Project

Community Navigator Project

Addressing Barriers to Help Provide Individual Support to Tribes and Communities

Tribes and Native communities have been managing their natural resources and stewarding their lands in accordance with their cultural values and traditional practices for millennia. Although these are their inherent rights, many Native peoples are still fighting for access and authority. Historically unjust policies and systems have been used in an attempt to sever the close connection between Native peoples, communities, and their lands.

To this day, Tribes and Native communities must navigate a multitude of complex political and administrative challenges to manage their natural resources and access their lands. Underinvestment and lack of proactive relationship-building by the federal government further exacerbates Tribally- and community-led efforts to manage, protect, and steward ancestral lands.

To address these barriers, First Nations Development Institute is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to serve as a Community Navigator. In this role, First Nations is conducting outreach and supporting engagement of Tribes and Native-led organizations in USFS Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and related Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) programs and opportunities. As IRA and BIL federal opportunities become available, it is necessary to ensure that Tribes and Native communities are informed of and have the support to access and fully participate in them to advance their land stewardship goals and priorities.


For more information:

  • Sign up for This Week at First Nations for email project updates and opportunities
  • Contact Leiloni Begaye at lbegaye@firstnations.org
  • Learn more about First Nations’ other USFS partnerships to Fortify our Forests (Community Forest and Landscape-Scale Restoration Programs and Opportunities)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.


 

As a Community Navigator, First Nations is providing:

Technical Assistance – consultants with relevant expertise and cultural competency can assist with strategic planning, feasibility assessments, grant writing, project and grant management training, project planning, and more.

 

 

 

Capacity Support Grants (up to $50,000) – funds will support capacity building to engage in USFS IRA and BIL funding opportunities and programs.

Eligible Tribes and Native-led organizations can apply for up to $50,000 in capacity support funding. These grants can be used to cover costs associated with building capacity such as strategic planning, feasibility assessments, grant writing, project and grant management training, development of conservation strategies, and more. Access the Capacity Support Grant Application.

2025 Recipients of the Community Navigator Capacity Support Grants:

  • Burns-Paiute Tribe, Burns, OR
  • Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians, Tollhouse, CA
  • Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fountain Hills, AZ
  • Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Usk, WA
  • Organized Village of Kake, Kake, AK
  • Pueblo of Jemez, Jemez Pueblo, NM
  • Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Sault Sainte Marie, MI
  • Tule River Tribe of California, Porterville, CA
  • Yurok Tribe, Klamath, CA

 

Webinars and Presentations – these offerings will spread awareness of resources and information related to engaging with the USFS and will prioritize topics most relevant to Tribes and Native-led organizations.

 

 

 

Office Hours – “Office Hours” will be held to discuss ideas and answer questions related to the Tribal Access to Emerging Private Markets for Forest Resilience or Climate Mitigation opportunity. The opportunity is designed to address Tribal-led forest resilience, climate mitigation, water quality, and carbon sequestration efforts. Up to $2 million per project is earmarked for Tribes to develop forest management plans, establish demonstration sites, and prioritize biodiversity protection. The grant deadline has been extended to September 30, 2024

 

Publications and Resource Guides – curated materials will increase awareness of the USFS IRA and BIL opportunities and how to access them.

 

 

 

 


 

Capacity Support Grant Application

Ready to get started? Apply today through the Capacity Support Grant Application.

Apply Now

Awarded Grants

2026

Increasing Tribal Land Restoration Capacity Through Staffing

2026 Increasing Tribal Land Restoration Capacity Through Staffing

$50,000
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe sd Created with Sketch. Lower Brule, SD

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity and supports tribal leadership's efforts in cross-agency management of native habitats and culturally important natural resources on reservation and adjacent U.S. Forest Service lands.

