JR Lilly is seemingly one of the most connected people in East Portland!
“JR Lilly, Diné (Navajo) Nation. As part of a new generation that straddles a cultural chasm, he leads efforts to further the conversation around defining the role of our generation for both Native and Non-Native communities. Born and raised amongst a rich culture of generosity, he learned the beauty of resilience that survived centuries of colonialism. As a storyteller, cultural consultant, and community advocate, JR regularly shares from the Indigenous perspectives about spirituality, community engagement, and justice.
Always eager to seek new possibilities, JR strives to be innovative, venturesome, decisive, trusting, and optimistic through his service on nonprofit boards, governing agencies, and community groups. His work culminates into a strategic approach to include Indigenous perspective and understanding in all areas of decision making. He enjoys talking through tough problems, helping to identify the best solution, and using his skills to help cultivate a preferred future where our communities thrive together.”
In this conversation, JR sets the tone by framing his identity by introducing himself from an indigenous worldview and how that framework of collectivism differs from individualism. He grew up in extreme poverty on the Navajo Reservation and wanted a way out of poverty. He studied business administration at Lee University in Tennessee. JR shares the many ways he’s sought healing from trauma and encourages others to seek healing.
JR came across the book One Church, Many Tribes by Richard Twiss, which was also an influential book for my faith when I read it (and later Rescuing The Gospel From The Cowboys: A Native American Expression Of The Jesus Way). JR worked with Twiss which brought him to the Northwest and was impacted by Twiss’s focus on being a good neighbor and being present in his community at the expense of his worldwide influence and income.Because of JR’s humble desire to serve others coupled with his business background and experience with non-profit law, budgets, and fundraising at NAYA, he is often invited to be on non-profit boards. He currently serves on eight (8!) boards:
Portland Parks Foundation
Urban Forestry Commission
Historic Parkrose
Our Just Future (formerly Human Solutions)
National Christian Community Development Association
Redtail Woodworks
Mending Wings (Yakima)
Peace Center Academy (Hopi)
in addition to committee work with:
East Portland Action Plan, economic subcommittee cochair
Thrive East PDX
East Portland Tax Increment Finance Exploration Committee
East Portland Parks Coalition
These are all volunteer positions on top of his job as Director of the Office of Community Involvement for Multnomah County.
JR recently worked with the Trail Blazers for Native American Heritage Month.
He talks about being guided by a higher power and his journey of healing that led him to measure his impact differently as he matured. We go deeper from there and circle back to JR’s work in Parkrose, so if you’ve read this far without listening, give the podcast a listen and let me know what you think, or get in touch with JR!
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