1
lessons for philanthropy:
a journey into indian country
2
COLVILLECONFEDERATEDTRIBES
UPPER SKAGIT
SQUAXIN
San Juan
Island
Klickitat
FerryStevens Pend
Oreille
Lincoln
Spokane
Adams
Whitman
Okanogan
Whatcom
ChelanSnohomish
King
Douglas
Grant
Clark
YakimaLewis
Skamania
Cowlitz
Wahkiakum
Pacific
Grays Harbor
Thurston
PierceKittitas
Benton Walla Walla
Franklin
Columbia
Garfield
Asotin
Jefferson
Clallam
KitsapMason
Skagit
TRIBE
KALISPEL
TRIBE
SPOKANE
CONFEDERATED TRIBESOF THEYAKAMA NATION
SNOQUALMIE
STILLAGUAMISH
SAUK-SUIATTLE
NOOKSACK
LUMMI
JAMESTOWN KLALLAMTULALIP
MAKAH
QUILEUTE
HOH
SAMISH
MUCKLESHOOT
SUQUAMISH
PUYALLUP
SHOALWATER BAY
CHEHALIS
QUINAULT
PORT GAMBLE S’KLALLAM
NISQUALLY
LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM
SKOKOMISH
SWINOMISH
COWLITZ
Clark
Eyak
St. LawrenceIsland Yupik
Upper Tanana
HänTanana
Tanacross
Gwich’in
Koyukon
Dena’ina
Deg Xinag
Ahtna
UpperKuskokwim
Holikachuk
Inupiaq
Yup’ik
Haida
T l i ng
i t
WA
ORID
MT
WY
U n a n g a n
A l u t i i q / S u g p i a q
NooksackSamish
Upper Skagit
Kootenai
Flathead
BlackfeetRocky Boy’s
Fort Belknap Fort Peck
Wind River
North CheyenneCrow
Coeur d’Alene
Spokane Tribe
Nez Perce
NW ShoshoniShoshone Bannock
Sauk Suiattle
Tulalip
SnoqualmieSuquamish
ConfederatedTribes of theYakama Nation
Colville Confederated Tribes
Port Gamble S’KlallamLower Elwha Klallam
Jamestown S’Klallam
Lummi
MakahQuileute
HohQuinault
Skokomish
ChehalisGrand Ronde
Siletz
Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Cow Creek Band
Warm Springs Umatilla
Burns PaiuteKlamath
Coquille
Nisqually
Puyallup
Muckleshoot
Squaxin
CowlitzShoalwater Bay
Kalispel TribeSwinomish
Stillaguamish
indian country
Top: Indigenous Peoples and Languages of Alaska, Alaska Native Language Center and Institute of Social and Economic Research, 2011 Bottom: Our thanks to Potlatch Fund for guiding us on the map of 5 Northwest states
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table of contents
thank you to native leaders and allies....................................................................................4
introduction ........................................................................................................................................................6
listen first ............................................................................................................................................................8
cultural identity matters ..................................................................................................................12
honor native voices ...................................................................................................................................16
learn from mistakes ................................................................................................................................20
the importance of storytelling ....................................................................................................24
build true partnerships ........................................................................................................................26
the long view ....................................................................................................................................................32
concluding thoughts ...............................................................................................................................34
4
thank you to native leaders and allies who helped us by participating in programs, hosting site visits, counseling us on approach, or in any way advancing our journey.
2006 AndreaAlexander,Makah PotlatchFund
JasonBaldes,EasternShoshone YoungWarriorSociety
JoleneCatron,NavajoNation WindRiverAlliance
JustinFinkbonner,LummiNation PotlatchFund
VondaLimpy,NorthernCheyenne PrayerLodge
Dr.RichardLittlebear,NorthernCheyenne ChiefDullKnifeCollege
Dr.HenriettaMann,Cheyenne/ArapahoMontanaStateUniversity
MajorRobinson,NorthernCheyenneGovernor’sOfficeofIndianAffairsRedstoneConsulting
RickRobinson,NorthernCheyenne Boys&GirlsCluboftheNorthern
CheyenneNation
BonnieSachatello-Sawyer HopaMountain
CurtisYarlott,CrowTribeofIndians St.LabreIndianSchool
Dr.DavidYarlott,Jr.,CrowTribeofIndians LittleBigHornCollege
2007 LucilleEchohawk,Pawnee CaseyFamilyPrograms
RicardoLopez,Aleut RasmusonFoundation
Dr.MartinaWhelshula,ArrowLakes SpokaneTribalCollege TheHealingLodgeoftheSevenNations
2008 DoyleAnderson,RedPheasantFirstNation IdahoStateUniversity,NativeAmericanBusiness
SusanAnderson,Tlingit TheCIRIFoundation
Dr.JohnelBarcus,Blackfoot BrowningCommunityDevelopment
Corporation
ChristineDupres,Cowliatz/Cree NativeAmericanYouthandFamilyCenter
KenGordon PotlatchFund
JudgeCynthiaJordan Coeurd’AleneTribalCourt
JoAnnKauffmann,NezPerce Kauffmann&Associates,Inc.
JanieLeask,Haida/Tsimshian FirstAlaskansInstitute
JeanieLouie,Coeurd’Alene Coeurd’AleneTribe
LeslieLouie,Blackfoot Coeurd’AleneTribe
Dr.ChrisMeyer,Coeurd’Alene Coeurd’AleneTribe
KohlMiner,Ho-Chunk NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy
JimMurphy Coeurd’AleneTribe
JudgeMaryPearson,Coeurd’Alene Coeurd’AleneTribalCourt
JoyPersall,OntarioOjibwe NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy
AprilPierce,Kalispel KalispelTribe
RobertSpaulding Coeurd’AleneTribe
MarcStewart Coeurd’AleneTribe
JeanetteTaylor Couerd’AleneTribe
2009 FelixAripa,Coeurd’Alene Coeurd’AleneTribe
JaneenComenote,Quinault/Hesquiaht/Oglala UnitedIndiansofAllTribes
DavidCournoyer,RosebudSioux NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy
5
JenineGrey,Tlingit ChiefSeattleClub
CharlesHudson,Hidatsa ColumbiaRiverInter-TribalFishCommission
JanieLeask,Haida/Tsimshian FirstAlaskansInstitute
NicholeMaher,Tlingit/Haida NativeAmericanYouthandFamilyCenter
ByronMallott,Tlingit FirstAlaskansInstitute
ShelleyMeans,WhiteEarthChippewa/OglalaLakota
NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy
MattMorton,SquaxinIsland NationalIndianChildWelfareAssociation
ElizabethWoody,YakamaNation/NavajoNation NativeArtsandCulturesFoundation
2010 ShastaCano-Martin,CheyenneRiver LummiCedarProject
NatalieCharley,QuinaultIndianNation TaalaFundandNorthwestNativeChamber
CherylCrazyBull,SicanguLakota NorthwestIndianCollege
ChandraHampson,Winnebago/WhiteEarthChippewa
EnterpriseCascadia
DarrellHillaire,LummiNation LummiYouthAcademy
KellieJewett,CheyenneRiverSioux FirstNationsOweestaCorporation
EricJordan,ConfederatedTribesoftheGrandRonde
ONABEN
Y.ElaineStephens,Hopi/Cherokee NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy
2011 JohnnyArlee,ConfederatedSalishandKootenaiTribes
SalishKootenaiCollege
DanaArviso,Diné PotlatchFund
TinaBegay,Navajo SalishKootenaiCollege
CarlyHare,Pawnee/YanktonSioux NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy
TonyIncashola,Flathead Salish-Pendd’OreilleCulturalCommittee
MartinJennings,LeechLakeBandofOjibwe NorthwestAreaFoundation
DarrellKipp,Blackfoot BlackfootLanguageSchool
VeronicaMaday,BadRiverBandofLakeSuperiorChippewa
IndianNonprofitAssociation
TachiniPete,Salish NkwusmSalishLanguageRevitalization
Institute
GeraldSherman,OglalaLakota IndianNonprofitAssociation
MarissaSpang,NorthernCheyenne/CrowNations
Boys&GirlsCluboftheNorthernCheyenneNation
GeriSmall,NorthernCheyenne Boys&GirlsCluboftheNorthern
CheyenneNation
organizations: AmericanIndianBusinessLeaders BobcatSingers DullKnifeIndianCollege NativeAmericansinPhilanthropy NativeArtsandCulturesFoundation NkwusmSalishLanguageSchool PotlatchFund RoseCreekSingers Salish-KootenaiCollege St.LabreIndianSchool TheSalishInstitute WindRiverGroup
tribes: ColvilleConfederatedTribe CrowIndianNation LummiNation NorthernCheyenneIndianNation SuquamishTribe TulalipTribe
…andtoanywhoofferedtheirreflectionandguidancewhomwehaveforgottentolist.
