We Are Resolute

February 28, 2025 | By Michael E. Roberts

First Nations Responds to the Evolving Political Climate

In recent weeks, First Nations has received and responded to many inquiries from concerned community partners and supporters about the current political climate in the U.S. and actions taken by the new administration. In this blog post, First Nations’ President & CEO Mike Roberts speaks to these conversations and how First Nations is moving forward with courage and conviction in supporting Native communities and upholding Tribal Sovereignty.

First Nations Development Institute is a staunch advocate of Tribal Sovereignty, and First Nations’ focus has always been on the health and wellbeing of Native communities and the Native-led organizations that serve them.

This commitment is unwavering, from the time of First Nations’ origins, to present-day and the current political climate. First Nations’ mission is anchored in our trust and belief that Native communities have the knowledge, skills, and ability to develop their own solutions, care for their people and communities, and perpetuate Native lifeways regardless of circumstances. That anchoring has not changed; in fact, it has only gotten stronger in unsettling or troubled times.

Like many in Native communities, First Nations cannot predict future outcomes. But we remain resolute in what we do know:

WE KNOW:

THAT the current administration’s recent political decisions have a direct impact on organizations serving Native communities. Findings from the University of Indiana School of Philanthropy show that BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving nonprofit organizations raise 65% of their revenue from government sources, including federal grants, state funds, and pass-through funds. For Native-led and Native-serving nonprofits, that number nationwide jumps to 72%.¹

Further, less than one percent of total private philanthropic foundation funding goes to support Native American organizations and causes. In the last decade, the share of total foundation giving to Native American communities and causes has ranged from a high of 82/100th of one percent (0.82%) in 2015 to a low of 43/100th of one percent (0.43%) in 2022.²

This puts Native-led and Native-serving organizations in a precarious position, and those whose funding sources are not adequately robust, diversified, or reliable will be at risk as funding cuts – and threats of cuts – continue.

THAT the lack of understanding of DEI may also harm Native communities. It is not uncommon for academics, private philanthropic funders, and government agencies to categorize American Indians and Alaska Natives as a population of color, similar to racial and ethnic minorities. However, American Indian status is a political classification, not one of “race.” Tribal nations and their citizens reserve a political status, and they remain distinct sovereign governmental entities.

While tribes’ program and department work should not fall under DEI initiatives, they are often mis-categorized as such. Tribes are sovereign nations with a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. Government. At the same time, Native-led nonprofits are not the same as tribes and may be categorized differently based on their place of incorporation.

Added to this, even when DEI programs have been supported and funded by federal agencies during previous administrations, private philanthropy’s efforts toward equality and equity have not always extended to Native peoples. For example, only 7% of America’s largest foundations have Native American board representation, and Native Americans make up only 4/5th of 1% (0.8%) of foundation board of director members.⁴ Moreover, as noted, private foundations only directed 0.43% of their giving to Native organizations and causes in 2022.

Without the proper knowledge and understanding of what exactly race means, cuts to DEI programs for racial diversity will impact programs that promote equity and equality for Native Americans.

THAT First Nations is strategically positioned to brace for impact. First Nations operates from a diverse portfolio and established reserves. We are no stranger to the whims of private philanthropy or those of the revolving cast of leaders in the White House. First Nations is prepared and positioned to go on serving our current community partners. Our financial and technical assistance to Native communities will continue, evolving as needed in response to political and economic shifts. We remain grateful to our preceding and present leadership, and our generous funders, donors, partners, and supporters who have made it possible for First Nations, as an organization, to have a solid financial foundation.

We know we can help lead the conversation of What Happens Now? Our Board of Directors and senior leadership are convening regularly and monitoring the actions of the new administration. We are aligning resources to ensure we continue to best uplift the Native programs and communities we serve and to invest in our established partnerships.

THAT more threats to Indian Country are likely forthcoming. We are acutely aware of the impact they will have on Native communities, as well as on our community partners who rely on government funding.

We know we have an opportunity – and the duty – to be frank when talking to our funders, donors, and community partners about the state of government funding, philanthropic giving, and the impact that any reduction in spending – DEI or otherwise – has on Native communities.

We know that now is not the time to let up. Now is the time to double down.

We are underscoring the need for support for Native communities. We encourage people to continue being informed about the impact of budget cuts on tribes and Native communities. We urge people to learn more about the innovative work always happening in Indian Country – work that continues to need support, regardless of who is in the Oval Office. We ask people to continue to invest in Native communities for the betterment of our Earth, our children, and our futures.

Right now, First Nations joins Native-led and Native-serving nonprofits in digging our roots deeper as new changes reverberate across the country. We recognize that the current challenges are only the latest in a series of atrocities we, as Native people, have experienced. We call on the experience, wisdom, and fortitude of our ancestors and present leadership. We will continue to act with courage and conviction in supporting Native nonprofits and the Native communities they serve, and now, more than ever, upholding the rule of Tribal Sovereignty.

Michael E. Roberts (Tlingit)
President & CEO
First Nations Development Institute

Notes