Native Americans in Philanthropy

Throughout Indian Country, the realities of capitalism are evident in our communities and within the philanthropic sector. The achievements of Indigenous peoples, businesses, and Native Nations reflect the resilience and innovation carried forward by our ancestors. Engaging in business development and effectively implementing it is a demonstration of sovereignty in practice. Utilizing this strategy for the advancement of our people and communities is essential to protecting and preserving our culture, knowledge, and traditions for the next seven generations. Please join us on Wednesday, July 24 at 1:00 pm ET for a very special economic development conversation delving into the distinct roles of government and philanthropy. The discussion will begin with Treasurer of the United States, Chief Lynn Malerba (Mohegan), and NAP’s CEO, Erik R. Stegman (Carry the Kettle First Nation - Nakoda). This encompassing conversation will be immediately followed by a conversation between Chris James (Eastern Cherokee), President of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and NAFOA’s President, Chairman Rodney Butler (Mashantucket Pequot). Register today at https://bit.ly/napmember19 for this special session and get your questions ready. Let's Stay Connected! 1) SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to stay informed about other NAP videos. 2) Turn On YouTube Notifications to get alerts whenever we go live or upload new content. 3) Connect with NAP on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn at @NativeGiving.

“Who better than these organizations to advocate for their own communities? They know what the problems are—we don’t. We’re philanthropy, we’re sitting 30,000 feet [away], truly. Organizations that are on the ground know what’s happening. They’re in touch with their communities, and they know what needs to be done.” —Susie Sands, Vice President of the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation Philanthropy is changing. More and more, we are seeing foundations experimenting with their standard practices in order to better and more directly support the communities they seek to serve. The winning strategy? Let organizations working on the ground take the lead. At the “Democracy is Indigenous: Civic Engagement & Relationship Based Funding” breakout session at our 2024 Annual Conference, Susie Sands shared how the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation is investing in Native and AAPI communities across 28 states. By allowing local nonprofits to advocate for and execute innovative ideas, they have seen rapid and dramatic improvements across all the communities they financially support. Philanthropy has the tools; we have the knowledge. Together, we can generate the greatest impact for our communities. #NAPCON #NAPCON2024 #Philanthropy #NativePhilanthropy #Nonprofit #NativeNonprofit #NativeLed #WeAreIndigenous #Native #NativeAmerican #Indigenous

“The forces of colonization seek to separate us at every turn. They separate us from the land, from each other, from our power. But the efforts that we’re talking about here—for reparations and repair—do not allow us to be pit against each other and be trapped in scarcity mindsets that lead us to forget the abundance that is all of our birthright.” —Dr. Amber Banks for “Member Education Sessions: Regarding Reparations” The histories of Native Americans and African Americans are distinct, but closely interconnected. We both have suffered at the hands of colonization and white supremacy, and we are both greatly owed for centuries of loss, be it land, resources, or loved ones. Research from Candid reveals that African Americans receive roughly 2% of overall philanthropic funding in the United States; for Native Americans, it’s roughly 0.4%. Not only do these slivers of philanthropic dollars fail to compensate for stolen fortunes, but they create a fabricated scarcity mindset that distracts us from our ultimate goal: Reparations. The war against colonization and white supremacy will not be won by disparate racial factions; we MUST come together as a united front to restore our birthright. Hear more from Dr. Amber Banks by watching “Member Education Sessions: Regarding Reparations” ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eaaT8ZyC #Reparations #LandBack #Colonization #IndigenousHistory #NativeHistory #USHistory #RacialJustice #SocialJustice #AfricanAmerican #NativeAmerican #Philanthropy #NativePhilanthropy #NativeNonprofit #Indigenous #Native #WeAreIndigenous

This Wednesday, July 24 at 1:00 pm ET, our “Member Education Sessions: Economic Development in Indian Country” goes LIVE! 🎉 Join us for a very special economic development conversation delving into the distinct roles of government and philanthropy. The discussion will begin with the Treasurer of the United States, Chief Lynn Malerba (Mohegan), and NAP’s CEO, Erik R. Stegman (Carry the Kettle First Nation - Nakoda). This encompassing conversation will be immediately followed by a conversation between Chris James (Eastern Cherokee), President of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and NAFOA’s President, Chairman Rodney Butler (Mashantucket Pequot). Don’t wait—register today! ➡️ bit.ly/napmember19 #Philanthropy #EconomicDevelopment #NativeAmerican #USTreasury #USGovernment #NativePhilanthropy #NativeNonprofit #Indigenous #Native #WeAreIndigenous

For too long, conservation efforts have favored Western knowledge over Indigenous knowledge, despite our Peoples being stewards of land, waters, and wildlife since time immemorial. Now, with the Biden administration advancing its America the Beautiful challenge, our Indigenous knowledge is more critical than ever to restoring our land. ⁠ ⁠ Here are five ways scientists, NGOs, and governments can support Indigenous-led conservation:⁠ ⁠ ☀️ Invite Indigenous identity into conservation work⁠ 🌊 Lift up Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge⁠ 🌼 Center Indigenous values in conservation⁠ 🌿 Help Indigenous peoples achieve the responsibilities they carry⁠ 🦋 Support Tribal and Indigenous advocacy⁠ ⁠ Hear from Indigenous conservation leaders—including NAP’s Director of Environmental & Special Projects, Joel Moffett (Nez Perce)—about how governments and conservation organizations can engage meaningfully with our Indigenous communities to protect nature ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eR7sj5r7 ⁠ #Conservation #GlobalWarming #IndigenousWisdom #AmericaTheBeautifulChallenge #NativeHeritage #NativeAmerican #Indigenous #IndigenousHeritage #Native #NativePhilanthropy #NativeVoices

Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Chairman Rodney Butler (Mashantucket Pequot), brings his extensive experience and knowledge on finance and Tribal economic growth to our upcoming Live broadcast, “Member Education Sessions: Economic Development in Indian Country”. As a Tribal leader of over twenty years, Chairman Rodney Butler has overseen multiple expansions of the Tribe’s Foxwoods Resort, spearheaded community development initiatives on the Reservation, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe Endowment Trust. His advocacy for the legalization of Sports Betting and iGaming in Connecticut significantly contributed to the Tribe’s economic growth. In 2017, Chairman Butler was appointed "Tribal Leader of the Year" by the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA), and he was recently appointed to the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, illustrating his dedication to advancing Native American interests and fostering community development at both local and national levels. On July 24 at 1:00 pm ET, Chairman Rodney Butler will join our Live panel discussion about the distinct roles of government and philanthropy within economic development. Join our LIVE online conversation by registering today ➡️ bit.ly/napmember19 #Philanthropy #EconomicDevelopment #NativeAmerican #USTreasury #USGovernment #NativePhilanthropy #NativeNonprofit #Indigenous #Native #WeAreIndigenous

We’re here to save the buffalo 🦬 In a new, historic alliance between @InterTribal Buffalo Council, @The Nature Conservancy, @World Wildlife Fund, and Native Americans in Philanthropy, the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration will stabilize, establish, and expand Tribal-led buffalo restoration, and foster cultural, spiritual, ecological, and economic revitalization within Native communities. “This collaboration marks a historic milestone in our journey to restore buffalo to Tribal lands and revitalize Indigenous lifeways. By uniting our efforts, we are not only fostering ecological and cultural renewal but also ensuring that the leadership and vision of Native communities are at the forefront of this crucial work. Together, we can honor our traditions but also pave the way for lasting economic and environmental benefits.” —Erik R. Stegman (Carry the Kettle First Nation - Nakoda), CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy We are immensely excited to be a part of this collaboration and we look forward to ensuring the success of buffalo rematriation. Visit tribalbuffalo.org to learn more. #Buffalo #TribalBuffalo #SaveTheBuffalo #AmericanBison #IndigenousHeritage #NativeHeritage #NativeAmerican #Indigenous #Native #Conservation #BuffaloRematriation #NativeLed #NativePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

It’s time to recognize Indigenous realities. ⁠ ⁠ What a lot of people know about Indigenous peoples is based on stereotypes, narrow views of history in our grade school textbooks, or stories in the media that advance similar narratives. Importantly, our voice as Native people is too often absent from how we’re portrayed. ⁠ ⁠ Let’s work together to uplift Native truths. Take a step to educate friends, families, and colleagues by sharing this post. ⁠ ⁠ #Native #NativeVoices #NativeAmerican #Indigenous #IndigenousPeople #WeAreIndigenous

We know that the future includes us—and that we include all that came before us. ⁠ ⁠ We are meant to know our languages, our plants, our medicines, and our traditions. We are meant to be in relationship with this land. We are meant to care for one another and to raise our children in security and safety with extended communities—many cousins, aunties, and uncles. We are meant to work with our hearts, our spirits, and our hands to create good works. We are meant to live with the rhythm of our planet and our homelands. We are meant to be a part of the seven generations that remembers the lessons of our ancestors. ⁠ ⁠ We are meant to lead with our entire being. ⁠ ⁠ #NativePhilanthropy #Philanthropy #NativeAmerican #WeAreIndigenous #Native #Indigenous #NativeVoices #NativeHeritage #IndigenousHeritage ⁠

“The state benefits from lands that were taken from Native people. Therefore, I think it has a proactive responsibility to enter into agreements, to provide resources, and to support the restoration of land to Tribes.” —Alvin Warren (Santa Clara Pueblo) for “Tribal Relations 101 for State Legislators 2024” Building relationships with Tribal Nations starts with acknowledging history. As discussed in previous broadcasts of our NAP & @National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Learning Series, states are painfully ignorant of Federal Indian Law, likely due to the misguided belief that only the federal government is responsible for Native reparations. In reality, states own, occupy, and greatly financially benefit from stolen Tribal land. With more partnership incentives than ever before, it’s up to state governments to first acknowledge their role in Native disenfranchisement before they can foster trust-based partnerships with Tribal Nations. Watch our latest broadcast, “NAP/NCEL Learning Series: Tribal Relations 101 for State Legislators 2024” to learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eJP2QRYg #Philanthropy #NativePhilanthropy #Indigenous #Native #NativeAmerican #NativeVoices #WeAreIndigenous #TribalSovereignty #FederalGovernment #Grants #StatePartnerships