First Nations Development Institute

ɬu l̕ es ʕistčy še i qmqim u epsk̓ʷɬʕc̓x̌ncut, qʕ es lemtm ɬu syʕʷyʕʷots qɁ x̌ʷlč̓musšn u qʕes nlemlmlsy t st̕ulyxʷ u t qʕnple. ɬu t sʕstčmnuxʷ u qʕ es nɬkʷk̓ʷɬulls ɬu qʕ es qʷecɬls t nk̓ʷelyxʷ u ɬu qʕ nšy̓tusɬls t qlyxʷɬnk̓ʷul̕mn. kʷmiɁ i kʷ qmqemt u i kʷ yʕʷyʕʷot u i x̌e syʕ̓mncut ye l̕ sʕstčmnuxʷ. – Nsélišcn, a Salish dialect, translated by Tachini Pete. Translation: As the winter days bring rest and reflection, we give thanks for the strength of our ancestors, and the gratitude we hold for the land and one another. This season reminds us of the warmth of community and the traditions that guide us forward. Wishing you peace, strength, and togetherness this holiday season. Happy Holidays from the Board and Staff of First Nations Development Institute! Learn more about "Winter Gatherings" and artist Paige Pettibon: https://bit.ly/3VNjDOs

First Nations’ offices will be closed December 25 - January 2 to give staff time to celebrate the season with friends and family. All messages received by First Nations will be returned starting January 2, 2025. We look forward to returning recharged for a strong New Year, ready to serve Native communities. Happy holidays to you all and thank you for being part of First Nations’ family!

All First Nations’ staff were in Longmont, Colorado, this month to share highlights of our new five-year strategic plan and cement best practices in cross-program alignment and building capacity to better meet our mission. We took time out to celebrate the season at our holiday party with our annual book exchange and “Ugly Holiday Sweater” contest. All of us at First Nations value this time together, and we thank First Nations’ leadership for creating these regular convenings and traditions. Special thanks to First Nations’ artist friend Gordon Coons for contributing his talent to our staff t-shirts!

Through the Tribal Land Conservation Fund, First Nations is supporting Native communities working to protect and steward native species. Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is just one example. With support from First Nations’ TLC Fund, the commission, made up of 33 federally recognized tribes, is advancing traditional practices to protect chinook, coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon. With the investment of donors like you who care about ecological and community health, they are advocating for stricter bycatch management to ensure that salmon populations increase and can be harvested for the next seven generations. There is no time to waste. Join our movement to uplift Native people and their time-tested practices of caring for our Earth. Give now so your gift can be doubled dollar-for-dollar and make 2X the impact: https://lnkd.in/gbqNe6N5

Made possible through a three-year grant from the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service – Local Food Promotion Program, First Nations’ Native Food Producers Serving Indian Country project is supporting grassroots Native food sovereignty collaborators in growing their farming and ranching operations. Featured here is Navajo farmer Ed Miles Harvey, of Chinli, Arizona, one of the 13 community partners receiving financial and technical assistance through the project. His work planting fruit and cottonwood trees is advancing business relationships and food safety for his tribe. Learn more about our Native Food Producers Serving Indian Country project: https://bit.ly/4fqHcU8

This week, First Nations released two groundbreaking reports exposing the lack of investment and representation of Native Americans in the nation’s philanthropic sector. 🟠 Native Americans and Board Representation on America’s Largest Foundations: Only 7% of large U.S. foundations have Native American board representation, and Native Americans make up just 0.8% of foundation board members. The report calls for increased Native representation across the sector: https://bit.ly/41CoZ31 🟠 On the Matter of Foundation Giving: Foundation giving to Native causes remains less than 1% of total philanthropy. Data reveals the need for more accurate tracking of funds supporting Native communities. The report emphasizes the critical role of Native-led organizations in driving local change and revitalizing Native nations: https://bit.ly/4fmBpyU

First Nations’ #BringBackTheNative campaign invites you to join us in restoring ecosystems by donating to the Tribal Lands Conservation Fund (TLC Fund). But we’re not just raising money — we’re raising awareness of the importance of Native stewardship practices, deeply connected to place and often shared through stories. This week, we’re spotlighting "Aloha Everything," a children’s book about a young girl discovering aloha—to give love, compassion, and honor to everyone and everything around you – through the traditional Hawaiian storytelling dance of hula. Watch author Kaylin Melia George (Native Hawaiian) share how “Aloha Everything” passes down the origin story of Hawaii and the importance of honoring our traditional ways. Then take action—support Native-led stewardship by donating to the TLC Fund and helping heal our lands, waters, and communities: https://lnkd.in/gbqNe6N5

Last week, First Nations released findings from our latest study contending that Native American voters remained largely absent in the pre-election discussions by election experts and pundits due to nearly no credible data available for the Native American electorate. While many national survey findings and takeaways have been reported in the wake of the 2024 election, the 2024 American Electorate Voter Poll conducted by African American Research Collaborative (AARC) and BSP Research reflects the most accurate data specific to Native Americans available. Miss the event? Access the presentation materials and recording: https://lnkd.in/gg4x4tFH

THIS WEEK: Federally recognized Indian tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and qualified nonprofits focused on conservation are invited to join First Nations and the U.S. Forest Service for online office hours on the Community Forest Program (CFP) on December 12, 2024, at 1 pm MT. An overview of the CFP will be provided, and participant questions will be addressed. Register: https://bit.ly/4inGt9j The CFP offers a competitive grant opportunity that provides matching funds to purchase forested lands for a community forest. Applications are due to state foresters or equivalent tribal government officials by January 13, 2025. Read more about the program: https://bit.ly/49yz1Ut First Nations has small capacity grants of up to $10,000 and technical assistance to support tribal applications to the CFP. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4coHbz1

National Native American Heritage Month has officially ended, but at First Nations, we acknowledge and honor Native cultures and vibrancy year-round. Join us for two more events to keep the celebration and learning going. 🟠 Tuesday, December 10: In Webinar 3, Director at The Pueblo of Jemez Department of Education Kevin Shendo (Pueblo of Jemez) will share share the story and work of the Jemez school system. Register: https://bit.ly/4ilPrnr 🟠 Monday, December 16: In Webinar 4, First Nations’ JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) and First Nations’ President and CEO Michael Roberts (Tlingit) will discuss our language and cultural projects occurring nationally and within New Mexico’s Pueblo communities. Register: https://bit.ly/4grVXqN