Awarded Grants

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The Oceti Sakowin Writers Society began with retreats at the Oak Lake Field Station near the Minnesota border in Brookings County, SD. When we became a Native-run, Native-led 501(c)3 the staff and leadership envisioned moving the retreat around to the communities and reservations of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate. This has provided a logistical challenge for an organization still building staffing and organizational capacity. With this grant, we would be able to research and build relationships with new venues allowing us to do a rotation of He Sapa, Mni Sose and further East. Access to the land is the primary aspect, however this is gatekept by settler colonial institutions and Western capitalism. Money for staffing, venue deposits, fundraising and awareness would go along way in ensuring the sustainability of our annual retreat for Oceti Sakowin writers.

This project will support the first year of the Hupa Language Immersion Nest, which will create a new generation of Hupa Language speakers.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) Research was gathered from community surveys and qualitative interviews to create a Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Strategic Prevention Plan in 2020. This plan was researched and written by tribal members who have either themselves or have family members that have experienced being at-risk youth and the consequences. These individuals have drawn upon their family and community experience to contribute to the development of this Tribal data. This research guided the creation of a strategic prevention plan where strategies and programs were identified that would increase the protective factors of our youth and families. One youth shared, ‘Bringing our elders, aunties, uncles, parents, and youth together will increase our strength in family and community.’ A community member shared, ‘the bottom line is healing. Recognizing that as we become healthier, healing is still necessary. Communication and coming together is still necessary.’ This grant provides the opportunity for our local community members, elders and community adults, to be recognized as cultural knowledge experts in a society where older humans are often discounted. It provides the opportunity for an interchange of encouragement and empowerment to be shared amongst the community. This will provide strength as relationship bonds are created and strengthened.