First Nations Development Institute

First Nations is happy to announce the six tribal and Native-led entities selected to receive support through the Stewarding Native Lands’ Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions project. Thanks to generous funding from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and First Nations’ Tribal Lands Conservation Fund, $1.2 million was invested to build adaptive capacity and disaster preparation in grantee communities through traditional knowledge and stewardship. Over 22 months, these community partners will receive tailored technical assistance to strengthen localized climate solutions, build capacity for climate-focused work, implement community monitoring, and participate in peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Learn more about the projects that will restore ecosystems and support human well-being and local biodiversity: https://bit.ly/3Umhrh2

First Nations community partner Atux Forever is urging the Japanese government to act on the repatriation and restitution for the Attuan community, seeking measures to address historical injustices and ongoing impact from World War II. This summer, Japanese officials and two associations surveyed Atux in Alaska to recover their World War II soldiers’ remains, without involving the perspectives or input of the Indigenous Attuans. Atux Forever underscores the imperative of confronting historical wrongs with transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to truth and reconciliation. Read more: https://bit.ly/40Yg1gd

In continued recognition of #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we’re honored to spotlight another of our Native Arts community partners: Hopitutuqaiki (Hopi School Inc.). Based in Kykotsmovi, Arizona, this year-round arts magnet school uses Hopi’s strengths in the arts as the center of the curriculum. In this video, Hopi School Facilitator Donna Humetewa Kaye (Hopi) explains what “cultural treasures” means to her, and how Native art is at the core of her work. Read on about how Hopi culture, language, and values offer a natural learning environment where students have a unique opportunity to mature and thrive: https://bit.ly/48ZNZTn

Native people are nourished by the plants and animals that live in the forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra, and waters that connect them. Our cultural traditions and stewardship practices have supported our survival since the time of creation. This week, First Nations' Brett Treadway (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) shares his reflections on returning home, preserving cultural practices, and why stewarding Native lands is so important. Read his story: https://bit.ly/3Zh4I17 Support this vital work through First Nations’ Bring Back the Native campaign. Your gift will help restore ecosystems and protect cultural lifeways—and every dollar will be matched up to $200,000. Donate to double your impact: https://lnkd.in/gbqNe6N5

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent screening of GATHER at the Guild Cinema in Albuquerque, New Mexico! We're so proud to continue to raise awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the Native American food movement with this important film. Pictured: First Nations’ Jackie Francke (Navajo) (left) and JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) (second from right) pose with Twila Cassadore and film director Sanjay Rawal. Twila is featured in GATHER for her work in restoring the traditional foods of the Apache people. ?? Learn more about GATHER and how to stream it: https://bit.ly/4cSQ2dE ?? Stay up to date with the rest of our Native American Heritage Month events through November and December: https://bit.ly/NAHM24

Join us for our next virtual event to honor #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth on Tuesday, November 26! In Webinar 2: History and Language Revitalization, First Nations’ JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) will have a conversation with Trisha Moquino (Pueblo Villages of Cochiti, Ohkay Owhingeh, and Kewa), founder of the Keres Children’s Learning Center in Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. Trisha will share the history of Pueblo languages and how KCLC navigates the challenges surrounding the loss of language and its revitalization. ?? Register: https://bit.ly/49cLz45

As we continue to honor #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we're excited to highlight Tananáwit: A Community of Warm Springs Artists. This community-based nonprofit supports Native artists from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs through educational and economic development opportunities. "Our artists are at the heart of our organization," says Executive Director Deb Stacona (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs). Tananáwit provides workspaces and supplies, and hosts art shows as well as cultural classes for adults and youth to foster the sharing of intergenerational knowledge. Learn more about how funding from First Nations is supporting multigenerational pottery, moccasin-making, beadwork, drum-making, and weaving classes, and more for this Oregon-based organization: https://bit.ly/4eq5QE4

First Nations’ Vice President of Development JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) participated in a new film exploring the impact of trust-based philanthropy. In it, she says, “Trust-based philanthropy – I believe we’ve always had it in our communities. We’ve always believed in one another to do good work and support each other.” She also talks about the need for multi-year funding to ensure projects can continue and be sustained for maximum impact. “You do this work from your heart and when you do it from your heart, then it expands and extends to everybody you work with,” she says. Watch the full video: https://bit.ly/3AKSFjh

Today, we have officially kicked off our #BringBackTheNative campaign in support of our Tribal Lands Conservation Fund. Give now to join us in investing in Native communities and their work to protect biodiversity and steward Native species. Even better: through the end of 2024, your gift will be DOUBLED. This means your gift of $25 will become $50, $35 will become $70, and $75 will become $150 to protect our land and water and all living things. ?? Take action today to support grassroots efforts to safeguard lands, waters, and ecosystems for future generations: https://lnkd.in/gbqNe6N5

LAST CHANCE: Today, November 12, is the final day to register for our upcoming conference! Tribal and federal employees and representatives are invited to “Shared Horizons: Navigating Tribal Co-Stewardship and Co-Management Opportunities Conference.” Join us at this national co-learning event for trainings, space for sharing ideas and work, and networking opportunities to grow the field of tribal co-stewardship and co-management. ?? Register tonight: https://bit.ly/47WZxX6