Better Way Foundation

The Tohono O’odham Nation has signed a co-stewardship agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to protect federal lands with deep cultural and religious ties. This collaboration focuses on the Baboquivari and Coyote Mountains, allowing the tribe to play an active role in conservation and management efforts. “This agreement will ensure that the Nation has a voice and an active role in protecting these ancestral lands that are so important to our people,” said Chairman Verlon Jose. https://lnkd.in/gAfTsYSi

A Washington Post investigation uncovered over 3,100 Native American student deaths at U.S. boarding schools—three times the previously reported number. In Minnesota, 76 deaths were found, underscoring the tragic legacy of these institutions. As a foundation investing in Indian Country, we recognize the lasting harm of Native catholic boarding schools and are committed to partnering with Indigenous leaders and organizations whose efforts acknowledge this painful history and create educational environments that honor Native students, families, and cultures. https://lnkd.in/gw3fN4Fc

Dannah Nephew, an Ojibwe from the White Earth Nation and a third-year medical student at the University of Minnesota, is creating beautiful ribbon skirts for incoming Native American medical students. Funded by the John Song Student Awards, her project aims to help students reconnect with their cultural identity and feel welcomed in the medical field. These traditional skirts symbolize resilience and community, offering a meaningful start to their medical journey. https://lnkd.in/gHcXJ3mg

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are discussing the reintroduction of elk to northeastern Minnesota. This project, over a decade in the making, aims to restore elk populations to the Fond du Lac Reservation and surrounding areas. The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between state and tribal entities to ensure the successful reintroduction and management of the elk herd. https://lnkd.in/gRrfv4BK

We're excited to announce our inaugural newsletter edition, celebrating the incredible leadership and partnerships driving transformative change in Indigenous early childhood development. Subscribe to our newsletter and join us on this journey as we share more updates in the months ahead!?

Thank you for sharing, Skya Ducheneaux!

Keres Children's Learning Center is hiring a Director of Indigenous Montessori Institute. This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of $80K. The work is performed primarily at KCLC's offices in Cochiti Pueblo, N.M. Check it out and share with your networks!

Thanksgiving holds different meanings for everyone. For many Native communities, this day is referred to as National Day of Mourning, and is a time to honor their history, cultures, and perseverance in the face of generational harm. Today, we are reflecting on the history and meaning of Thanksgiving—not just the traditions many of us know, but also the truths about the land we gather on and the resilience of Indigenous Peoples. As a foundation striving to be a good ally to our Native partners, we are committed to listening and learning and invite you to join us in seeking out and amplifying Indigenous perspectives. Check out this article from First Nations Development Institute for more information: https://lnkd.in/gtEhRD7H

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Hearts Gathered is on track with big steps forward in language immersion and early childhood education. Its provided well-deserved cost-of-living raises and retirement benefits for staff, ensuring team members are supported in their mission. It has also acquired new supplies, which greatly enhanced their Childcare, Primary, and Infant classrooms, setting a strong foundation for learning. A special highlight? Hearts Gathered is collaborating with the council and community, bringing their immersion expertise to support the vision of Okanogan language revitalization. They’ve also engaged CAST architecture to develop blueprints for a new school and partnered with a videographer to produce 70+ language videos. Staff mentioned that seeing the youngest students in the Assistant to Infant classroom follow directions in Okanogan has been inspiring—a glimpse of what’s to come. We're honored to support Hearts Gathered's journey in culture, language, and early learning! Check out Hearts Gathered: https://lnkd.in/g-PtNGFb

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Over the last year, St. Joseph Mission School has thoughtfully deepened cultural learning around its Early Childhood Program. With guidance from local elders and knowledge holders, they’re bringing Native curriculum and Keres language resources to life for their PreK-3rd grade students, immersing them in Acoma and Laguna traditions. By creating a shared classroom space, focusing on cultural classroom design, and involving dedicated staff, our partner continues to enrich early learning for students. We’re so proud to support St. Joseph on this journey! Explore more about St. Joseph Mission School here: https://lnkd.in/gaWBxTCc