Thelistidentifiesleadersandalliesintheyeartheybeganworkwithus.
6
introduction FromtheNorthwestCoasttotheNorthernPlains,ourregionisrichwiththehistory,art,andcultureofitsindigenouspeople.ItslargestcityisnamedforaSuquamishchief.Regionalmuseumsdisplaymasks,beadwork,andbasketsthatcelebrateNativeartistry.Totempolesgracecityparks.Inrawnumber,approximatelyhalfofthe565federallyrecognizedTribalentitiesmaketheirhomeinthesixstatesthatPhilanthropyNorthwestserves.TheUnitedStatesCensusBureauestimatesroughlyhalfamillionNativepeopleliveinourregion(or3.7%ofourpopulationversus1.4%nationally).AlaskaNativesmakeup19%oftheAlaskapopulation.1
Inlightofthis,itisnotablethatorganizedphilanthropyhasrelativelylittleengagementinIndianCountry.Nationally,lessthanhalfofonepercentofallfoundationdollarsaredirectedtoNativepeople.Northwestnumbersareslightlybetter,rangingbetween1%and2%.2Still,theintersectionbetweentheregion’sphilanthropyanditsindigenouspeopleismodest.Additionally,mostofthegrantstoIndianCountryoriginatefromarelativelysmallnumberoffoundations.ConsideringthatNativepopulationsfacesuchsignificantsocio-economicchallenges,thisweakalignmentbetweenphilanthropyandNativecommunitiesisallthemorestriking.
In2006,PhilanthropyNorthwestsetouttopromotemorephilanthropicengagementinIndianCountry.Webeganthateffortbyacknowledgingourlimitations.OurstaffknewverylittleaboutIndianCountry.WehadfewrelationshipsandexperienceswithNativepeople.OnlyasmallnumberofourmemberswereactivelyworkinginNativecommunities.Inshort,wefacedasteep
climb.Fortunately,wehadboardmembersandcolleagueswhowereexperiencedinIndianCountryandthoughtfulabouthowwemightbegin.
OurcolleaguesatNativeAmericansinPhilanthropy3andPotlatchFund4werestorehousesofinformation.OurboardmemberByronMallott,Tlingit,whoalsoservesontheboardoftrusteesforFirstAlaskansInstitute,5wasinsightfulaboutthechallengeswewouldfaceandgenerouswithhistime.DanielKemmis,chairoftheNorthwestAreaFoundationboardatthetime(andcurrentPhilanthropyNorthwestboardmember),inspireduswithcandidstoriesofhisfoundation’sworkinIndianCountry.HeandfellowPhilanthropyNorthwestboardmembersSueColiton,vicepresidentofthePaulG.AllenFamilyFoundation,andJoAnnEder,presidentoftheO.P.andW.E.EdwardsFoundation,encouragedusandintroducedourstafftoNativeleaders.
1 See the 2010 Census Brief The American Indian and Alaska Native Population: 2010 online at www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-10.pdf.2 Holway, Lewis, and Dingfield (2012). “Trends in Northwest Giving” report, Philanthropy Northwest, Seattle, WA. See also information about the
Foundation Center at www.foundationcenter.org.3 Native Americans in Philanthropy is a national affinity group of Native Americans engaged in philanthropy. Learn more at www.nativephilanthropy.org. 4 Potlatch Fund is one of the nation’s first community foundations started by Native Americans and focused on grantmaking in Indian Country. Learn more
at www.potlatchfund.org.5 First Alaskans Institute is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance Alaska Natives through community engagement, research, and
leadership development. Learn more at www.FirstAlaskans.org.
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Withgentlecoachingandwisecounselfrommany,PhilanthropyNorthwestbeganitsjourneyintoIndianCountry.Itisimportanttosaythatourguideswereconsistentintheiradvice.TheyrecognizedthatthemostimportantfirststepwouldbeforPhilanthropyNorthwesttobeginitsjourney,notbydoing,butbylearning.TheytoldusthatphilanthropicengagementinIndianCountrywouldrequireustoembracelongertimehorizons,buildtruerelationships,anddevelopadeepappreciationforthegiftswewouldreceive.Ratherthanthinkofourselvesasbeneficentagentsofmoneyandpower,weshouldopenourselvestoallthatNativecommunitieswouldofferus.
Wewerealsocautionednottothinkofthisjourneyasaprojectoraninitiative,butratherasacorevalue,andalogicalextensionofourorganization’scommitmenttocommunitybuilding.Ourstandardstyleofworking—startingwithplans,budgets,schedules,andmeasurableoutcomes—wasunlikelytomoveusclosertoourgoal.Indeed,itmademoresenseforustostartbyhavingmealswithpotentialNativepartners—invitingrelationshipsthatmightdevelopovertime.Withthatgoodadvice,andacommitmentto“listeningandlearning,”webegan.
In2007,PhilanthropyNorthweststaffattendedthenationalconferenceofNativeAmericansinPhilanthropy.WebegancompilingthebasicdemographicdataforNorthwestIndianCountryandstartedvisitingNativecommunitieswithourmembers.WemadetripstotheCheyenneandCrowReservationsinMontana,andtotheSquamishandTulalipReservationsoutsideSeattle.In2008,wedevotedathree-hoursessionatthePhilanthropyNorthwestAnnualConferencetoarevealingconversationbetweenNativeleadersandphilanthropists.Titled“EverythingYouWantedtoKnowaboutWorkingwithNativeCommunitiesbutWereAfraidtoAsk”andledbyNativeleaders,thesessioninvitedgrantmakersandgrantseekerstospeakhonestlyaboutthebarriersseparatingphilanthropyandIndianCountry.Theroomwasfilledtocapacity.
ThiseventwasaturningpointforPhilanthropyNorthwest.Itintroducedpeoplewhomightotherwisehavenevermet,anditsparkedaseriesofconversationsthatcontinuetoday.Beyondthat,itconfirmedforusthattheregion’sNativepeopleandourmemberssharedadesiretolearntoworktogether.Eversincethat2008conference,wehavemadeitaprioritytoparticipateinandpromotedeeper,moremeaningfulconversationsbetweenNativeleadersandphilanthropists.InthiswehavebeengreatlyaidedbytheleadersoftwoofthelargestfundersinIndianCountry:KevinWalker,presidentoftheNorthwestAreaFoundation,andDianeKaplan,presidentandCEOoftheRasmusonFoundation.
BuildingrelationshipsinIndianCountryisnowadefiningprincipleforPhilanthropyNorthwest.WeroutinelyinvitediverseNativevoicestoparticipateinourprograms.WevisitNativecommunities.WecollectandsharethelessonslearnedbyourPhilanthropyNorthwestmemberscommittedtoIndianCountry.Andallalongthisjourney’spath,wehavebeenrewardedwiththegiftsofIndianCountry.Wehavemetinspiringpeople,explorednewideas,anddeepenedourconnectiontothehistoryandspiritofthisregionwecallhome.Mostimportantly,wehavebeenremindedthathonesty,reciprocity,andmutualrespectareessentialvalueswhenworkinginIndianCountry—and,indeed,whenworkinginanycommunity.
Ourgoalistocontinuethisjourney.Thispapersharesafewofthestorieswehavecollectedalongtheway.Itisorganizedaroundsevensimplelessons.OurhopeisthatthesestoriesandlessonswillinspirephilanthropiststolearnmoreaboutthegoodworkunderwayinNorthwestIndianCountry.Wearedeeplyindebtedtoallwhohavesharedandcontinuetosharetheirstorieswithus,andwelookforwardtotheroadahead.
Ifyouareintrigued,joinPhilanthropyNorthwestonthisjourney.Youcanlearnmoreatwww.philanthropynw.org/JourneyIntoIndianCountry.Wearealsoavailableinperson.Callusat206-443-8431.
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lesson #1
listen first
Gene Tagaban, Cherokee/Tlingit, MCing at 2010 Native Arts and Culture Foundation’s Inspiring the Spirit Auction
9
OneofPhilanthropyNorthwest’sfirsttripstoIndianCountryoccurredin2006,whenwevisitedNorthernCheyenneandCrowcommunitiesineasternMontana.Thoseofuswhowerefirst-timevisitorsimmediatelygraspedtheseverityoflifeforthepeoplelivingonthereservations.TheeasternMontanalandscape,beautifulandvast,isalsodesolate.Thelandishard.Therearenofactoriessilhouettedontheskyline.Employersarescarce,andpovertyispervasive.
