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

3

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.

7

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.

8

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.

11

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

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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.”

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lesson #4

learn from mistakes

Hands of a Navajo Elder at Sheep is Life Festival

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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

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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)

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lesson #5

the importance of storytelling

Susan Anderson, President/CEO, The CIRI Foundation

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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.

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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.

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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

info@PhilanthropyNW.orgwww.PhilanthropyNW.org

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