This Week at First Nations: June 6, 2025
First Nations Mourns the Loss of Valued Staff Member Dylan Fills Pipe
First Nations is saddened to share that we have lost a friend and colleague Dylan Fills Pipe (Oglala Sioux). Dylan joined First Nations in February 2024 as the Lead Grantmaking Officer, and he played a significant role on First Nations’ grantmaking team. He was a cherished friend, and he will be sorely missed. We share Dylan’s obituary for more information, as our hearts continue to go out to his friends and family.
Join Us June 17 for ‘Beyond the Label: Tribal Insights into Organic Practices and Certification’
As part of our focus on uplifting Native Food Sovereignty, First Nations will present a new webinar series that explores the relationships between Tribal agricultural producers and organic certification systems. The first session shares initial findings from a Tribal Organic Research Project on why Tribal producers pursue – or often choose not to pursue – organic certification. We’ll also discuss how Native values, traditional ecological knowledge, and Tribal Sovereignty intersect with federal organic standards.
Tribal producers, researchers, policymakers, extension professionals, and anyone interested in supporting Native food systems with integrity and respect are invited to attend.
The webinar will be Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 12 pm Mountain Time. Learn more and register here.
Announcing 2024-2025 Environmental Sovereignty and Justice Initiative Community Partners
Through year-end 2024, First Nations has invested $2.4 million through our Stewarding Native Lands Environmental Sovereignty and Justice Initiative to support Native-led efforts that protect Native communities, resources, and lands and oppose harmful policies and extraction. In 2024, 10 grants were awarded to Tribes and Native-led nonprofits across Indian Country that are working to protect their communities and lands from harmful practices and projects.
Learn about the Environmental Sovereignty and Justice Initiative and the 2024 grantees here.
Communities of Color Index Examines Philanthropic Giving to BIPOC Communities
A new report released by Equitable Giving Lab finds communities of color represent a substantial portion of the U.S. population and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic, cultural and social fabric. Yet, organizations serving communities of color received only 2.9% of total philanthropic giving in 2022, closely mirroring findings previously released by First Nations. First Nations President Mike Roberts was honored to join former First Nations Vice President Raymond Foxworth on the study’s Advisory Council. Together, they took the opportunity to not only inform the study, but also shed light on the amazing work happening throughout Indian Country that warrants greater funding and support. Access the report here.
REMINDER: Upcoming Native Farm to School Webinar
In the second of our two-part webinar series exploring how Native communities are advancing food sovereignty through education and policy, participants will gain a broader policy view, examining the historical impact of federal Indian policy and how it can be leveraged to reclaim food systems and empower future generations. Join us for Native Farm to School Policy Report — Leveraging Policy for Native Food Sovereignty, Education, and Empowerment, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 11 am to 12 pm Mountain Time — Register here!
Miss Webinar 1 of the series? Access the materials and recording here.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Advancing Tribal Conservation Easements Grant Opportunity
As part of the new Woven Lands Initiative, First Nations’ Stewarding Native Lands program is now accepting applications for the Advancing Tribal Conservation Easements grant opportunity. First Nations will provide grants of up to $50,000, in addition to technical assistance, trainings, and networking opportunities, to six Tribes pursuing conservation easements on private lands or conservation equivalents on trust lands. Learn more about the grant and apply here by June 26, 2025.
Thinking about applying? Watch for details of an upcoming application webinar on June 25, 2025.
Application Now Open for Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarships
First Nations’ Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments (NAFSI) Scholarship program supports Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students to ultimately better assist their communities with their food systems efforts. Again this year, First Nations will award 20 to 25 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2025-2026 academic school year to Native college or university students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields. Apply here by July 11, 2025.