2026

Kavja American Indian Cultural Center Revitalization Project

2026 Kavja American Indian Cultural Center Revitalization Project

$50,000
Tataviam Land Conservancy ca Created with Sketch. San Fernando, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds capacity of the Conservancy, the co-managers of the Redbox Ranger Station, to engage with U.S. Forest Service programs for support in advancing tribal stewardship and land management through co-management visioning, feasibility assessments, and capacity building.

2026

Taos Pueblo Fuels Program Initiative

2026 Taos Pueblo Fuels Program Initiative

$50,000
Pueblo of Taos nm Created with Sketch. Taos, NM

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports collaboration and relationship building between Taos Pueblo and the U.S. Forest Service. This project also creates opportunities for capacity building through community engagement and increases capacity to pursue federal funding opportunities.

2026

Restoring Tribal Stewardship: Capacity Building for Newly Acquired Tribal Forest Lands

2026 Restoring Tribal Stewardship: Capacity Building for Newly Acquired Tribal Forest Lands

$50,000
Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians sc Created with Sketch. Summerville, SC

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to steward 200 acres of newly acquired tribal land, including 100+ forested acres through conservation planning, grant development, and administrative systems that enable the tribe to pursue U.S. Forest Service funding opportunities.

2026

Building Organizational Capacity for Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Stewardship in the Kusilvak Region

2026 Building Organizational Capacity for Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Stewardship in the Kusilvak Region

$50,000
Kusilvak Rising, Inc. ak Created with Sketch. Anchorage, AK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds Kusilvak Rising's capacity to engage federal partners and pursue U.S. Forest Service funding that supports Native leadership; climate adaptation; and sustainable stewardship of land, water, and subsistence resources in the Kusilvak region.

2026

Strengthening Operational Capacity for Sustainable Forestry and Enterprise Growth

2026 Strengthening Operational Capacity for Sustainable Forestry and Enterprise Growth

$50,000
Menominee Tribal Enterprises wi Created with Sketch. Neopit, WI

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project strengthens Menominee Tribal Enterprises’ operational capacity through expanded administrative infrastructure and coordination efforts that enhance strategic planning, compliance, and project management to sustain forestry resources and drive efficient, long-term economic growth.

2026

Continuity Staffing to Support the Tribally-led Land Stewardship Crew

2026 Continuity Staffing to Support the Tribally-led Land Stewardship Crew

$50,000
California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project ca Created with Sketch. Nevada City, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project preserves, protects, and perpetuates Nisenan culture through the formation of a tribally- led land stewardship crew that will return beneficial fire to tribal lands. This project supports the capacity of the land stewardship crew.

2026

Our Forests, Our Future: Tribal Stewardship Planning for the Jilkáat Kwáan

2026 Our Forests, Our Future: Tribal Stewardship Planning for the Jilkáat Kwáan

$50,000
Chilkat Indian Village ak Created with Sketch. Klukwan, AK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports planning efforts that aim to protect Chilkat Indian Village’s traditional territory and cultural resources. This project supports the creation of a community-guided Tribal Stewardship Plan and builds capacity for pursuing U.S. Forest Service funding and agreements.

2025

North Fork Nooksack Ancestral Lands Co-Stewardship Initiative

2025 North Fork Nooksack Ancestral Lands Co-Stewardship Initiative

$50,000
Nooksack Indian Tribe wa Created with Sketch. Deming, WA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project strengthens Nooksack capacity to engage with U.S. Forest Service programs, expand government-to-government collaboration, support co-stewardship efforts, and cultivate agreements that protect culturally significant ancestral lands for future generations.

2025

Organization Strength Project

2025 Organization Strength Project

$50,000
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation sd Created with Sketch. Porcupine, SD

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports organizational capacity to pursue and manage U.S. Forest Service funding. This project will strengthen land stewardship and cultural revitalization across tribal homelands.

2025

Dot Lake Village Environmental Protection

2025 Dot Lake Village Environmental Protection

$50,000
Dot Lake Village ak Created with Sketch. Fairbanks, AK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports planning and training efforts that advance climate and wildfire readiness. This project will build staff capacity to engage with the U.S. Forest Service, support emergency preparedness, and cultural resource protection.

