First Peoples Fund

?? We’re honored to celebrate Emily Johnson (Yup'ik Nation – Native Village of Napaimute), a 2025 Native Performing Arts (NPA) Grantee, for her transformative work in dance, storytelling, and community engagement. ?????? A Guggenheim Fellow, Bessie Award-winning choreographer, and Doris Duke Artist Award recipient, Emily creates large-scale performance gatherings that redefine movement, space, and connection to land. ??? ?? Rooted in justice, sovereignty, and well-being, Emily’s work integrates Indigenous storytelling, activism, and radical reworlding—bringing people together through performances that honor our histories and shape just futures. Based in Lenapehoking (NYC) and Haudenosaunee lands, she continues to push boundaries in the performing arts. ?? Learn more about Emily Johnson’s visionary work: https://bit.ly/40EGAq1

???? Welcoming Jacob Shije to First Peoples Fund! ? ? Please join us in welcoming Jacob Shije as the new Social + Digital Media Coordinator at First Peoples Fund! Jacob is a member of Santa Clara Pueblo (Kha’p’o Owingeh) in New Mexico, where he was raised with a deep connection to his cultural roots and the arts. Influenced by his upbringing in a creative household, Jacob developed a passion for storytelling through both visual and musical forms. His work reflects a commitment to preserving and uplifting Indigenous voices and traditions. ?? Jacob brings valuable experience to the team, having served as Marketing Manager at the Poeh Cultural Center, where he promoted Indigenous arts and culture through graphic design, photography, and digital media. He is also an accomplished musician, performing with his own group, the Jacob Shije Trio, and as a member of the Levi Platero Band. We’re excited to have Jacob’s creativity and dedication supporting First Peoples Fund’s mission to amplify arts, culture and communities. Welcome, Jacob! #FirstPeoplesFund #CollectiveSpirit #IndigenousArts #NativeLeadership #CulturalEmpowerment

Calling Indigenous Artists & Culture Bearers! ??? The Oglala Lakota Artspace Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program offers dedicated time, space, and resources for Oglala Lakota artists and culture bearers to deepen their practice, build connections, and collaborate with the community. ?? Residency Details: ?? 2-6 week residencies (June–November 2025) ?? Stipend + materials support ?? Furnished cabin with kitchen, bath & WiFi ?? Open to visual artists, writers, musicians & more ?? Applications open now! Indigenous artists, apply today & grow your creative practice. Apply at LINK IN BIO or at https://lnkd.in/gs7gJD4K

Calling Indigenous Artists & Culture Bearers! ??? The Oglala Lakota Artspace Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program offers dedicated time, space, and resources for Oglala Lakota artists and culture bearers to deepen their practice, build connections, and collaborate with the community. ?? Residency Details: ?? 2-6 week residencies (June–November 2025) ?? Stipend + materials support ?? Furnished cabin with kitchen, bath & WiFi ?? Open to visual artists, writers, musicians & more ?? Applications open now! Indigenous artists, apply today & grow your creative practice. Apply at LINK IN BIO or at https://lnkd.in/gs7gJD4K

????? Opportunities for Native artists are here! ??First Peoples Fund has gathered 5 incredible opportunities for Indigenous creatives—from residencies and fellowships to funding and artist markets. These programs offer support, space, and resources to help artists grow their work and impact their communities. + Oklahoma Art in Public Places Route 66 Public Art Trail – Deadline: April 15, 2025 + MIT Solve Indigenous Communities Fellowship – Deadline: April 17, 2025 + Center for Craft Curatorial Fellowship – Deadline: April 18, 2025 + Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - SHIFT – Deadline: May 15, 2025 + Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - LIFT – Deadline: May 15, 2025 ?? Looking for more ways to grow as an artist? Explore additional resources here: Link in Bio or https://lnkd.in/gKwk7jt5 #FirstPeoplesFund #CollectiveSpirit #NativeArtists #IndigenousCreativity #SupportNativeArts

????? Opportunities for Native artists are here! ??First Peoples Fund has gathered 5 incredible opportunities for Indigenous creatives—from residencies and fellowships to funding and artist markets. These programs offer support, space, and resources to help artists grow their work and impact their communities. + American Museum of Natural History Indigenous Fellowship – Deadline: March 31, 2025 + Pueblo Fibers Arts Show Call for Artists – Deadline: March 31, 2025 + Bemis Center Artist Residencies – Deadline: March 31, 2025 + Creative Capital Award – Deadline: April 02, 2025 + NACC Clinic Design – Deadline: April 14, 2025 ?? Looking for more ways to grow as an artist? Explore additional resources here: Link in Bio or https://lnkd.in/gKwk7jt5 #FirstPeoplesFund #CollectiveSpirit #NativeArtists #IndigenousCreativity #SupportNativeArts

On behalf of First Peoples Fund’s Wicahpi Olowan (WO) Music Program and Studio, based at the Oglala Lakota Artspace, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our friends and partners at Playing for Change for their generous support of the first annual Playing for Change Day Round Dance in March 2025. This meaningful partnership has allowed us to expand the WO Program and create community-centered events like this round dance, which fosters cultural continuity, celebration, and connection through music and dance. Philáu?yayapi (We thank you) for your support and shared commitment to uplifting Indigenous music and culture! https://lnkd.in/gnqBmgX6

?? We’re honored to celebrate Boots Lupenui (Native Hawaiian), a 2025 Native Performing Arts (NPA) Grantee, for his powerful work in music, storytelling, film, and fine art. ???? Rooted in the history of Kohala Mountain on Hawai‘i Island, Boots blends art, sound, and storytelling to preserve traditional Hawaiian music and uplift Indigenous narratives. ??? ?? As the founder of The Kohala Mountain Boys, he works to recover and revive old, unrecorded songs from Kohala while also creating visual art that has been showcased worldwide—including at the Venice Biennale and the Cuban Biennale, both firsts for a Native Hawaiian artist. This April, Boots and his band will bring their music to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. ???? ? Learn more about Boots Lupenui and his groundbreaking artistry: https://bit.ly/40EGAq1

???? Welcoming Rachel Heberling to First Peoples Fund! ? We’re honored to introduce Rachel Heberling (Lenape) as our new Program Manager of Native Artist Professional Development (NAPD)! With over a decade of experience in the arts nonprofit sector, Rachel has dedicated her career to strengthening Indigenous arts and culture. Her work fosters partnerships with Native CDFIs and arts organizations, ensuring NAPD training sessions remain deeply rooted in traditional knowledge and values. ?? As an artist and advocate, Rachel’s leadership has amplified Indigenous voices through printmaking, papermaking, and community-driven initiatives. We’re excited for the impact she’ll make at First Peoples Fund! Join us in welcoming her!

Calling Indigenous Artists & Culture Bearers! ??? The Oglala Lakota Artspace Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program offers dedicated time, space, and resources for Oglala Lakota artists and culture bearers to deepen their practice, build connections, and collaborate with the community. ?? Residency Details: ?? 2-6 week residencies (June–November 2025) ?? Stipend + materials support ?? Furnished cabin with kitchen, bath & WiFi ?? Open to visual artists, writers, musicians & more ?? Also Available: Wicahpi Olowan Visiting Artist Program ?? 6-month residency for artists working in our recording studio ?? $1,000 monthly stipend ?? Performance at Solstice or Equinox event ?? Applications open now! Indigenous artists, apply today & grow your creative practice. Apply at https://lnkd.in/gs7gJD4K