ThereareundeniabledisparitiesbetweenNativepeoplesandthegeneralpopulationwhenitcomestoeducationalattainment,health,violentdeath,andsubstanceabuse.Ina2011reporttoPhilanthropyNorthwest,KenGordon,executivedirectorofPotlatchFundatthetime,providedasnapshotoftheseindicators:
native american statistics (2005 – 2009)
all u.s. native source
unemployment and poverty
Unemployment rate (2005) 4.9% 49.0% Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Median family income (2007) $50,740 $35,343 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
Families below poverty line (2007) 13% 25.3% U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
education
Dropout rates in high school (2009) 8.1% 13.2% National Center for Education Statistics
B.A. degree or higher (2006 – 2008) 27.4% 13.3% National Center for Education Statistics
suicide
Rate per 100,000 for 15 – 24-year-old males (2009) 9.7 32.3 Centers for Disease Control
violence
Violent deaths per 100,000 for 15 – 24-year-old males (2009)
21.9 60.21 Centers for Disease Control
health
Birth rates for 15 – 19-year-old women, per 1000 women (2009)
39.1 55.5 National Center for Health Statistics
Diabetes in adults 20 years and older (2009) 11.3% 16.1% National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
Smoking among adolescents 12 – 17 years old (2004 – 2009)
10.2% 16.8% Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
10
Thenumbersinthetablereflectthehardshipsofrealpeople,manyofwhomareourneighbors.Theyalsorevealthelegacyofabrutalwesternexpansionthatmanyofuswouldratherforget,butthatNativeAmericanslivewitheveryday.Europeanculturebroughtpandemicdisease,violentconquest,diaspora,andculturalsubjugationtoNativecommunities.Nativegovernanceandknowledgeweresystematicallysuppressed.Familieswereseparated.
Whenunderstoodinthiscontext,thedisparitiesinhealth,education,andeconomicopportunityarenotremarkable.What is remarkable is Native resilience and determination to overcome those hardships.MartinJennings,LeechLakeBandofOjibwe,isaprogramofficerfortheNorthwestAreaFoundation.Heobservesthat“funderstoooftenfocusondeficitsorproblems.Theirthinkingneedstoshifttoasset-basedapproachesthatbuildonlocalculturalvalues,Tribalassets,andknowledgethatexistsinIndianCountry.”
Asmallbutinvaluablebook,Context is Everything,fromOneFireDevelopmentCorporation,6thoughtfullyexploreshowphilanthropycanstrengthenitsappreciationandunderstandingofNativecommunities.ItechoesMartin’spoint:“Giventheenormousadversitytheyhavefaced,itismiraculousthatmanyNativeAmericanshaveretainedasenseofcohesionaswellassomeofthecorevaluesthatsustainedtheirpeopleovertime.EveninthemostchallengedTribalcommunitiesthereisasenseofreciprocityandaclearunderstandingbyTribalpeoplethattheirlivesarepartofandinseparablefromeachotherandtheland.Thisenduringvalueofinterdependencefuelsadutyandaresponsibilitytohelpotherpeopleandtoconserveandprotectthenaturalworldthatisasacredprovideroffood,medicineandspiritualsustenance.”7
6 Context is Everything: Reflections on Strengthening Partnerships Between the Philanthropic Communities and Native Americans is one of the most helpful written guides for funders that we have seen. You will find it at www.onefiredevelopment.org/wp-content/themes/H5/images/Context_is_Everything.pdf.
7 Ibid.
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ApowerfulsignofthisresilienceistheyoungIndianleaderswhoarereturningtotheirreservationsinsurprisingnumberstoclaimtheirheritageandbuildadifferentfuturefortheirpeople.Theyarebringingnewskillsanddeterminationtotheircommunities.Theyareupholdingandchampioningvaluesofinterdependence,responsibility,connectiontotheland,andcommitmenttothecommongood—valuescentraltotheircultureforthousandsofyears;valuesthatcanbethebuildingblocksforcreatingstrongpartnershipsbetweenphilanthropyandIndianCountry.
Formingthesepartnershipswilltakeacommitmenttolisteningthatgoesbeyondwhatphilanthropytypicallyoffers.NorthwestAreaFoundationpresidentKevinWalkerexplains,“MyimpressionindoingthisworkisthatIndianCountryismoredifferentthanwenon-Nativesinphilanthropyareconditionedtorecognize.ThefactthateachTribeisasovereignentityolderthantheUnitedStates;thepowerofplacethatNativepeopleonreservationslivewith,thatdeepsenseofmultigenerationalbelongingthatisbeyondthekenofmanyofusmorerecentarriversinNorthAmerica;therelatedconsciousnessthattheirplaceusedtobesomuchmorevastandsustainingthanthereservationsthatremain;thespecific,policy-drivenreasonswhyNativepeoplerelocatedtocitieslikePortlandandSeattle:thesearedeepwatersthatmattertremendously.Ithinkit’strulymorecomplexthanacquiringthelevelofculturalcompetencethatisagoodphilanthropyworker’sstockintrade.”
Dataisimportant.ButthejourneyintoIndianCountryrequiresadeeperunderstandingofNativecommunities—onethatbeginswithrecognitionthatTribalidentity,knowledge,history,andtraditionareculturalrichesthathaveallowedNativecommunitiestosurviveoverwhelmingodds.
12
lesson #2
cultural identity matters
Pow wow at the Omak Rodeo, Washington
13
Aswebeganthisjourney,TlingitleaderByronMallottbecameaninvaluableguide.ByronservedonthePhilanthropyNorthwestboardbetween2005and2010andledmanypublicandprivateconversationsaboutphilanthropy’sroleinIndianCountry.ClanleaderoftheKwaashKiKwaan,founderandthefirstpresidentandCEOofFirstAlaskansInstitute,formermayorofJuneau,formerdirectorfortheFederalReserveBankofSanFrancisco,currentboardmemberofAlaskaAirlinesandSealaskaCorporation,Byronisacompellingadvocateforindigenouspeople.Whilehetravelsfrequently,hemaintainsahomeinYakutat,Alaska,wherehewasborn.(YakutatishometoAthabaskan,Eyak,andinlandandcoastalTlingitpeoples.)HisNativetraditions,stories,andidentityareimportanttohimandimportanttopassontohisgrandchildren.
ByronisemphaticthatbuildingNativecommunitiesinAlaska“isnotjustaboutputtingdollarsintoprograms.Itismoreaboutwhatweareplacinginthemindsofindividuals.”
Itistruethatmuchofthepast“help”toNativecommunitieshasdonemoreharmthangood.8SomeofthemostegregiousstoriesarefoundinIndianboardingschoolsfirstestablishedinthelate1800sbygovernmentandchurches.Theseschools,commonintheNorthwestintothe1920s,routinelyworkedtoseverallconnectionbetweenNativechildrenandtheirculturalroots,erasinglanguage,religion,andTribalnotionsoffamilystructure.9In1892,armyofficerRichardPrattinfamouslyexplainedhisphilosophyfortheIndianschoolshefounded:“KilltheIndianinhimandsavetheman.”
In2006,PhilanthropyNorthwestmembersvisitedthemodern-dayversionofoneoftheseschools,St.LabreIndianSchoolineasternMontana.Theschoolwasstartedinthe1880s,astheU.S.ArmyattemptedtomovetheNorthernCheyenneontoreservationland(aneffortwhichledtotheBattleoftheLittleBighornin1876).Anex-officerobservedatthetimethat“CatholicSisterscoulddoasmuchforthegoodoftheCheyenneasaregiment.”In1884,sixUrsulinenunsfromOhiorespondedbyopeningamissionschoolinAshland,Montana.Thenuns’goalwastobringcivilizationandChristianitytoCheyennechildren.Theirinitialclasshadfourteenstudents.
