Current Projects

Indigenous Partnership to Advance Native American Communities and Producers

First Nations launched the  Indigenous Partnership to Advance Native American Communities and Producers project in 2022 to bring together Native farmers and ranchers to coordinate services and resources to advance conservation, policy, advocacy, outreach, and education.

The project is designed to advance the efforts of Native American communities and producers through technical assistance, trainings, and grant funding.

This work is part of First Nations’ overall Stewarding Native Lands program and is made possible with support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS).

Through the project, First Nations is providing grants of $28,000 to select community partners to highlight the experience, knowledge, and resources of Native farmers and ranchers and their work in conservation and advancing conservation and agri-business strategies within their communities.

2023 Grantees

Alaska Village Initiatives

This project will improve upon and leverage online courses as part of the “Ag-in-a-Box” program that specifically addresses agricultural and food systems needs of rural Alaska. The “Ag-in-a-Box” program is a travel style classroom that works with five villages annually and is aimed at delivering agricultural education to villages, creating 15 new community gardens, and increasing the number of subsistence farmers in rural Alaska over a three-year span.

Nez Perce Tribe

This project will help increase the knowledge and awareness of the Nez Perce Fishing Department and its work for communities and tribal youth. The project will provide information through education and outreach initiatives, while generating interest in tribal youth to pursue careers within fisheries.

Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska

This project will help create opportunities for the Unalaska community to learn about and retain traditional ecological knowledge regarding ecosystem importance and conservation through the utilization of Indigenous harvesting methods and uses of kelp and seaweed.

Indian Nations Conservation Alliance (INCA)

This project will help INCA develop their tentative strategic plans by gathering their stakeholders/partners within tribal leadership and tribal-based organizations to define, refine, and plan the future of INCA. It will allow them to bring together various perspectives and opinions to facilitate new innovations and partnerships for their organization.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians

This project will initiate and build upon ongoing conservation activities relative to watershed restoration and air quality monitoring for tribal lands. Specifically, it will further a dam removal effort on the lower Oconaluftee River and expand air quality monitoring in accordance with culturally prescribed burns within community forests.

Pueblo of Acoma

This project will help ensure the creation and management of natural resource development efforts in order to have sustainable resources for future generations. The project will work to increase the knowledge and overview of range lands, agriculture, and natural resources for tribal youth and community members.