2025

Tribal capacity building, consultation, and contracting with USFS

2025 Tribal capacity building, consultation, and contracting with USFS

$50,000

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports the tribe's partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to protect cultural sites through the reintroduction of Indigenous stewardship practices that support forest and waterway health. This project will strengthen cultural resource protections.

2025

MGIHA Forest Stewardship Capacity Building Initiative

2025 MGIHA Forest Stewardship Capacity Building Initiative

$50,000
Mesa Grande Indian Housing Authority ca Created with Sketch. Santa Ysabel, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project strengthens organizational capacity to pursue and manage U.S. Forest Service funding. This project will establish a path for expanding cultural stewardship and climate resilience across tribal homelands through strategic planning, funding alignment, and system readiness. 

2025

Shoalwater Bay Tribal Forestry Program

2025 Shoalwater Bay Tribal Forestry Program

$50,000
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe wa Created with Sketch. Tokeland, WA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds organizational capacity to steward 3,000 acres of tribal lands. It will support engagement with U.S. Forest Service and contribute to long-term stewardship planning.

2025

Paving the Way for Mattaponi Environmental Success: Capacity Building, Strategic Planning, and Feasibility Studies

2025 Paving the Way for Mattaponi Environmental Success: Capacity Building, Strategic Planning, and Feasibility Studies

$50,000
Mattaponi Indian Tribe va Created with Sketch. West Point, VA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to pursue U.S. Forest Service funding opportunities, develop partnerships, and implement long-term traditional stewardship practices. This project will also strengthen organizational capacity for grant development and strategic planning. 

2025

Grants Management for Forestry Programs

2025 Grants Management for Forestry Programs

$50,000
Rappahannock Tribe, Inc. va Created with Sketch. Indian Neck, VA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds organizational capacity to pursue U.S. Forest Service funding opportunities that support community-led stewardship. It will support grant development, stewardship planning, and collaboration with federal partners.

2025

Pit River Native Plant Greenhouse Phase II: Building Capacity for Food Sovereignty and Ecological Stewardship

2025 Pit River Native Plant Greenhouse Phase II: Building Capacity for Food Sovereignty and Ecological Stewardship

$50,000
Pit River Tribe ca Created with Sketch. Burney, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to engage with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal partners through staff development planning and coordination. It will support natural resource management and long-term stewardship priorities.

2025

Blackfeet Eco Knowledge Capacity Building

2025 Blackfeet Eco Knowledge Capacity Building

$50,000
Blackfeet Eco Knowledge Inc. mt Created with Sketch. Browning, MT

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports analysis of stewardship strategies grounded in Blackfeet values, which will guide the organizational pursuit of land acquisition and co-stewardship opportunities with tribal, local, state, and federal partners, including the U.S. Forest Service.

2025

Kiowa Firewood & Resilience Program

2025 Kiowa Firewood & Resilience Program

$50,000
Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma ok Created with Sketch. Carnegie, OK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project will support tribal capacity to reduce hazardous fuels, address community heating needs, and deepen collaboration with the US Forest Service. By coordinating firewood harvesting and distribution, the project will enhance community safety and support cultural continuity across the Tribe. 

2025

Launching Tribal Firewood Program for Stewardship, Economic Development, and Building Federal Collaborations

2025 Launching Tribal Firewood Program for Stewardship, Economic Development, and Building Federal Collaborations

$50,000
Coeur D'Alene Tribe id Created with Sketch. Plummer, ID

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports the tribe's partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and its programs. This project will support the development of a firewood program that integrates cultural stewardship, climate-smart forest management, and sustainable business development.

2025

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Growing Tribal Economies

2025 Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Growing Tribal Economies

$50,000
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe wa Created with Sketch. Snoqualmie, WA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports tribal capacity to engage with U.S. Forest Service programs, support forest planning, and explore emerging forest market opportunities including carbon projects.