Whilethereisevidencethatthesisterscareddeeplyaboutthewell-beingoftheircharges,theprevailingattitudesabouttheCheyennearecapturedingovernmentdocumentsdescribingthemission:“Indianprejudicesarebreakingdownandthewaymadeeasiereveryday;buttheobstaclesinthewayofbringingthesesavagestolightarestillverygreat.”10
St.Labrecontinuestoday,servingroughly700NorthernCheyenneandCrowstudents.But,intheinterveningyears,anewphilosophyhastakenover:Culturaltraditionsandidentityareregardedasfundamental(ratherthandetrimental)totheeducationaleffortsofNativestudents.Now,administratorsproudlyexplainthattheschool’sphilosophyrelieson“education,spirituality,andNative American culture(emphasisadded)toeducatethewholechild.”Cheyennelanguageispartofthecurriculum.CampustourguidesproudlypointvisitorstoarchitecturethatevokestraditionsofthePlainsIndians.
8 Carly Hare, executive director of Native Americans in Philanthropy, is a thoughtful, accessible, and knowledgeable resource for funders working in Indian Country. On previewing this section of the report, she referenced one of her frequent reminders to the field — a charged statement by her own account, but one that helps make the point: “U.S. policies of termination weren’t as detrimental to American Indians as the good intentions of white women.”
9 The school environment was frequently harsh, prompting students to run away. A Makah woman described her experiences in 1922 at Chemewa, a boarding school in Oregon. “Two of our girls ran away...but they got caught. They tied their legs up, tied their hands behind their backs, put them in the middle of the hallway so that if they fell asleep or something, the matron would hear them and she’d get out there and whip them and make them stand up again. (Helma Ward, Makah, interview with Carolyn Marr). See this website from the University Libraries at University of Washington for more information about the boarding schools in the Pacific Northwest: content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/marr.html.
10 To learn more about St. Labre, see www.stlabre.org/visitorscenter/100_chapter04.asp.
14
CultureisparamountinNativecommunities.In2009,Dr.MartinaWhelshula,ArrowLakes,executivedirectoroftheHealingLodgeoftheSevenNations11outsideSpokane,Washington,describedtoPhilanthropyNorthwestmemberstheHealingLodge’streatmentprogramforchemicallydependentteenagers.Shearticulatedtheprogram’ssuccess,demonstratingthepowerfultransformationofyouthintheirrecoverythroughceremoniesandculturalpractices.Similarly,in2011,NativeAmericansinPhilanthropyhostedPhilanthropyNorthwestonatriptoseveralNative-ledorganizationsinthePugetSoundarea,includingtheChiefSeattleClubindowntownSeattle.ThereourmemberswitnessedhowcriticalstorytellingandtraditionalNativeartsprogramsareinreducinghomelessnessandsubstanceabuseamongNativepeoplesinthecity.TheSuquamish,theYakama,theLummi,theConfederatedTribesofWarmSprings,theCrowandtheCheyenne,alongwithNativeorganizationslikeFirstAlaskansInstitute,TheCIRIFoundation,andotherAlaskaNativecorporationshavealldesignedprogramstoimprovewell-beingbyemphasizingculturalidentity,history,andcommunity.
Oneofthebeststatementsaboutwhyculturematterscomes,again,fromByronMallott,amanwhocouldworkandliveanywhereintheworld.ByronmaintainshishomeinYakutatbecauseitgiveshima“senseofplace,values,andconnection,aplaceofcomfort.”InIndianCountry,heexplains,“itisneveraboutasinglepersonorasinglerelationship.Itisaboutawebofrelationshipsthatyouinheritwhenyouareborn.Communalintereststranscendpersonalinterests.Idon’tfindthatinthelargersociety...Evenwhenday-to-daylifeishard,[IndianCountry]istheplaceyougoto,ratherthanfleefrom.”
11 In October 2011, Washington state’s Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery recognized the Healing Lodge with their Innovative Program of the Year award.
15
philanthropy northwest site visits
2006
2008
2007
2009
2010
Lummi ReservationWASHINgtoN
Coeur d’Alene Reservation
IDAHo
Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish
CommissionoREgoN AND WASHINgtoN
Northern Cheyenne and Crow
ReservationsMoNtANA
tulalip ReservationWASHINgtoN
Suquamish Reservation (with
Potlatch Fund)WASHINgtoN
Duwamish LonghouseWASHINgtoN
Lummi Reservation WASHINgtoN
2011
Salish Kootenai College
MoNtANA
16
lesson #3
honor native voices
17
NativepeoplewerenotgrantedU.S.citizenshipuntil1924,reflectingthepolicyofcolonizationwhichcharacterizedfederalactionsthroughtheearlypartofthe20thcentury,ifnotbeyond.IndianschoolsfocusedoneradicatingNativeculture,Tribeswereisolatedonreservations,andNativepeoplewereeasilyexcludedfromestablishedpowerstructures.Givenwildlydifferentexperiencesinsociety,itishardlysurprisingthatNativeandnon-Nativepeopledonotalwaysseetheworldthesameway.Thishistoricandstructuralrealityisfurtherexacerbatedbyvastlydifferentculturaltraditionsandbeliefsabouthowpeopleshouldworktogether.
The21st-centuryworldreliesonreports,contracts,email,andpredominantlyimpersonalbusinesstransactions.Incontrast,Nativepeopleplaceahighvalueonlong-standingpersonalrelationshipsandoralcommunication.Opportunitiesformisunderstandingsaboundbetweenthesetwovaluesystemsandoperatingcultures.ThismeansthatphilanthropicorganizationsmustbepreparedtoinvesttimeandenergyiftheywanttoengageinauthenticconversationswithpotentialNativepartners.AsBillVesneskifromthePaulG.AllenFamilyFoundationexplains,“Atypicalhourvisitfromthefunderisnotenough.Ittakestimetogettoknoweachother.”ButasBillexplainslaterinthisreport,theinvestmentoftimepaysoffforthefunderinbettergrantsandstrongerpartners.
PhilanthropycanalsohelptostrengthenleadershipandcommunicationwithintheNativecommunitybysupportingNative-ledorganizationsthatgivevoicetoNativeconcerns.AsJanieLeask,Haida/Tsimshian,formerpresidentandCEOofFirstAlaskansInstituteexplains,Nativepeople“areeminentlycapableofanalyzingpolitics,economics,andsocialbehavior...Wehavesomethingtoaddtothediscussion,andwehavetheright,atlonglast,tobelistenedto.”
TwoNorthwestorganizationsoffermodelsforbringingtheNativevoicesintothecivicconversation,andbothhavebeenimportantpartnersforPhilanthropyNorthwest.
potlatch fund
PotlatchFundwasestablishedin2002torevivetheancientspiritofpotlatchceremoniesthatwereattheheartofaphilanthropictraditionamongNorthwestCoastalTribes.ThecreationofthefundwastheculminationofyearsofconversationamongNativeleadersabouttheneedtocreate“newparadigmsforhowprogresscanbeachievedandsustainedinIndianCountry.”Thisneworganizationcommitteditselfto“honortheNativetraditionofgivingforthecommongood.”ItsoughttoexpandphilanthropyinNorthwestIndianCountryby(1)strengtheningtieswithmainstreamphilanthropy,(2)developingnewleadersamongNativecommunities,and(3)makingstrategicgrantstoNativeorganizations.Bycommittingitselftograntmaking(versussimplygrant-seeking),PotlatchjoinedFirstNationsDevelopmentInstitute12
the talking circle is a traditional vehicle for decision-making in many Native cultures. Designed to give each tribal member a voice in decisions affecting the entire community, it is a time-consuming and deliberate process — one that looks quite different from mainstream 21st-century decision-making. Information matters, but reaching decisions in Indian Country is not presumed to be a purely analytical process. It is a collaborative and social process. Designed to honor diverse opinions, the talking circle is highly structured to encourage listening as well as talking. that is its virtue. It guarantees each person’s right to be heard. It builds collective understanding and commitment.
12 To learn more about First Nations Development Institute, see www.firstnations.org.
18
andtheSeventhGenerationFund13tobecomeoneofthefirstNative-focusedphilanthropiesintheUnitedStates,aswellasanimportantbridgebetweenNativeandnon-Nativephilanthropy.14
PotlatchFund’sstatedgoalistobreakdownthesystemicchallengesfacingNorthwestIndianpeople.CentraltoitsstrategyisbuildingthecapacityofNative-ledorganizations.PotlatchoffersNativeleaderstrainingthroughouttheyear,includingsessionsinboardgovernance,fundraising,andsocialmedia,tonameafew.In2011,PotlatchFundmademorethan$250,000ingrantstoapproximately80smallandemergingnonprofits,smallTribalprograms,andNativeartists.PotlatchFundalsosponsorstheInter-TribalCanoeJourney,whichcelebratesNativevaluesandtraditionsandoffersmainstreamfundersaremarkableexperienceandopportunitytolearnaboutCoastalTribes.
