October - 2011

Talking the Walk
 
How do we talk about ourselves, and when do we begin to believe it?

What if we saw the world differently? Or at the very least, what if we talked about it differently?

You see, we here in Indian Country so often and so quickly go where folks expect us to go.  To play the ‘race-to- the bottom’ game when it comes to selling our programs to funders and donors.  And it is not that we play this game lightly.  We are repeatedly reminded that we are for the most part invisible in the eyes of mainstream philanthropy, and that in order to garner attention, we have to look more depraved and ‘needy’ than the next folks.

But we cannot do that here at First Nations. We have joined with six other national Native organizations to form the Native Ways Federation, in order to guard against this behavior and messaging – Suzie Starving Bear is not part of our communications game plan.

Seriously, how can we communicate messages like this to the public, when in our heart of hearts we believe, ‘that when armed with the appropriate resources, Native peoples hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing of their communities?’

So when we communicate, we ask folks to join in the many great things and the momentum building that is happening in Indian Country.  To borrow from President George Bush, Sr., we are quick to share the ‘1,000 points of light’, an idea for individuals to contribute to society, that seem to be so seldom seen.  We hope that our communication and our messaging will help in changing that.  How could we face our constituents unless we believed and communicated any other way?

Celebrating the Future With an Eye to the Past!
By B. Thomas Vigil (Jicarilla Apache/Jemez Pueblo), Board Chairman
 
From the very start, we agreed to certain ideals at First Nations Development Institute, to work towards filling that niche, reaching that last milestone. A tribe wants to do something, but they need that little bit of help to get them over, or that little piece that is missing, that we will try at First Nations to fill that piece. The cornerstone of all that is this idea … Indian people, you are sovereign.

We have to find a way to utilize the people’s talents, their ingenuity and their energy. If we are going to be recognized, let us not do it because we told the world how great we are; let the world recognize us for what we have done, not for what we have said.

First Nations has honored our commitment since the very beginning to help fill that niche, to help tribes and Native people reach that milestone. I have been honored to serve as the board chairman of First Nations for many years, and I look forward to continuing my service to Indian Country. There have been many individuals along the way who have supported our organization, and I thank you for your advocacy and dedication to our mission.

It is my honor to present to you First Nations’ 2010 online annual report, which includes our new organizational video and four videos on remarkable grantees that are strengthening Indian Country. We invite you to read our annual report to learn more about how your support of First Nations is helping to build the economic infrastructure of Native communities. 

CLICK HERE to view the 2010 annual report and our videos. 

On the Set of Winter in the Blood

Described as a wild and comic odyssey, the film Winter in the Blood is based on the first novel written by James Welch, a Native American poet, author, documentary scriptwriter and historical essayist. The story involves the character Virgil First Raise, who embarks on a journey to retrieve his renegade wife and the beloved rifle she stole.

The vision for the film came about through the writers/directors of The Slaughter Rule, Alex and Andrew Smith, who have set out to create a film adaptation of Winter in the Blood. The idea for the film was to stay true to Welch’s novel, while creating a story that appealed to mass audiences and had universal appeal. 

Before film production began, the visionaries for the movie partnered with Longhouse Media in Seattle, Washington, a Native nonprofit with a mission to catalyze Indigenous people and communities to use media as a tool for self-expression, cultural preservation and social change. Recognizing that Native filmmakers need more opportunities in the movie industry, Longhouse Media was asked to provide Native interns to work on the film set. Through First Nations Development Institute’s Native Youth and Culture Fund, Longhouse Media was able to recruit several Native youth interns throughout Indian Country to work on the movie.

First Nations recently visited with Tracy Rector, executive director of Longhouse Media, on the impact of this project:

First Nations: What do you see as Longhouse Media’s role in providing opportunity to Native filmmakers?

Tracy: We see ourselves primarily as advocates. It is important for Native filmmakers to have the support they need, and to have the opportunity to build their portfolios. We are helping to build the self-esteem of Native youth. They are fully capable of gaining positions within the film industry. We want to crash that glass ceiling and open doors for people.

First Nations: Why is Native filmmaking so important to you?

Tracy: Filmmaking is a modern way of telling stories. Through the camera we can teach people. It is powerful to put cameras in the hands of Native youth. They can be given a voice, and they can become confident and express themselves. They can speak their truth through the camera. There are many powerful Native youth filmmakers, and we need to support programs that will nurture and foster their growth.

How You Helped a Native Nonprofit Increase Capacity
A 2010 Annual Report Profile on the Notah Begay III Foundation

Notah Begay III, the only full-blooded Native American on the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) tour, was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2005, Notah launched the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation to positively impact the Native community. The NB3 Foundation works to battle obesity and diabetes, which are challenging health issues that are impacting Native American youth today.

The mission of the NB3 Foundation is to promote the health, wellness and leadership development of Native youth. NB3 accomplishes this mission by helping tribal nations build their capacity to design and manage effective wellness, sports and development programs. The two sports that NB3 currently utilizes, soccer and golf, help promote healthy lifestyles and build the self-esteem of program participants.

Native youth learn the fundamentals of each game, and focus on building healthy lifestyles. They learn important life skills, such as how to cultivate honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. The youth also develop crucial leadership skills through sports, which they take back to their communities to strengthen their families and tribal people.

Through your generosity, First Nations Development Institute supported the NB3 Foundation by providing vital capacity building services. The foundation is like many emerging Native nonprofits today that need assistance to increase their operational capacity, implement grantmaking and program services, and build sound financial systems. “First Nations has a very big commitment to creating capacity for the development of more Native nonprofits because of the great needs within our communities,” shared Crystal Echo Hawk, executive director of the NB3 Foundation.

First Nations, in partnership with Longhouse Media in Seattle, Washington, produced a short video on the NB3 Foundation. CLICK HERE to listen to Crystal talk about the importance of the foundation and how First Nations provided critical capacity building services.