Project

Nurturing Future Ancestors

When Native youth have access to their land and culture, their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health outcomes are better. First Nations’ Nurturing Future Ancestors project ensures Native youth are provided opportunities that promote this access. This project supports tribal and Native-led youth programming opportunities for youth to learn about traditional knowledge and stewardship practices.

In 2024, Stewarding Native Lands piloted the inaugural Nurturing Future Ancestors project and awarded nine grants to support development and employment of Native youth.

This project was made possible through funding from a generous anonymous donor and First Nations’ Tribal Lands Conservation Fund.

 

 


Spotlight on Community Partner: Medicine Fish

Medicine Fish aims to enhance the quality of life for Native youth by revitalizing their cultural connection to self and Mother Earth. In November 2025, they demonstrated their steadfast commitment to future generations by reintroducing 10 buffalo head on tribal land. Buffalo, an ecocultural species, is central to tribal identity, culture, ceremony, and livelihoods, and Medicine Fish is upholding their stewardship responsibility by restoring Menominee youths’ relationship with these sacred relatives. This momentous achievement was made possible in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council.

Awarded Grants

2026

Sustaining the Center for Native Health's Youth Conservation Clubs

2026 Sustaining the Center for Native Health's Youth Conservation Clubs

$60,000
The Center for Native Health INC nc Created with Sketch. Cherokee, NC

Description

Through this project the Youth Conservation Clubs will empower Indigenous youth to strengthen stewardship through cultural knowledge, place-based conservation activities, and community engagement. The clubs foster commitment to protecting natural resources while honoring relationships with the land.

2024

Youth Guardians: Indigenous Stewardship for a Sustainable Future

2024 Youth Guardians: Indigenous Stewardship for a Sustainable Future

$110,000
Kake Tribal Heritage Foundation ak Created with Sketch. Kake, AK

Community Partners

Organized Village of Kake

Description

Our project aims to create sustainable job opportunities for Indigenous youth while fostering climate resilience in our community. By cultivating stewardship practices, we empower young leaders to manage local resources effectively, increase community engagement, and leverage traditional knowledge to address the climate crisis and protect our environment for future generations.

2024

Expanding Shellfish Gardens Through Youth Engagement in Keex Kwaan

2024 Expanding Shellfish Gardens Through Youth Engagement in Keex Kwaan

$110,616
Organized Village of Kake (OVK) ak Created with Sketch. Kake, AK

Community Partners

Organized Village of Kake

Description

This project will support a third year of leveraging funding to increase the impact of our shellfish garden program to create and retain jobs that support climate preparedness utilizing education, training, monitoring, and strategic planning.

2024

Hāʻena Youth Summer Biocultural Internship

2024 Hāʻena Youth Summer Biocultural Internship

$60,000
Hui Maka'ainana o Makana hi Created with Sketch. Hanalei, HI

Description

This project will bolster the youth biocultural internship program with a new curriculum and travel opportunity for twelve interns to connect with other Native Hawaiian-led organizations doing community-led stewardship

2024

Bering Strait Youth Partnerships in Sustainable Energy and Food Security

2024 Bering Strait Youth Partnerships in Sustainable Energy and Food Security

$110,000
Kawerak, Incorporated ak Created with Sketch. Nome, AK

Community Partners

Inter-Tribal

Description

This project will address and prepare for the impacts of climate change that greatly affect our region, by increasing our operational capacity, retaining and continuing our sustainable energy initiatives, and supporting food security education in the Bering Strait Region.

2024

Advancing Youth Leadership Opportunities in Conservation and Cultural Resources

2024 Advancing Youth Leadership Opportunities in Conservation and Cultural Resources

$60,000
The Center for Native Health INC nc Created with Sketch. Cherokee, NC

Description

This project will support a Junior North American Women's Association Club that is focusing on conservation that is working in collaboration with Elohi Dinigatiyi "Earth Keepers," Elders advisory group.

2024

Tribal Alliance for Pollinators: Connecting and Restoring to Mitigate Climate Change Impact on Indigenous Youth

2024 Tribal Alliance for Pollinators: Connecting and Restoring to Mitigate Climate Change Impact on Indigenous Youth

$60,000
Learning Center at the Euchee Butterfly Farm Inc ok Created with Sketch. Bixby, OK

Community Partners

Inter-Tribal

Description

This project will increase local capacity and restore grassland ecosystem health by leveraging and expanding Tribal Alliance for Pollinators (TAP) native plant restoration program and the TAP prescribed burn association, which will prevent erosion, improve soil health, and reduce wildfire risk, and also provide an opportunity for youth conservation training.

2024

Hualapai Youth Empowerment Through Traditions

2024 Hualapai Youth Empowerment Through Traditions

$60,000
Hualapai Department of Cultural Resources az Created with Sketch. Peach Springs, AZ

Description

Project Purpose The project will create and retain cultural specific events for youth to learn the Hualapai language and culture and provide them with skills to incorporate and continue to practice in their daily lives.

2024

Buffalo Restoration

2024 Buffalo Restoration

$60,000
Medicine Fish Corporation wi Created with Sketch. Gresham, WI

Community Partners

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

Description

Restoring Buffalo to the land, enhances biodiversity. As a keystone species, Buffalo positively influence ecosystems. Educating future leaders on their ecological significance fosters a symbiotic relationship with nature. Leveraging this relationship, alongside controlled fire practices, harmonizes land stewardship and ecological conservation for the benefit of the Earth.

2024

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Education and Outreach Program

2024 Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Education and Outreach Program

$60,000
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society co Created with Sketch. Northglenn, CO

Community Partners

Inter-Tribal

Description

Project Purpose The project will strengthen, build and sustain education / outreach programs through obtaining needed equipment/supplies, increasing student participation and applications, developing operations plans, increasing organizational visibility, piloting a mentorship program, assisting Tribal Hunter Ed programs and completing evaluations.

2023

Ghost Hawk Playground

2023 Ghost Hawk Playground

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

Community Partners

Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota

Description

This project will help create a family friendly a safe atmosphere at Ghost Hawk Park where the outdoors and recreational activities can be enjoyed. Providing programming for youth to participate in recreational activities such as camping, swimming, playground, frisbee golf, and a hiking trail will benefit cultural and community health.