TheformerexecutivedirectorofPotlatchFund,AndreaAlexander,Makah,wasanearlyresourceforPhilanthropyNorthwest,accompanyingourstaffandmembersaswevisitedTribalcommunitiesandreservationsin2006.HersuccessorKenGordonbeganworkingwithusin2007,helpingusimproveourprogramsaboutphilanthropy’sroleinIndianCountry.HeandthePotlatchstaffregularlysharedinformationaboutTriballifeinourregionandintroducedPhilanthropyNorthwestmemberstopotentialpartnersinIndianCountry.Gordonsteppeddownin
2011andtheboardpromotedDanaArviso,Diné,toleadtheorganization.Wehavebeenguidedbythewisdomandexperienceofeachofthesethreeleaders.
the potlatch ceremony of Northwest Coastal tribes is a traditional gift-giving ceremony characterized by time-honored dances, songs, button blankets, beautifully carved masks, and feasting. Vital to tribal life, the potlatch celebrated major events, transmitted stories, honored Ancestors, redistributed wealth, and established status among families. Importantly, prestige within the tribe increased with the value of goods given away. Leaders vied to distribute more food, blankets, canoes, and other valuable assets to neighbors and to each other.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the potlatch was seen as an impediment to Christianity and “civilization.” Both Canada and the United States attempted to legislate it out of existence, imprisoning Natives who participated and destroying cultural artifacts. Although outlawed in Canada until 1951 and nearly lost to younger generations, the spirit and, in several cases, the actual potlatch event lives on today.
13 To learn more about the Seventh Generation Fund, see http://7genfund.org/index.php.14 Potlatch Fund is one of the nation’s first community foundations started by Native Americans and focused on grantmaking in Indian Country. Learn
more at www.potlatchfund.org.
Potlatch Fund
19
first alaskans institute and the alaska native policy center
FirstAlaskansInstituteworkstokeepAlaskaNativesinformedandengagedinleadingthedecisionsthatshapetheirfuture.ItprovidespolicymakerswithvitalinformationaboutNativepeople,promotescollaborationacrossTribesandsectors,andtrainsNativepeopletoassumeleadershiprolesinsociety.Italsoconvenesandfacilitatesdifficultconversationsaboutvalues,raceandcultureandmakesgrantseachyeartoNativeorganizations.
OneoftheInstitute’smostimportantachievementsisthecreationoftheAlaskaNativePolicyCenter.ThePolicyCentercreates,collects,andanalyzesdatathatisgermanetothefutureofAlaskaNativesandthatwouldnotbeavailablewithouttheirwork.ItempowersNativepeopletoengageinthepoliticalprocessbyofferingtrainingandcoaching,andhasnotshiedawayfrombringingNativeandnon-Nativepeoplestogethertotalkaboutinequalityandracism.Butasitsfirstpresident,ByronMallott,pointedout,thechallengesarenotjustbetweenNativesandnon-Natives.“[Thereis]aneedforincreasedcommunication,transparency,andworkingtogether[amongNativepeople]tobreakdownsilosofthoughtandactionsothatweestablishasenseofsharedpriorities…”
FirstAlaskansInstitutehasdistributedalmost$1millionsinceitbeganin2006,makinggrantstosupportearlyeducation,youthdevelopment,leadershipdevelopment,andculturallearningamongNativepeople.AccordingtoformerpresidentandCEODeniseMorris,Aleut,“Whenweempowerourpeople,growourleaders,contributetoourcommunities,convenemeaningfuldialogues,andfosterandshareourNativeknowledge,FirstAlaskansInstituteistakinggiganticstridestowardachievingavisionofprogressforthenext10,000years.”
20
lesson #4
learn from mistakes
Hands of a Navajo Elder at Sheep is Life Festival
21
Misunderstandingsanddisappointmentareinevitableinanyrelationship—particularlyinarelationshipchallengedwithculturaldifferences,powerimbalances,andverydifferentcommunicationstyles.Philanthropy,nomatterhowwell-intentioned,isnotimmunetotheserealities.Thingswillgowrong.But,asourgrandmotherstoldus,theimportantthingtodowhenwefalldownistogetbackup.
FormorethanadecadetheNorthwestAreaFoundationhasbeenworkingtoreducepovertyintheeight-stateregionthatparallelstheoldGreatNorthernRailwaylinefromMinnesotatoWashington.IthasworkedextensivelyinIndianCountry,todayworkingsuccessfullytoaddresspovertyontheCheyenneRiverSioux,TurtleMountainChippewa,andLummiReservations.Oneofitsmostremarkablesuccessesisa$500,000investmenttohelpadedicatedgroupofNativeAmericansbringalawsuitagainsttheU.S.governmenttocontestmismanagementofNativelandsbytheBureauofIndianAffairs.LedbyElouiseCobell,elderoftheBlackfootTribeandlawyer,thesuitwassuccessfullysettled,returning$3.7billiontoNativepeople.Cobell v. Salazarresultedinthelargestgovernmentclass-actionsettlementinthenation’shistory.LessthanayearafterPresidentObamasignedlegislationauthorizingthesettlement,Elouisediedofcanceratage65.ShecontinuestobeabelovedfigureinthePacificNorthwestandaroundthecountry.
However,notallinvestmentsbytheNorthwestAreaFoundationhavebeensuccessful.In2008,theNorthwestAreaFoundationcalculatedthatinthepasttenyearsithadgrantedalmost$50milliontoNativeprogramsfocusedonpovertyreduction.Reflectingonthatdecade,thestaffdraftedaninternalmemoanalyzingwhattheyhadlearnedfromtheirworkinIndianCountry.DanielKemmis,thenchairoftheNorthwestAreaFoundationboard,generouslysharedapaperreportingonthisinternalreview,alongwithhisownthoughts,ataPhilanthropyNorthwestboardretreatthatalsofeaturedJanieLeask,thenpresidentofFirstAlaskansInstitute.
Thepaperwasnotableforseveralreasons.Firstandforemost,itwashonest.ItstatedplainlythatwhiletheFoundation“hasalwaysbeensincereinitscommitmenttoreducepovertyinNativeAmericancommunities,wehavenotalwaysdonethingscorrectly…Earlymisstepstaughtussomehardandvaluablelessons.”Ithighlightedseverallessons,including(1)theneedforculturalcompetencywithinthefoundation,(2)theimportanceofclearcommunications,and(3)theneedtosetclearexpectationswithgrantrecipients.Italsospokeeloquentlyaboutthedangersforfoundationsthatleadwithmoney.Danielcitedtwoexampleswherethefoundationinvitedcommunitiestoapplyforlargeamountsofmoney.Thesecommunitiesexpendedconsiderabletimeandefforttryingtocreatesharedstrategies,whichthefoundationthenfoundinsufficientlypromisingforagrantaward.Thehardfeelingsthatresultedledtoalawsuitinonecase,andasharpexchange15inthepagesofResponsive Philanthropyintheother.Inbothcases,itbecameclearthatthepeopleonthegroundknewfromtheoutsetthatthealliancesthefoundationwantedtoforgewereunnaturalandunworkable.Butthelureofsubstantialfundingmadeitirresistibletoattemptitanyway.
15 See this 2006 press release from the National Committee on Responsive Philanthropy: www.ncrp.org/news-room/press-releases/413-spring-2006-responsive-philanthropy-digs-deeper-into-foundation-nonprofit-dynamics-gone-awry.
Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly, butterfly,
oh, look, see it hovering among the flowers,
It is like a baby trying to walk and not knowing how to go.
the clouds sprinkle down the rain.
Acoma
22
Afteradecadeofon-the-groundexperience,theFoundationdecidedtochangeitspracticesgoingforward,embracingmorecollaborationandmore“learningaswego.”DanielagreedtosharetheNorthwestAreaFoundation’sexperiencesandreflectionswiththefullPhilanthropyNorthwestmembershipatitsAnnualConferencein2008.Inhisconferencesessionentitled“LessonsLearned:PhilanthropyinProgress,”hecandidlytoldthestoryofNorthwestAreaFoundation’sworkinIndianCountry.16
Byillustratingthateventhemostcommittedfundercanmakemistakes,DanielconfrontedanunspokenobstaclefacingmanyfunderswhoconsiderworkinginIndianCountry:afearoffailure.17Initsplace,Danielofferedamorehopefulmessage:Mistakeswillbemade,butfunderswhoproceedwithhonesty,clarity,andrespectforthelandandpeople,willfindloyalpartnersinIndianCountry.
