Friday, April 23rd, 2010
DAY 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 23rd, 2010
Hilton Garden Inn-Denver Downtown, 1400 Welton Street, Downtown Denver
7:00-8:30a Continental Breakfast
8:30a Plenary: Welcome & Overview
NAP Executive Director Joy Persall and NAP Board Chair Ron Rowell
Opening prayer by John Emhoolah (Kiowa), Denver community leader
Welcome by Richard Williams, President, American Indian College Fund
9:15a Plenary: Native Americans in Philanthropy’s Strategies for Using Philanthropy & Leadership Development to Promote Social Change in Native Communities
Overview of Native Americans in Philanthropy’s philosophy for social change to guide its work, particularly in key regions. This overview will touch on an indigenous philanthropy framework that considers giving as a two-way exchange, leadership development of Native philanthropic practitioners, and networking of Native leaders and innovators.
10:00 Q&A with Audience
10:15 Break
10:30 Plenary: Small-group Discussion
Small group discussions will build energy and allow people to discuss regional issues.
Full-group Sharing
11-6 Lobby/foyer: Exhibitor space open
12pm LUNCH PLENARY: OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORTING HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN & COMMUNITIES
With increasing attention from federal authorities and decisionmakers in states where there are significant tribal populations, Native Americans are developing innovative solutions to socioeconomic challenges that build on strengths such as extended families and culture. This session will provide a snapshot of current strategies to support Native children, youth and families. A national operating foundation, Casey Family Programs dedicates significant resources toward Indian child welfare, family strengthening and development of culturally based approaches to change at multiple levels. The Denver Indian Center is using collaborative strategies to serve urban children and families that come from multiple tribes across the Plains and Southwest. Finally, the issue of Indian education has seen greater attention from the Obama Administration at both the U.S. Department of Education and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Presenters: Lucille Echohawk, Casey Family Programs; Jay Grimm, Denver Indian Center; and Wizipan Garriott, Bureau of Indian Affairs
1:30p Lobby/foyer: Exhibitor/innovator showcase
2:00p Afternoon Breakout Sessions I
Track 1: Grantmaking Lessons
Track 2: Effective Native Social-change Strategies
Track 3: Contemporary Indian Realities in Cities and Reservations
(Track 1: Grantmaking Lessons) FOUNDATION CASE STUDY ON NATIVE GIVING STRATEGY – This session will focus on lessons from the Lannan Foundation in 15 years of work in its Indigenous Communities Program. Presenter: Laurie Betlach, Lannan Foundation
(Track 2: Effective Native Social-change Strategies) PROMOTING CULTURAL TRADITIONS IN “SILENT-GIVING” WHILE PROACTIVELY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT TRIBAL CHARITY – Over the past 18 years, the Tulalip Tribes have seen remarkable transformation in their community north of Everett, Washington. With a commercial and entertainment complex bordering Interstate 5 that is the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, the Tribes annually award about $3 million in charitable gifts. To make decisions on directing these awards, the Tulalip Tribes call upon an anonymous committee of tribal members who are selected at random and serve rotating, two-year terms. The structure is designed to bring absolute integrity into the decision-making process, while capitalizing on community wisdom and reflecting tribal values that stress giving without taking credit. Against this backdrop, the Tribes sponsor an annual “raising hands” event designed to spotlight some 200 grantee organizations, while educating non-Native community leaders about Tulalip tribal traditions and contemporary priorities. Presenters: John McCoy and Marilyn Sheldon, Tulalip Tribes
(Track 3: Contemporary Indian Realities in Cities and Reservations) CAPACITY-BUILDING IN NATIVE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS – Similar to other under-resourced communities, Native groups have particular challenges in building capacity in ways that capitalize on cultural and community assets and effectively address contextual differences. Led by the Seattle-based Potlatch Fund, this session will highlight successful examples. Presenters: Ken Gordon and Heather Miller, Potlatch Fund
3:30 Break
3:45 Breakout Sessions II
(Track 1: Grantmaking Lessons) A FOUNDATION STRATEGY FOR NATIVE NATION-BUILDING – The goal of “Native nation-building” is central to a new 10-year strategic plan of the Archibald Bush Foundation, which is supporting 23 nations that share the same geography as Minnesota, No. Dakota and So. Dakota to strengthen governance and self-determination. The Foundation recognizes the sovereignty of each of the nations and is cooperating with tribes on individual agendas for strengthening governing institutions. The planning process has included intensive outreach and respect for protocol. Among key strategies, the Foundation is building tribal partnerships with the leaders of the 23 nations, engaging resource partners who will support the tribes with expertise, tools and training, and facilitating partnerships between tribal governments and other governments to collaborate on cross-boundary solution-building. The foundation also just launched a Native Nations Rebuilders Program for Native leaders from each nation. Presenter: June Noronha, Bush Foundation
(Track 2: Effective Native Social-change Strategies) ADVOCACY IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES – Advocating for change occurs differently in Native communities, where preferences for deliberate consensus-building, intergenerational dynamics, and other issues come into play. The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, which has studied the impact of community organizing funding in three states (Minnesota, No. Carolina and New Mexico), will be part of a discussion that includes successful Native examples from New Mexico and elsewhere. Presenters: Aaron Dorfman, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy; Susan Jenkins, Cherokee Preservation Foundation; S.D. State Rep. Kevin Killer and Sophia Kizilbash, Native Youth Leadership Alliance
(Track 3: Contemporary Indian Realities in Cities and Reservations) EXPLORING LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES IN INDIAN COUNTRY –
Emerging Native leaders will lead this interactive session for attendees to explore key issues such as education, health, family strengthening and economic development in Indian communities.
5:15p Foyer: Reception & Closing Remarks
7:00p Dinner on your own
7:00p Native Americans in Philanthropy Circle of Leaders / First Nations Development Institute LEAD Program Dinner (invitation only)
8:30 Movie Night (optional activity) –
Join fellow attendees in watching two documentaries exploring issues of historical trauma, relocation and dispersal as they relate to Native American and Asian American communities.
