This Week at First Nations: October 25, 2024
National Native American Heritage Month Kicks Off Next Week
Next month and in continued celebration throughout the end of the year, First Nations is hosting a series of virtual and in-person events to honor Native American heritage. Mark your calendars for the following dates, and stay tuned as we post more information about National Native American Heritage Month.
* Webinar Series Intro: Exploring the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico: Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 10 am MT. Register here.
* 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.
Access Support for Tribally Led Landscape Scale Restoration
As part of our Fortifying Our Forests, Landscape Scale Restoration project, First Nations is hosting a webinar for tribal representatives to learn about tribally led landscape restoration projects and the support available through the U.S. Forest Service’s Landscape Scale Restoration Program (LSRP). The LSRP offers a competitive grant opportunity for federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations/villages, and tribal organizations. Applications are being accepted through December 16, 2024.
In the webinar, tribes will discuss their work to promote collaborative restoration of priority forest landscapes. Join us Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 1 pm MT. Register here.
Join Us November 7 for ‘Leveraging 638-Contracts for Tribal Co-Stewardship’
In the next installment in First Nations’ Tribal Co-Stewardship and Co-Management Webinar Series, Monte Mills, Professor of Law and Director of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law, will illustrate the role of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, known as ISDEAA or Public Law 93-638, in the space of tribal co-stewardship and co-management. The webinar will cover the basics of ISDEAA, the types of agreements authorized by that law, and resources and examples for utilizing those agreements to pursue co-stewardship opportunities with the federal government.
* The webinar is Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 1 pm MT. Register here.
* Access recordings and presentations of all the webinars in this First Nations’ series here.
* Learn more about First Nations’ Leveraging Co-Management and Co-Stewardship project.
Tribal and Federal Employees: Join Us for Shared Horizons
Tribal and federal employees and representatives are invited to register now for the “Shared Horizons: Navigating Tribal Co-Stewardship and Co-Management Opportunities Conference.” Co-hosted by First Nations and Native American Rights Fund, the national co-learning event will provide trainings, space for sharing ideas and work, and networking opportunities to grow the field of tribal co-stewardship and co-management. Travel scholarships are available for tribal representatives and employees.
Learn more and register here!
Meet 2024 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow TJ Young
At 19, TJ Young (Kaigani Haida) carved his first totem pole with his brother, Joe. Just 7 feet tall, it was dedicated to his late grandmother. Today, the 2024 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow has etched a name for himself in Alaska as a gifted Haida carver of signature totem poles and canoes. In 2023, the brothers carved a 20-foot totem pole to honor Native Americans who endured boarding schools. Deb Haaland, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary, blessed the totem pole before it was raised in Anchorage. Through the years, Young has trained close to 20 apprentices. “I am passionate about keeping this art form alive and thriving for future generations.”
Read more about TJ Young’s accomplishments as a Haida carver.
How is California’s Farm to School Program Working for Schools?
As part of the Berkeley Food Institute’s Lunch & Learn webinar series on California’s Farm to School Program, next week presenters will share early evaluation findings on how K-12 school districts and Early Care and Education (ECE) grantees in California are using their grant funds to purchase from local and organic farmers, what success they are having, and the challenges they face. Also featured will be a case study examining the state investment’s influences on the farm to school supply chain, including the greatest facilitators and barriers to systemic change.
The webinar is Monday, October 28, 2024, at 1 pm MT. Register here.
New Resource on Strengthening Indigenous Food Sovereignty
First Nations is happy to share this new resource from community partners Tahoma Peak Solutions and Feed Seven Generations. As part of Native Grown and Gathered, a network-based project to connect Native people with Native foods and producers and strengthen Native-owned food companies, the downloadable publication features lists of food access resources and producers in Washington State, recipes, and links to podcasts, a story map, and curriculum portal. Through its ongoing work, the Native Grown and Gathered team aims to foster connections with Native food producers, share their stories, accentuate their strengths, and identify the gaps in opportunities and technical assistance available to these business owners.
We’re also happy to share that Tahoma Peak Solutions has launched the Native Plants & Foods Institute, along with long-time collaborators from GRuB’s Wild Foods & Medicines Program. The Native Plants & Foods Institute will continue to develop place-based educational resources, teacher trainings, and workshops that connect people with Northwest plants, cultural ecosystems, and the rich traditions that surround them. Watch the video.