16 Two years later, the foundation published a comprehensive paper: “Gaining Perspective: Lessons Learned from 10 Years of Work in Poverty Reduction.” It is an extraordinarily thoughtful self-assessment and useful reading for funders of all sizes and interests. Find it on the Northwest Area Foundation’s website at www.nwaf.org/FileCabinet/DocumentCatalogFiles/Other/GainingPerspective_Full_1-10.pdf.
17 The Northwest Area Foundation’s Kevin Walker wonders why fear of failure seems to be more potent in Indian Country than in other environments where funders are facing big problems: “Is it that funders view Native communities as a lost cause, or an anachronism best ignored? Is it that Tribal politics are too inscrutable? That sovereignty is a hard concept to grasp? Is it that funders believe it’s been proven that nothing works in Indian Country? There is more here to understand.”
23
a few examples of philanthropy northwest programs with a native perspective
Dreams Beyond the twenty-First
Century: Planning for the Seventh
generation (Big Sky, Mt)
Collaborations in Funding
(Anchorage, AK)
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow – A Historical tour of the
Inland Northwest (Spokane, WA)
Native American Funding in the
Inland Northwest and Nationally (Spokane, WA)
Making the Invisible Visible:
Native Americans in Urban
Communities (Skamania, WA)
touring the Coeur d’Alene Country
(Coeur d’Alene, ID)
talking Circle: Lessons Learned (Skamania, WA)
giving trends in Idaho
(Sun Valley, ID)
Neighboring in Indian Country (Big Sky, Mt)
Building Business in Native
Communities (Semiahmoo, WA)
Everything You Wanted to Know
about Working with Native Communities
but Were Afraid to Ask (Coeur d’Alene, ID)
From Access to Success: Supporting
Students of Color in Higher Education (Coeur d’Alene, ID)
Native Voices from the Beach:
A Discussion Zone in Indian time
(Semiahmoo, WA)
A New Dawn: Northwest
Foundations and Indian Country (Missoula, Mt)
Building Vibrant Native Communities
through Relationships
and Investments (Missoula, Mt)
ground truthing: Listen to the
Landscape, Speak from the Heart (Missoula, Mt)
24
lesson #5
the importance of storytelling
Susan Anderson, President/CEO, The CIRI Foundation
25
DanielKemmis’willingnesstosharethestoryoftheNorthwestAreaFoundation’sexperiencehonoredtheNativetraditionofstorytelling,astrongtraditionthatlivesontoday.Nativevoiceslikeprize-winningauthorShermanAlexiearehelpingtodemystifylifeinIndianCountry.Withhumorandcompassion,hisbooks,poetry,andmoviesmaptheunderlyingpsychologyofmodernlifeonthereservation.FromAlexie’sThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian18comestheteenagevoiceofJunior:
Itsuckstobepoor,anditsuckstofeelthatyousomehowdeservetobepoor.Youstartbelievingthatyou’repoorbecauseyou’restupidandugly.Andthenyoustartbelievingthatyou’restupidanduglybecauseyou’reIndian.Andbecauseyou’reIndianyoustartbelievingyou’redestinedtobepoor.It’sanuglycircleandthere’snothingyoucandoaboutit.19
Topromotestorytelling,aconferencesessionin2008invitedeveryonewhoattendedtoshareapersonalstoryaboutworkinginIndianCountry.SusanAnderson,Tlingit,presidentandCEOofTheCIRIFoundation,20co-designedthethree-hour“deep-dive”session“EverythingYouEverWantedtoKnowaboutWorkingwithNativeCommunities,butWereAfraidtoAsk”toincludesmall-groupdiscussionsthatinvitedNativeleadersandmainstreamfunderstosharetheirexperiencesdirectlywitheachother.
Evenwithexpertguidance,athree-hourconversationbetweenpeoplewhodonotknoweachotherseemedariskyventure.Nativeleaderswouldbeattendingtheconferenceforthefirsttime.Funderswereunaccustomedtomeetingwithgrantseekersintheconferencesetting.Becausetheplanningcommitteehadscrappedatraditionalpanelformat,allthoseattendingwouldbeexpectedtoparticipateinsmalldiscussiongroups.
Theroomwasfilledtocapacity.Moreimportantly,theconversationswerefilledwithbothusefulinformationandhonestemotion.KenGordonlaterreflectedthatintroductionsmadethatdayultimatelyresultedinnewgrantstoseveralNativeorganizations.Thesessiondemonstratedtheimportanceof(1)clearinformationaboutworkinginIndianCountry,(2)morehonestandunstructuredconversationsbetweengrantmakersandgrantrecipients,and(3)adequatetimeforpeopletogettoknoweachother.ItalsoprovedaturningpointforPhilanthropyNorthwest,ensuringourcommitmenttocontinuebuildingrelationshipsandbestpracticesforphilanthropyinIndianCountry.We’vebeenholdingsessionslikethisoneatourconferenceseversince.
18 Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 2007.19 Ibid., chapter 2, paragraph 53.20 Located in Anchorage, Alaska, The CIRI Foundation is a private foundation whose mission is to encourage education and career development of
Alaska Native original enrollees of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and their direct lineal descendants. Learn more at www.thecirifoundation.org.
26
lesson #6
build true partnerships
Philanthropy Northwest board member Jo Ann Eder, O.P. & W. E. Edwards Foundation, with Dr. Henrietta Mann, Professor Emeritus, Montana State University, at the Philanthropy Northwest 2006 Annual Conference, Big Sky, MT
27
PhilanthropyNorthwestoffersitsmembersvaluableopportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopment.Trainingprogramsandeventsheldyear-roundcovertopicsfromAtoZ:federalregulationtoprogramevaluation,earlylearningtohealthcarereform.But,ourmembersreportthatthemostimportantbenefitissimplythechancetomeetandworkwithoneanother.Incontrast,nonprofitleadersexpressadeepsenseofisolationfromfunders.Nativenonprofitleadersexperiencethesebarriersmorethanmost.EightypercentoffunderssurveyedbytheFoundationCenterdonotgivetoNativeprojects.21
Breakingdownwallsbetweengrantmakersandgrantseekersiswidelyunderstoodtobedifficult.However,itisnotanimpossibleproblem.Thereareprovenstrategiesforbuildingnewanddeeperrelationships.Sometimes,ithappenswhenasinglefoundationtakesaboldstep.Othertimes,ithappenswhenfundersactcollectivelytobreakdownthebarriers.Herearethreestoriesthathaveinspiredus.
native americans in philanthropy and the circle of leadership
AtPhilanthropyNorthwestweareparticularlygratefulforourpartnershipwithNativeAmericansinPhilanthropy(NAP),anationalaffinitygroupofferingon-the-groundsupporttothefield,aswellasprofessionaldevelopmenttoNativeAmericanspursuingphilanthropiccareers.NAP-sponsoredNativeRegionalInstituteconferences,programs,awebsite,andongoingcommunicationshaveimprovedPhilanthropyNorthwestprogramsandhelpedourmembersbuildstrongerconnectionsinIndianCountry.OnesmallstoryillustrateshowNAP’sbridge-buildingchangeslives.
In2009,ShelleyMeans,WhiteEarthChippewa/OglalaLakota,wasataturningpoint.Hersonwasenteringthefirstgrade,andforthefirsttimeinyears,Shelleycouldthinkabouthowshemightdevotemoreenergytohercommunity.AnunexpectedemailfromNAParrivedinherinboxannouncingthatapplicationsforNAP’sCircleofLeadershipAcademywerenowbeingaccepted.TheprogramofferedyoungNativeleadersanopportunitytolearnaboutorganizedphilanthropythroughan18-monthscheduleofseminars,peerlearning,andpracticalexperience.Ifaccepted,Shelleywouldneedtofindamentortoserveasacoachthroughtheprogram.
WhiletheRussellFamilyFoundation’smissiondoesnotmentionworkinIndianCountry,itsCEO,RichardWoo,believesdeeplyintheimportanceofdiversityinphilanthropy.HewasintriguedwhenShelleycalledhim,andultimatelyagreedtoserveashermentor.Shelleywasacceptedintotheacademy,andRichardhelpedhertofulfillherobligationasaNAPFellow.Shelleybegan“shadowing”Richardatwork,attendingfoundationandcommunitymeetings,workingdirectlywithfoundationstaff,andpresentinginformationaboutthenearbyPuyallupTribe.ShealsohelpedPhilanthropyNorthwestplanconferencesin2010and2011.
