|
Matching Gift Challenge for Heritage Month!
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, First Nations has been sharing information about one of our newest efforts that is showing great promise — the Native Language Immersion Initiative. It aims to build the capacity of and directly support language-immersion efforts in Native communities. This month and going through December 15, 2018, you have a special opportunity to make twice the difference in supporting this important work. The National Endowment for the Humanities has provided a generous matching grant to support even more of these initiatives. So, in honor of Native American Heritage Month, we’re asking good friends like you to help us maximize this opportunity.
 
Titwáatit Gallery Boosts Colville Native Artists
When the front door opens, a chime rings and each visitor is greeted with the sound of Northern Plains drumming and the smell of freshly-burned sage. At first glance, a visitor might notice the intricate beadwork on a belt in the front room, or be drawn to a hand-woven basket perfectly poised on a stand in the foyer. The Northwest Native Development Fund has meticulously created a pure Plateau Native American art experience through the development of the Titwáatit Native Art Gallery in Washington. The fund worked closely with local artists to display their art in a way to attract the visitor and highlight the beauty of each piece.
Gwich’in Seek to Protect Arctic Wildlife Refuge
The Gwich’in Steering Committee invites friends and allies to join the 58th Anniversary celebration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge, which spans 19.5 million acres, is one of the last untouched ecosystems in the world. It is home to 45 species of land and marine mammals including polar bears, wolf, moose, mountain sheep and bowhead whales. It is also the primary habitat of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, which is key to the Gwich’in in their subsistence way of life.
“Native Truth” Materials Garner Positive Reactions
We have been delighted by the response after First Nations released groundbreaking research in June about attitudes toward and perceptions of Native Americans as part of a jointly-managed effort called Reclaiming Native Truth: A Project to Dispel America’s Myths and Misconceptions. We have received countless emails, phone calls, texts and even social media messages about the materials and the project itself, as well as stated commitments by many folks to begin their own efforts to change the perceptions of Native Americans.
Gather Film Coming in 2019!
The First Nations-produced, feature-length film Gather is in post-production now with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2019. The filmmakers will then announce a premiere date and location and will begin a screening tour in Indian Country. Meanwhile, the affiliated journalism project continues to produce exceptional reporting of critical food sovereignty issues.
Native Students Challenge School Officials
Over Inappropriate Assignment
Recently, Lauren Carpenter and Paiton Funderburk, both members of the Catawba Tribe, were given an assignment in their high school’s American history class. The task: debate the pros and cons of the Indian Removal Act, both in class and with a longer paper. Deeply uncomfortable with the assignment, the students took a stand.
Admiration & Respect for Native World
Drive Couple’s Commitment
Native American spirituality, connection to nature, tolerance and tradition: For Drs. Basavlinga Amarkumar (Amar) and Mangala Kumar, the list of reasons they admire the Native world is long and sincere. They’re reasons they’ve studied and explored since coming to the United States over 45 years ago. And they’re reasons for the couple’s long-time support of Native American causes and First Nations Development Institute.
Lakota Artists Boost Economy, Community
& Cultural Traditions on Pine Ridge
For the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce, the goal is to bolster the local economy and improve the quality of life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This past summer, with the help of funding from First Nations Development Institute, the chamber discovered the powerful role art can play in this economic development, while bringing people together and keeping Lakota traditions alive.
Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide Available
First Nations Development Institute recently published the Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide, a comprehensive manual for planning and implementing farm-to-school programs in Native American communities. Increasingly, Native farm-to-school programs have become an important way to introduce traditional foods and practices into curriculum, as well as to promote Native health, self-reliance and sustainability.
|
