This Week at First Nations: May 12, 2023

New Webinar on Indigenous Climate Adaptation Through Wildlife Connectivity

As a community partner through our Advancing Native Ecological Stewardship project, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals is joining First Nations and the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) to host “Pathways to Resilience: Facilitating Indigenous Climate Adaptation Through Wildlife Connectivity.” Presenters from Southern Ute Indian Tribe, NAFWS, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will discuss examples of successful wildlife corridor projects, opportunities for collaboration and funding, and resources for further learning and action. The webinar will be held May 25, 2023, at 11 am Mountain Time. Register here.

Reminder for California Tribes: Q&A Grant Application Webinar is Next Week

First Nations expects to award 10 to 12 grants averaging $40,000 to California-based tribes or tribally-controlled non-profit organizations through the California Tribal Fund’s Food Sovereignty and Local Control of Food Systems grant opportunity. To address questions about the application process, a Q&A webinar will be held Monday, May 15, 2023, at 10 am Pacific Time. Register here.

New Video Highlights Native Nonprofit Day — Coming Up Next Week!

Important work is being done in Native communities across the country, through language revitalization, education, addressing climate change, improving policy, and more. But what’s needed is increased support to make up for historical inequities in funding and ensure resources flow to Native-led organizations. This new video from Native Ways Federation explores the reasons behind the second annual Native Nonprofit Day and how people can get involved. #NativeNonprofitDay is May 19, 2023!

Reminder: Next Conservation Training Happening Next Week

In collaboration with Acoma Department of Natural Resources, First Nations is hosting another five-day Conservation Planning Training & Workshop through our Advancing Agribusiness & Ecological Stewardship in the Southwest project. The training helps Native agricultural producers develop and complete their conservation plans to seek support for USDA programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. 

The training will be held May 15 to 19, 2023, at the Pueblo of Acoma Auditorium. Registration is first-come, first-served, and limited to 20 Native agricultural producers in Pueblo of Acoma. Learn more and register. Please note that participants must create a free Airtable account to register for this event.

Taking Back the Power for MMIW in Colorado Springs

Last Friday, Indigenous women and supporters marched together in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to bring attention to the epidemic of violence against Native people. The event was one of thousands held throughout the country in honor of National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. First Nations’ Michelle Gauthier (Menominee Nation of Wisconsin, pictured center, right) and her daughter Isabella (center left) attended the event and were photographed in front of the “Take Back the Power” mural.

Photo credit, Colorado Springs Gazette, Parker Seibold 

Wayfarer Foundation Works to Reimagine Racial Justice

First Nations was honored to be among the 200 BIPOC and nonprofit leaders invited to the Wayfarer Foundation: Reimagining Racial Justice Together Conference in April. The event featured presentations and sessions that promoted collaboration and community building to end systemic racism and co-create a unified world. A Baháʼí-inspired organization, Wayfarer Foundation funds and supports spiritually rooted and justice-oriented nonprofits. Thank you, Wayfarer Foundation, for creating a safe space to learn, share experiences, and network.

National Basketry Organization Features 2020 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow

First Nations’ Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow Lloyd Kumulāʻau. Sing, Jr. and his wife May Haunani Balino-Sing were featured in the latest issue of the National Basketry Organization magazine for their work in reviving ʻ ieʻ ie basket weaving to connect Hawaiian culture’s past, present, and future. The magazine showcased the Sings’ artistry, illustrating how the couple is revitalizing an artform that was once at the core of Hawaiian culture: weaving with an aerial rootlet from a climbing vine. Congratulations, Sings!

Final Reminder: Apply by Next Week for 2024 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship

First Nations will award 10 two-year fellowships of $75,000 each to outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that benefits Indigenous people and communities. Apply here by May 17, 2023.

Registration Now Open for SAFSF Forum in June

Funders, food system partners, and philanthropy support organizations are invited to join the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders for its forum June 12 to 14, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The forum is an opportunity to connect with community and movement leaders, policy activists and advocates, federal legislators, and other funders to seek promising solutions and strategies for agriculture and food systems that address the roots and consequences of racial inequities, socio-economic and geographic divides, and community disenfranchisement and disinvestment. Learn more and register here.

ESPN Anchor Apologizes for Mocking First Nations Hockey Star

Zach Whitecloud, a First Nations member in Canada and defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, responded to the overt racism displayed by ESPN Sportscenter anchor John Anderson during an NHL playoff game this week. In a video shared by Indian Country Today, Whitecloud says that he accepted Anderson’s apology. “I’m proud of where I come from and where I was raised, who I was raised by. I carry my grandfather’s last name, and nothing makes me more proud than to be able to do that. In our culture, we were raised to be the first ones to reach out and offer help, so that’s why I reached out to John this morning.” Read more.