Indigenous Conservation Council of the Chesapeake Bay

The Headline: Tribal lands were stolen. What happens when those ancestral territories are returned? Answer: GREAT stuff!! Check out this great Land Back article of Indigenous leadership happening across the nation from Vox!! The momentum for Indigenous-led conservation is rising and building with great examples of land back from the Nansemond Indian Nation and the Rappahannock Tribe. These are just two examples of the deep work Tribal Nations in Virginia are engaged in to heal, repair, and connect with their ancestral lands. We are here for it!! https://lnkd.in/eWHKX8xq #LandBack #sovereignty #Indigenous #conservation #climatechange

"Speak from your heart." The heart knows the way! What a great discussion last week at the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership on the shores of the Monacacy with Dominique Daye Hunter (representing Indigenous East) and Kesha Braunskill (representing Native Roots Farm Foundation). Truly thinking about ways we can come closer together, listen, and learn from Indigenous values and perspectives when rapid change threatens to change places we love is good work, hard work, and important work. Thanks to Ben Alexandro and Chase Douglas for such warm hospitality and to all the members of the Partnership who are doing incredible things to support community rising up to meet the challenge of our generation!

Congrats to Bobbie T. of the Rappahannock Tribe!

After passing a resolution last year, the City of Virginia Beach now has an active subcommittee chaired by resident Michael Cloud-Butler (Anishinaabe-Ojibwe) to draft a formal land acknowledgment for consideration. With input from the Nansemond Indian Nation, Nottaway, Cheroenhaka-Nottoway, Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Lenape and Pamunkey Indian Tribe, the subcommittee is learning about the history of the land and its Indigenous Peoples, impact of colonization, and present day relationships and opportunities. Land acknowledgements can be powerful first steps forward to support truth, reconciliation, and healing in the quest to come into good relationship with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ejmfq9jC #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

This week, all seven federally recognized tribes participated in the EPA Region 3 Tribal Operations Committee (R-TOC) Annual Meeting. R-TOC provides a direct mechanism for government-to-government consultation and partnership building for tribal staff. The federally recognized tribes in what is now known as Virginia are the only federally recognized tribes currently acknowledged in Region 3. Dana Adkins (Chickahominy) and Jessica Phillips (Chickahominy-Eastern Division) serve as co-chairs for R-TOC Region 3. This meeting included the new Virginia State Tribal Ombudsman, Kara Canaday, who now works for the Commonwealth of Virginia to facilitate better government-to-government consultation between federally recognized tribal governments and four state agencies in the Commonwealth. Her position was made possible via new legislation passed in last year's General Assembly, which was amended to remove consent and signed into law by Governor Youngkin. Canady is a Chickahominy citizen. Welcome Kara!

“I think the big thing is realizing that Native Americans aren't only confined to history books. We are still present [and] active in communities,” Lilly said. “We're normal people, we have a history, and we're still here.” Supporting connections between Indigenous Peoples and higher education is a huge opportunity. Kudos to the University of Virginia's Native American Student Union for having these conversations all year round! Many universities are also establishing tribal relations liaisons like UVA, whose institution is located on MONACAN INDIAN NATION, INC. ancestral grounds and serves Native students. They are supporting more regular relations, conversations and communication with tribal governments and citizens. Is your institution one of them? Are you thinking about how to support building tribal capacity and resilience in open-hearted ways? Please share with us! https://lnkd.in/e-Nf_SbH #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #highereducation

Fantastic session yesterday at the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network on how philanthropy can support efforts to build tribal capacity! Thank you to Chief Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Tribe, Kitcki Carroll of United South and Eastern Tribes and Leah Salgado at the Weissberg Foundation for a fantastic conversation. Thank you to Tory Dietel Hopps, Ann C. Mills, and Megan McPherson (Milliken) for creating such a wonderful platform and accommodating this virtual conversation at your session. We discussed #sovereignty and how easy and complex it is in concept and practice, #Indigenous-models of care and kinship with the natural world that all of us are a part of, and the importance of #philanthropy giving unrestricted funds directly to Tribal Nations and native-led institutions and moving money wholescale across grant-making and INVESTING to support Indigenous communities by investing in Indigenous businesses, native CDFIs. Here are some resources shared by the group: 1) USET's reading list compiled for #NativeAmericanHistoryMonth (and every month): https://lnkd.in/edNiEe2K 2) Nonprofit Quarterly: How Understanding Endowments is Key to Liberating Philanthropy: https://lnkd.in/eNF-fuPm 3) Indian Country 101(A self-paced training program on sovereignty built for non-native folks): https://lnkd.in/gVvQcHQr

Very cool! Congrats to the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe on a fantastic event!

This November, we remember the rich culture, histories, and contributions of Indigenous people across the nation. Let us celebrate and honor our ancestors before us and come together to embrace the future. ?? Happy Native American Heritage Month to all! ??

??? Happy National Native American Heritage Month! ???? This month, we honor the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Native American communities across the United States. Join us in celebrating the resilience, strength, and vibrant heritage of Native peoples. Share stories, support Native-owned businesses, and engage with Indigenous voices in our communities. What ways are you celebrating Native American heritage this month? Share in the comments! #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #OneMattaponiTribe #StrongerTogether #IndigenousVoices #PeopleOfTheRiver