This Week at First Nations: November 8, 2024
More Highlights of National Native American Heritage Month
As this important month continues, we honor the strong relationships and intimate knowledge shared among Native people and their non-human relatives. To learn more, join us next week for a new 2024 webinar on the Tribal Lands Conservation Fund (TLC Fund).
As part of First Nations’ “Bring Back the Native” campaign in support of the TLC Fund, representatives from First Nations’ Stewarding Native Lands team, the Nez Perce Tribe, and Medicine Fish will present about Native approaches to protect lands, waters, and ecosystems for generations. Register here.
And in continued celebration of our Native Arts community partners, check out Malki Museum, which was featured on a KCAL News’ spotlight on Banning, California. As the oldest non-profit museum founded by Native Americans on a California Indian reservation, Malki Museum promotes cultural awareness and preservation of Southern California Indian Cultures for future generations. Watch the video here.
Finally, remember to follow along here to learn about the following events and more celebrating National Native American Heritage Month:
* GATHER Film Screening at the Guild Cinema in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 12:30 pm MT. Learn more.
* Webinar 2: History and Language Revitalization: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 10 am MT. Register here.
Honoring our Native American Veterans
On Veterans Day next Monday, First Nations reflects with gratitude and respect for Native American veterans, who have served “in every major conflict, every capacity, every generation since a formalized military was raised in 1775 for what became the Revolutionary War,” writes Smithsonian Magazine.
In honor of the day, we share again this First Nations’ Donor Spotlight on Paul Herbert, a military historian and close friend of Charles Norman Shay (Penobscot) who served during D-Day and returned to Omaha Beach every year to pay tribute to his comrades-in-arms. Read more.
First Nations Weighs in on the Importance of Trust-Based Philanthropy
First Nations’ Vice President of Development JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) participated in a new film exploring the impact of trust-based philanthropy. In it, she says, “Trust-based philanthropy – I believe we’ve always had it in our communities. We’ve always believed in one another to do good work and support each other.” She also talks about the need for multi-year funding to ensure projects can continue and be sustained for maximum impact. “You do this work from your heart and when you do it from your heart, then it expands and extends to everybody you work with,” she says. Watch the full video here.
Tribal and Federal Employees: Access the Full Agenda for Shared Horizons
Co-hosted by First Nations and Native American Rights Fund, the Shared Horizons: Navigating Tribal Co-Stewardship and Co-Management Opportunities Conference will provide trainings, space for sharing ideas and work, and networking opportunities to grow the field of tribal co-stewardship and co-management.
Tribal and federal employees and representatives: Register now!
Note the deadline to register is Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Travel scholarships are available for tribal representatives and employees.
Want more information? The official agenda is now available. Download it here.
Apply Now for USDA Farm to School Grant Opportunity
The Fiscal Year 2025 USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant application is now available for support in initiating and expanding farm to school efforts. Indian tribal organizations, schools and school districts, CACFP and summer sponsors, state agencies, local agencies, non-profit organizations, and agricultural producers are encouraged to apply. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded in five grant tracks. State agencies, Indian tribal organizations, or other eligible organizations proposing projects that are multi-state or national in scope, may apply for up to $500,000. Applications are due January 10, 2025. Learn more.