WiththeFoundation’ssupport,Shelleybecameabridgebuilderintheregion,connectingmainstreammembersofPhilanthropyNorthwest,PotlatchFund,andNAP.Operatingseamlesslybetweenorganizations,shehostedmeetings,plannedconferences,counseledbothphilanthropistsandnonprofitsalike,wroteblogs,andarrangedsitevisitstoNativeorganizations.(Herpost“WhatCanBeGainedfromaDayontheBus”isawonderfulexampleofherinitiativeandenergy.22)ShewastheembodimentofNAP’smissiontoadvancephilanthropicpracticesgroundedinNativevaluesandtraditions.
21 For details, see “Foundation Funding for Native American Issues and Peoples” by the Foundation Center and Native Americans in Philanthropy, 2011, at http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/ff_nativeamerican.pdf.
22 See the blog post at www.potlatchfund.org/blog/?p=728.
28
AtaNAPeventinspring2010,RichardandShelleyspokeaboutbecomingco-mentorstoeachother,andthechallengesoftransformationalleadershipacrosscultures.Listeningtoeachofthem,itwasclearthatinvitingShelleyintotheRussellFamilyFoundationhadchangedbothoftheirperceptionsaboutphilanthropy.And,asourstorydemonstrates,itallowedShelleytocontinuetobuildbridgesbetweenphilanthropyandIndianCountry.
the montana roundtables and 2030 Vision
Ataboutthesametime,theNorthwestAreaFoundation,alongwiththeFoundationforCommunityVitalityinMontana,launchedtheirownbridge-buildingworkinIndianCountry.ThetwofoundationsweredeterminedtocreateanddeepenconnectionsbetweenNorthwestfundersandNativeleaders.TheystartedwithaninvitationtorepresentativesofbothgroupstomeetinBillings,Montana,forathree-dayroundtablediscussion.There,stakeholderswouldexplorehowphilanthropycouldbetterengagewithandbemoreeffectiveinIndianCountry.ThisfirstroundtablewouldinformasecondlargerconveningamongfundersandNativeleaders.
Byallaccounts,thefirstmeetingwasasuccess.Onefunder,JeanAgather,executivedirectorofOroYPlataFoundation,reflectingonthemeeting,sentaheartfeltmessageandgifttohercolleagues:
Aftertheroundtable,Iheadedmycarwestforthe450-miletriphome,turnedonmyCDplayer,andsettledinthinkingabout…thecollaborationweachieved.Oneofmyall-timefavoriteMontanaCDsbegantoplayandIwasstruckbyhowthesongsspokepoeticallytothetopicsandrelation-shipsweponderedatourgathering…Ihopethat[thesesongs]willremindyouofthespecialtimeweshared.23
Ultimatelymorethan20fundersjoinedthesecondmeetingattheMountainSkyGuestRanchthreemonthslaterto“examinegapsandmisconceptions,developafar-reachingvision,andoutlinealong-termframeworkforgrantmakinginNativecommunities.”AllagreedthattheworkhadtobeginwithaclearcommitmenttoNativevaluesofrespect,reciprocity,long-termcommitment,andtrust.TheroundtableconversationswerethebasisforareportentitledThe 2030 Vision for Self-Determined Native Communities.24
a focus on community-building
Atthe2011PhilanthropyNorthwestconference,eightphilanthropicleaders25reflectedonthesignificanceoftheMontanaroundtablesandtheexcitementtheysharedaboutlearningtogetherwithNativeleaders.Whiletheconversationstartedbyreflectingonthecreationof2030Vision anditsgoals,itquicklyshiftedtopersonalstoriesofrelationship-building,appreciation,andapplicationsofthevisiontocurrentphilanthropicwork.DanaArvisoservedasawitnesstotheconversation,recordingitforPhilanthropyNorthwestandothers.
23 Private email communication from Jean Agather, Oro Y Plata Foundation, 2010.24 The 2030 Vision for Self-Determined Native Communities describes a future where vital and vibrant Native communities are common across Indian
Country. See www.nativephilanthropy.org/system/files/user/NWAF%20Presentation%20for%20Native%20Vision%20at%202011%20NPI.pdf. To learn more, see www.philanthropynw.org/2030Vision.
25 Leaders participating were Justin Huenemann, president and CEO of Native American Community Development Institute; Carly Hare, president of Native Americans in Philanthropy; Kevin Walker, president of Northwest Area Foundation; Lynda Bourque-Moss, executive director of Foundation for Community Vitality; Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer, executive director of Hopa Mountain and board member of the Charlotte Martin Foundation; Harvey Stewart, trustee, Foundation for Community Vitality; Bill Vesneski, program officer, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; and Martin Jennings, program officer, Northwest Area Foundation.
29
2030 vision for self-determined native communities
30
ThelastformalpresentationcamefromBillVesneski,directorofevaluation,planning,andresearchatthePaulG.AllenFamilyFoundation.Bill’sjobclearlyrequiresahighdegreeofcomfortwithdata,timelines,analysis,andreports.HeevaluateshowmillionsofdollarsingrantsfromthePaulG.AllenFamilyFoundationaremakingadifferencetotheorganizationsandpeopletheysupport.Byhisowndescription,theMontanaroundtablesreframedthewayhethinksabouttheFoundation’sroleinIndianCountry.“Thereisalwaysthistensioninphilanthropyaroundwhatwemeasure.Thetruthisthatfundersmeasurewhatisavailableandthatleadstomeasuringdeficits.Weneedtofigureouthowtomeasureassets.”TheconversationsinMontanaclarifiedforBilltheneedforphilanthropytocreatedeeperconnectionswithNativeleadersandtodevelopamoreconcreteappreciationforassetsandpartnership.
Billtoldhisstoryeloquentlyandpersuasively,explainingtherelationshipsoftrustheisdevelopinginIndianCountry,andthecommitmentthePaulG.AllenFamilyFoundationhasmadetoworkinpartnershipwithNativecommunities.OnJanuary31,2012,thePaulG.AllenFamilyFoundationannouncedalmost$1millioningrantstoNativeorganizations.
paul g. allen family foundation grants to native organizations (2010 - 2011)
grant organization grant amount
Alaska Conservation Foundation $225,000
Boys & girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation $143,000
Craft3 To support technical assistance and a loan fund for Native entrepreneurs $240,000
First Nations Development Institute $200,000
Hopa Mountain Foundation $180,000
Koahnic Broadcast Corporation $90,000
Lummi Nation Service organization $300,000
oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network $165,000
Southcentral Foundation $150,000
total $1,693,000
Similarly,theNorthwestAreaFoundation,guidedby 2030Vision,announcedthatitwaslaunchingaNativeAmericanSocialEntrepreneurshipInitiativetoincreasethenumberandstrengthofreservation-basedNativebusinesses.Supportedby$1.6millioningrants,theinitiativeisintendedtobolsterNativefinancialinstitutionsthatgrownewbusinessesandjobsthat,overtime,buildstrongercommunities.26
26 Martin Jennings, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, program officer at Northwest Area Foundation explains that the grants of this initiative focus on strengthening operations and long-term sustainability of Native institutions, and apply entrepreneurial principles to address social issues. Participants will pilot innovative asset-based strategies to lead to community change.
31
northwest area foundation native american social entrepreneurship initiative grantees (2011)
organization grant amount
oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network $491,627
Four Bands Community Fund Inc. $100,000
Confederated tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – Business Service Center $200,000
Hunkpati Investments Inc. $200,000
Lakota Funds $200,000
Northwest Native Development Fund $200,000
taala Fund $200,000
total $1,591,627
Inadditiontothegrantslistedabove,theNorthwestAreaFoundationisalsosupportingthreeTribalcommunitiesthroughtheirVenturesprogram.TheCheyenneRiverSiouxfromSouthDakota,LummiNationfromWashington,andTurtleMountainBandofChippewafromNorthDakotaallhavecreatedcommunitydevelopmentfinancialinstitutions(CDFIs)asanintegralpartoftheir10-yearcommunityplanstoreducepovertyandbuildprosperity.
32
lesson #7
the long view
One of the youngest participants of Philanthropy Northwest 2006 Annual Conference, Big Sky, MT
33
ItisundeniablethatthehistoryofdeprivationinIndianCountryhascreatedsystemicdisparitiesandineffectivegovernancestructuresforNativepeople,robbingmanyofthemoftheirhealth,theireconomicpotentialand,insomeinstances,theirhope.AsourNativeguidesremindedus,Nativepeopleneedmorethandollarsandgoodintentionsfromphilanthropists;theyalsoneedtobeheard.
