Focus Area

Community Pathways

Since the time of creation, our inherent responsibility to care for Mother Earth has created balance between plant, animal, and human relatives. Our cultural practices, traditions, and languages have been, and continue to be, essential to this caretaking. This vast reservoir of knowledge is handed down to each generation to ensure the protection of Mother Earth.

Native communities need access and opportunities to learn, carry, and transfer traditional knowledge. First Nations’ Community Pathways initiative was created to support intergenerational knowledge transfer so that our lifeways, lands, and future generations can thrive.

Community Pathways is grounded in upholding traditional knowledge and community connections, specifically between culture bearers and youth. Our culture bearers bridge the past to our present, and our youth are our bridge to the future. This initiative creates pathways for both groups to connect and engage in stewardship and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Support for Community Pathways is made possible thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor through First Nations’ Tribal Lands Conservation Fund.

Community Pathways Highlight

As part of our Indigenous Partnership to Advance Native American Communities and Producers project, First Nations partnered with Waters Media and Santa Ana Pueblo to support the production of the short film “Dillion.” The film tells the story of Dillion Eustance (Pueblo of Santa Ana) who serves as the Pueblo of Santa Ana’s Department of Natural Resources Technician I. His passion and commitment to uplifting traditional knowledge and stewardship practices will have a lasting impact on the livelihoods, health, and wellness of the Santa Ana Pueblo community. The film depicts the heart and intention of First Nations’ Community Pathways Initiative.

 

 

Awarded Grants

2026

Supporting Wildlife Habitat Enhancement and Outreach on the Pueblo of Santa Ana-Phase II

2026 Supporting Wildlife Habitat Enhancement and Outreach on the Pueblo of Santa Ana-Phase II

$50,000
Pueblo of Santa Ana nm Created with Sketch. Santa Ana Pueblo, NM

Funding Area

Focus Area Community Pathways

Description

This project will support wildlife habitat enhancement, environmental outreach to and education for tribal youth, and tribal engagement in wildlife connectivity and corridors.

2025

Youth Programs and Organizational Capacity Building

2025 Youth Programs and Organizational Capacity Building

$60,000
Hui o Kuapā hi Created with Sketch. Kaunakakai, HI

Funding Area

Focus Area Community Pathways

Description

This project empowers Molokaʻi youth through ʻāina-based education, art, and cultural leadership while strengthening organizational capacity and digital storytelling. We intend to protect ancestral knowledge and ongoing stewardship of ʻāina, kai, and community well-being for future generations.

2024

Youth Guardians: Indigenous Stewardship for a Sustainable Future

2024 Youth Guardians: Indigenous Stewardship for a Sustainable Future

$110,000
Kake Tribal Heritage Foundation ak Created with Sketch. Kake, AK

Community Partners

Organized Village of Kake

Description

Our project aims to create sustainable job opportunities for Indigenous youth while fostering climate resilience in our community. By cultivating stewardship practices, we empower young leaders to manage local resources effectively, increase community engagement, and leverage traditional knowledge to address the climate crisis and protect our environment for future generations.

2024

Expanding Shellfish Gardens Through Youth Engagement in Keex Kwaan

2024 Expanding Shellfish Gardens Through Youth Engagement in Keex Kwaan

$110,616
Organized Village of Kake (OVK) ak Created with Sketch. Kake, AK

Community Partners

Organized Village of Kake

Description

This project will support a third year of leveraging funding to increase the impact of our shellfish garden program to create and retain jobs that support climate preparedness utilizing education, training, monitoring, and strategic planning.

2024

Hāʻena Youth Summer Biocultural Internship

2024 Hāʻena Youth Summer Biocultural Internship

$60,000
Hui Maka'ainana o Makana hi Created with Sketch. Hanalei, HI

Description

This project will bolster the youth biocultural internship program with a new curriculum and travel opportunity for twelve interns to connect with other Native Hawaiian-led organizations doing community-led stewardship

2024

Bering Strait Youth Partnerships in Sustainable Energy and Food Security

2024 Bering Strait Youth Partnerships in Sustainable Energy and Food Security

$110,000
Kawerak, Incorporated ak Created with Sketch. Nome, AK

Community Partners

Inter-Tribal

Description

This project will address and prepare for the impacts of climate change that greatly affect our region, by increasing our operational capacity, retaining and continuing our sustainable energy initiatives, and supporting food security education in the Bering Strait Region.

2024

Advancing Youth Leadership Opportunities in Conservation and Cultural Resources

2024 Advancing Youth Leadership Opportunities in Conservation and Cultural Resources

$60,000
The Center for Native Health INC nc Created with Sketch. Cherokee, NC

Description

This project will support a Junior North American Women's Association Club that is focusing on conservation that is working in collaboration with Elohi Dinigatiyi "Earth Keepers," Elders advisory group.

2024

Tribal Alliance for Pollinators: Connecting and Restoring to Mitigate Climate Change Impact on Indigenous Youth

2024 Tribal Alliance for Pollinators: Connecting and Restoring to Mitigate Climate Change Impact on Indigenous Youth

$60,000
Learning Center at the Euchee Butterfly Farm Inc ok Created with Sketch. Bixby, OK

Community Partners

Inter-Tribal

Description

This project will increase local capacity and restore grassland ecosystem health by leveraging and expanding Tribal Alliance for Pollinators (TAP) native plant restoration program and the TAP prescribed burn association, which will prevent erosion, improve soil health, and reduce wildfire risk, and also provide an opportunity for youth conservation training.

2024

Hualapai Youth Empowerment Through Traditions

2024 Hualapai Youth Empowerment Through Traditions

$60,000
Hualapai Department of Cultural Resources az Created with Sketch. Peach Springs, AZ

Description

Project Purpose The project will create and retain cultural specific events for youth to learn the Hualapai language and culture and provide them with skills to incorporate and continue to practice in their daily lives.

2024

Buffalo Restoration

2024 Buffalo Restoration

$60,000
Medicine Fish Corporation wi Created with Sketch. Gresham, WI

Community Partners

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

Description

Restoring Buffalo to the land, enhances biodiversity. As a keystone species, Buffalo positively influence ecosystems. Educating future leaders on their ecological significance fosters a symbiotic relationship with nature. Leveraging this relationship, alongside controlled fire practices, harmonizes land stewardship and ecological conservation for the benefit of the Earth.

2024

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Education and Outreach Program

2024 Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Education and Outreach Program

$60,000
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society co Created with Sketch. Northglenn, CO

Community Partners

Inter-Tribal

Description

Project Purpose The project will strengthen, build and sustain education / outreach programs through obtaining needed equipment/supplies, increasing student participation and applications, developing operations plans, increasing organizational visibility, piloting a mentorship program, assisting Tribal Hunter Ed programs and completing evaluations.