coalitions with local, state, and federal partners to address violence in Indian Country. She was elected board chairwoman of the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center and has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood and the Potlatch Fund. Simpson has also been recognized as a Cultural Capital Fellow by First Peoples Fund.

At the core of Simpson's work is the belief that storytelling is both a spiritual practice and a political act. She emphasizes the "old ways"—the principles on which Indigenous communities have built their social and political narratives—as essential tools for protecting the sacred, building community strength, and maintaining balance with nature. Through organizing summits, drafting legislation, and speaking on national and global stages, Simpson demonstrates the transformative power of storytelling in advancing healing and justice.