RecognizingthatNativecommunitiesareresilientandcohesive—thattheysafeguardvaluescriticaltocivilsocietylikecooperation,commonpurpose,reciprocity,andrespect—isagoodplacetostart.FunderscanalsoremainopentothepossibilitythatNativeknowledge,history,values,andcultureareassetsinbuildingcommunitiesandadvancingNativehealth.And,finallyandimportantly,funderscanbegintoacknowledgethattheirownmisperceptionsandbuilt-inassumptionsmaygetinthewayofproductivepartnerships.The underlying thesis of this paper is that funders will make a bigger contribution to life in Indian Country if they listen to and learn from their Native partners.
Thereisalsoonefinalchallengethatmaybedifficultforfunderstoaddress:WorkingsuccessfullyinIndianCountryrequireslong-termengagement.Toillustratethis,let’sreturntoShelleyMeans.PriortoherfellowshipintheCircleofLeadershipAcademy,ShelleydemonstratedhercommitmenttoreducinghighratesofinfantmortalityonreservationsbyworkingwithagroupcalledNativeAmericanWomen’sDialogueonInfantMortality(NAWDIM),acommunitygroupfocusedonimprovinghealthcareforNativewomenandincreasingthelikelihoodthattheywouldhavehealthypregnancies.27Thegroupreliesonculturaltraditions,oralhistory,advocacy,andstrongcommunitytoachieveitsgoal.
WhileintheCircleofLeadershipprogram,ShelleyhelpedNAWDIMwriteagrantproposaltotheWashingtonWomen’sFoundation,anetworkofphilanthropicwomeninSeattle.ThegoalofthegrantwastoreducethesocialisolationofNativemothersbybringingwomentogethertomakecradleboardsandtosharestoriesasafirststeptowardincreasinghealthybehaviorsandaccesstohealthcare.
AttheWashingtonWomen’sFoundation,theprojectfoundaresponsiveaudience.Afterathoughtfulandcompetitiveprocess,thefoundation’smembershipmadeasmallgranttoNAWDIM’sprogram.Itwasanimportantconnectionforbothorganizations.
Investinginanewgenerationis“takingthelongview.”Soisinvestinginorganizationsthattrainleaders,buildcommunity,andencouragenewpoliticalalliances.Someofthemostexcitingprogramswe’veseeninthepastfiveyearsareengagedinlong-termcapacitybuildingwork.ConsiderFirstAlaskansInstitute
27 This is one of the most troubling disparities between Native and non-Native populations. Similarly, premature births and low birth weight are also higher among Native infants. Fetal alcohol syndrome is ten times more likely to occur in a Native infant than in a white child, and it has profound consequences for the long-term well-being of the child. Without question, better access to prenatal care and parent education would allow more Native children to grow up to become healthy and successful adults.
All is a circle and a hoop within me. If I speak in the language you taught me I am all but one. Look inside the circle and the hoopYou will see your relation and nations. Your relation to the four legged And the two legged And the winged ones And to the mother earth the grandfather sun the grandmother moon the direction and the sacred seasons. And the universe You will find love for your relation. Look further inside the sacred circle And the sacred hoop In the center of the circle and the hoop You will feel the spirit of the great creator He is in the center of everything Learn about what you are By observing what you are not.
Hank Lee LaRose
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anditsworktobringNativevoicesintopublicpolicyconversations.Althoughthereisnocertaintyaboutwheresucheffortswilllead,noraretheremetricstomeasurethefullimpacttheymayachieve,FirstAlaskansisstartingachainreactionthatwillimprovethelivesofAlaskaNatives.Similarly,theNorthwestAreaFoundationbelievesnewinvestmentsitismakinginNativebusinesseswillhaveapayoffwellbeyonddollarsandcents.ByincorporatingNativewisdomintoitsgrantmakingstrategies,theNorthwestAreaFoundationisbuildingthecapacityofNativepeopletocharttheirowndestiny.
TherearehopefulsignsthatphilanthropyislearningtoplayacreativeandconstructiveroleinIndianCountry.Onefinalobservationperhapsismosthelpful.Severalyearsago,theNorthwestAreaFoundationmadealeadgranttotheNativeAmericansinPhilanthropyCircleofLeadershipAcademy—thefellowshipprogramthatShelleyMeansparticipatedin.Theprogramofficershadnowayofknowingexactlyhowtheirgrantmightchangelives.Certainlytheydidn’tknowthattheirgrantwouldconnectaWhiteEarthChippewa/OglalaLakotawomantothefamilyfoundationofthemanforwhomtheRussell500Indexisnamed.NorcouldtheyhaveknownthatshewouldwriteacompellinggrantproposalfortheNativeAmericanWomen’sDialogueonInfantMortality(NAWDIM),orthatherwordswouldinspirethe500-memberWashingtonWomen’sFoundationtomaketheirfirst-evergranttoaNative-lednonprofit.Noonecouldhavepredictedthoseresults,andnoonecanpredictthenewpossibilitiesthattheseconnectionswillopen.
concluding thoughtsThroughoutNativesongsandprayers,theimageofacirclehelpstoconveymanyofthemostimportantspiritualconceptsofNativeculture:adeepreverencefortheearthandsky,theconnectionbetweenhumanbeingsandtheenvironment,thecycleofseasons.ACrowprayerimplores,“MayIseethenewgrassofsummer.”AnEskimosongcelebrates,“Earthandthegreatweathermoveme,havecarriedmeawayandmoveinwardpartswithjoy.”Thesepoemscelebratelifeandremindusthateachofusispartofalarger,interconnecteduniverse.
PhilanthropyNorthwest’smembershiprepresentsthesixstatesofAlaska,Idaho,Montana,Oregon,Washington,andWyoming.Thisregionisourlandscape,andourhome.ItisalsoandhasalwaysbeenIndianCountry.ThejoyofworkingwithourneighborsinIndianCountryisthatwedeepenourcommitmenttovaluesofrelationship,reciprocityandhonesty.Welearnmoreaboutoursharedlandscapesandhistory.WestrengthenourconvictionthatallNorthwestcommunities,whenproperlyunderstood,respected,andsupported,havewithinthemthecapacitytocreateavibrant,healthyfuture.
PhilanthropyNorthwesthasbeenenrichedbyitsjourneyintoIndianCountry.Wehavemadenewfriends,startedcreativepartnerships,andbeenremindedofhowimportantitisforhumanbeingstovalueeachotherandthelandtheyliveon.AsPhilanthropyNorthwest’sjourneycontinues,weremaindeeplygratefultoallthosewhohavebeensuchgenerousguides.
28 Song from the Kitlinuharmiut (Copper Eskimo), published in Birket-Smith, Kaj, Ethnographical collections from the Northwest Passage (Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition 1921-1924). Gyldendalske boghandel (1945). Found in Field Notes: the Polar Field Services Newsletter: www.polarfield.com/blog/tag/inuit-traditional-song.
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Although we alone are responsible for the content of this report, we want to acknowledge that it is better for the generous participation of the following reviewers and editors. throughout the process of writing this report, we looked to them for guidance and wisdom. In each case they were generous beyond reasonable expectation.
Dana Arviso, DinéKelly BrownAnne FockeBarbara DingfieldKen gordonAudrey HabermanCarly Hare, Pawnee/Yankton SiouxLyn Hunter
Martin Jennings, Leech Lake Band of ojibweDaniel Kemmisted LordByron Mallott, tlingitShelley Means, White Earth Chippewa/oglala LakotaDenise Morris, AleutBill VesneskiKevin Walker
thanks to the former and current Philanthropy Northwest board of directors, who consistently supported this work, especially David Bley, Kathy Bryon, Jeff Clarke, Sue Coliton, Jo Ann Eder, Diane Kaplan, Daniel Kemmis, Byron Mallott, Ruth Massinga, and Kevin Walker.
We also want to thank the Paul g. Allen Family Foundation for making this report possible, and acknowledge the ongoing contributions of the D5 Initiative and Native Americans in Philanthropy.
For more information, visit our website at www.philanthropynw.org/JourneyIntoIndianCountry.
philanthropy northwestCarol Lewis, CEo2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 650Seattle, WA 98121ph: 206-443-8430 fax: 206-441-4622toll free: 1-877-769-2752 or 877-PNW-ASK2
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©2012 Philanthropy Northwest. All rights reserved.