2025

Assessing, creating and enacting co-stewardship agreements and practices between the Pueblo of Nambe and Santa Fe National Forest.

2025 Assessing, creating and enacting co-stewardship agreements and practices between the Pueblo of Nambe and Santa Fe National Forest.

$50,000
Pueblo of Nambe nm Created with Sketch. Santa Fe, NM

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project expands organizational capacity to support the revitalized traditional use of 45,000 acres of Sante Fe National Forest lands. It will support partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service through co-stewardship, and long-term forest stewardship opportunities.

2025

MWT Land Stewardship Capacity Building Project

2025 MWT Land Stewardship Capacity Building Project

$50,000
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe ma Created with Sketch. Mashpee, MA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project strengthens the tribe’s fire management program through a comprehensive review of tribal lands and engagement with the U.S. Forest Service. This project will build staff and organizational capacity, support cultural resource protection, and community safety.

2025

Modoc Nation HOMELANDS Strategic Capacity Building

2025 Modoc Nation HOMELANDS Strategic Capacity Building

$50,000
Modoc Nation ok Created with Sketch. Miami, OK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds organizational capacity to engage with U.S. Forest Service funding opportunities, aligns stewardship priorities across departments, and supports long-term forest stewardship efforts through improved systems.

2025

White Salmon River Riparian Lands Conservation and Stewardship Strategy

2025 White Salmon River Riparian Lands Conservation and Stewardship Strategy

$50,000
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation wa Created with Sketch. Toppenish, WA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports the integration of traditional knowledge and science-based restoration approaches into a comprehensive land stewardship plan. This project will also strengthen capacity to pursue funding opportunities and collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service.

2025

Spirit Lake Forest Restoration Project

2025 Spirit Lake Forest Restoration Project

$50,000
Salamatof Tribe ak Created with Sketch. Soldotna, AK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds organizational capacity to support technical planning, forest restoration, and wildfire preparedness. It will support engagement with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal partnerships.

2025

Restorative Stewardship of the White Mountain Apache Eastern Border with the US Forest Service

2025 Restorative Stewardship of the White Mountain Apache Eastern Border with the US Forest Service

$50,000
White Mountain Apache Tribe az Created with Sketch. Whiteriver, AZ

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to support community-led research and pursue U.S. Forest Service funding for forest stewardship.

2025

Expanding Engagement to Increase Indigenous Stewardship of Forest Service Lands

2025 Expanding Engagement to Increase Indigenous Stewardship of Forest Service Lands

$50,000
Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California ca Created with Sketch. Oroville, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project expands organizational capacity to develop agreements and partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service. This work will contribute to cultural site restoration, forest stewardship, and collaboration across multiple National Forests.

2025

South Fork Stillaguamish Vegetation Management

2025 South Fork Stillaguamish Vegetation Management

$50,000
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians wa Created with Sketch. Arlington, WA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports tribal capacity to collaborate with the U.S. Forest Service on forest stewardship to enhance wildlife habitat and reflect tribal values. It will support engagement in federal planning and funding opportunities.

2025

Generating

2025 Generating

$50,000
Penobscot Indian Nation me Created with Sketch. Indian Island, ME

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project expands organizational capacity to support forestry stewardship across more than 128,000 acres of tribal lands. It will support engagement with U.S. Forest Service opportunities, youth learning opportunities, and sustain co-management and forest stewardship efforts.

2025

North Fork Mono Tribe – Grant Title

2025 North Fork Mono Tribe – Grant Title

$50,000
North Fork Mono Tribe ca Created with Sketch. Clovis, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to pursue U.S. Forest Service funding by building internal infrastructure and administrative systems. This project will strengthen grant management, support effective planning, and increase engagement with federal partners.

