First Nations Development Institute

As we usher in a new year, we take one last look at the Annual Report for 2023, which is now showcased in a new, interactive version. The additional format provides an opportunity to bring the content further to life and shed more light on the amazing work of our community partners. Access the digital version here: https://bit.ly/4j1PNj9

In this final webinar in our extended celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, First Nations’ JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) and First Nations’ President and CEO Michael Roberts (Tlingit) will discuss First Nations’ language and cultural projects occurring nationally and within New Mexico’s Pueblo communities. Mike will share how these efforts are sustained and made possible thanks to the support of individual givers, local and national foundations, and corporations. Join us Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 2:30 pm. Register here: https://bit.ly/4grVXqN

kʷmiɁ i kʷ x̌est ci l̕ sic nk̓ʷspentč še kʷ epsyʕʷyʕʷot u kʷ epɬnp̓ʕxʷaqs. – Nsélišcn, a Salish dialect, translated by Tachini Pete. Translation: Wishing you a year full of hope, strength, and the promise of a bright future. Happy New Year from the Board and Staff of First Nations Development Institute! Learn more about "Medicine for the New Year" and artist Paige Pettibon: https://bit.ly/3VNjDOs

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