2025

GIS Program Capacity Building

2025 GIS Program Capacity Building

$50,000
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe mn Created with Sketch. Cass Lake, MN

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports tribal capacity to pursue U.S. Forest Service partnerships and funding opportunities that align with Ojibwe land values. This project will support the protection, restoration, and stewardship of Leech Lake forested homelands.

2025

Data collecting of site for potental fire danger

2025 Data collecting of site for potental fire danger

$50,000
Crow Tribe of Montana mt Created with Sketch. Crow Agency, MT

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports efforts to improve wildlife planning through place-based data collection and community informed decision making. This work will strengthen collaboration with U.S. Forest Service programs in fire response and mitigation.

2025

Angoon Cooperative Agreement for Admiralty Island

2025 Angoon Cooperative Agreement for Admiralty Island

$50,000
Angoon Community Association ak Created with Sketch. Angoon, AK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports tribal land management by building organizational capacity and grants development. This will enable the tribe to pursue funding opportunities with the U.S. Forest Service, strengthen collaboration and support forest stewardship health.

2025

Building Capacity for Better Collaboration

2025 Building Capacity for Better Collaboration

$50,000
Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, California ca Created with Sketch. Porterville, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to promote planning for post Windy Fire cultural site restoration and post fire recovery efforts. The project will support the pursuit of biological surveys, trainings, and coordinated recovery planning with the U.S. Forest Service.

2025

Yurok Tribe capacity assistance to improve collaboration with the US Forest Service

2025 Yurok Tribe capacity assistance to improve collaboration with the US Forest Service

$50,000
Yurok Tribe ca Created with Sketch. Klamath, CA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to engage with U.S. Forest Service programs that align with their Tribal Climate Adaptation Plan. This project also supports stewardship and the protection of culturally significant information and landscapes.

2025

Keex Kwaan Community Navigator Project

2025 Keex Kwaan Community Navigator Project

$50,000
Organized Village of Kake (OVK) ak Created with Sketch. Kake, AK

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports capacity of Tribal Natural Resources staff to engage with U.S. Forest Service programs and to develop strategic funding plans. This project will strengthen partnerships with the newly formed Tribal Conservation District.

2025

Rangeland Ecologist and U.S. Forest Service Grant-Writing Capacity Support

2025 Rangeland Ecologist and U.S. Forest Service Grant-Writing Capacity Support

$50,000
Burns Paiute Tribe or Created with Sketch. Burns, OR

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project will support the Burns Paiute Tribe to manage tribal rangelands by funding a Rangeland Ecologist position and grant-writing services. This project will support staff time, travel, supplies, and future grant development. It will enable the Tribe to secure USFS funding, strengthen collaboration and ensure ecological, cultural, and economic sustainability.

2025

Co-Stewardship Implementation by the Kalispel Tribe and USFS on the East Zone of the Colville National Forest.

2025 Co-Stewardship Implementation by the Kalispel Tribe and USFS on the East Zone of the Colville National Forest.

$50,000
Kalispel Tribe of Indians wa Created with Sketch. Usk, WA

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project builds tribal capacity to reduce hazardous fuels, meet community heating needs, and engage with the U.S. Forest Service. This project will strengthen community safety, support cultural continuity, and tribal stewardship.

2024

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Community Wildfire Defense Project

2024 Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Community Wildfire Defense Project

$50,000
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation az Created with Sketch. Fountain Hills, AZ

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports the development of a comprehensive wildfire risk assessment. This project will build tribal capacity to engage with the U.S. Forest Service and other state, federal, and nonprofit partners.

2024

Sault Tribe Forest Stewardship in Emerging Markets

2024 Sault Tribe Forest Stewardship in Emerging Markets

$50,000
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians mi Created with Sketch. Sault Ste Marie, MI

Community Partners

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan

Funding Area

Focus Area Stewardship

Description

This project supports organizational capacity for carbon and biodiversity monitoring on tribal and adjacent lands. It will support engagement with U.S. Forest Service partnerships and emerging forest markets opportunities.