Greetings!

Color Moon. While the squirrels are scurrying to gather food for the winter we at Native Americans in Philanthropy are busy attending conferences and advocating for increased funding and self- determination of our communities. We also want to take this time to recognize the significant life changes and losses that have occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina. NCAI, NIGA and many others are responding by gathering resources in support of rebuilding lives, access to services, and justice and fairness are upheld. This will be long-term work and require our commitment to building communities for the future. This is the way of Native Communities and this is the strength of true philanthropy selfless giving.

While communities in the south rebuild, Native Americans in Philanthropy staff and board will continue to promote investment in leadership development and increasing resources for strength and self-determination in our communities across the nation - we seek your wisdom and your support. You can begin today by renewing your membership on-line at www.nativephilanthropy.org other to become members. You can send us your articles, your grants listings and your best resources. We can link them to our website or host them on our server. Our intent is to spread knowledge about Native communities and giving, to link us to each other and strengthen our philanthropic resource network. Our intent is to share your successes and your stories. Send us your news and your suggestions. Look over the new Media Resource Center on the website and help us to expand it. Send in your membership today and join in building and strengthening Native philanthropy.

Joy A Persall, Executive Director & Neely M. Snyder, Administrative Associate.

Response to Katrina - Giving News in Indian Country

NCAI Coordinating Hurricane Relief Fund for Tribes
As our brothers and sisters in southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama deal with the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters to ever strike the U.S., the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) offers it prayers of support to the tribes and people of the region.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Indian Nations located in the region effected by Hurricane Katrina", said NCAI President Tex G. Hall. "It is times like this when it is important for Native people to come together to help one another out."

NCAI has attempted to contact tribes that were in or near the path of Hurricane Katrina and has had success with some yet unable to reach others.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana sustained some wind and rain damage but the tribes members that live in Slidell, La. felt the brunt of the storm, according to the tribal chairmans office. Tribal members living in that area lost everything. Homes were completely destroyed, but fortunately there has been no loss of life reported among tribal members as most of them appear to have made it into shelters. The tribe has become a refuge for some trying to escape the aftermath of the storm as its Mari Center, which houses the tribes Paragon Casino, has become a Red Cross shelter which now houses nearly 600 refugees.

Reached via phone, the Poarch Creek Indians of southern Alabama say they only sustained minor wind damage with no major damage on the reservation and the community does have power. The storms effect on tribal membership in other areas is the main concern, according to Poarch Creek Management Director April Sells.

No United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) were directly hit by Katrina but tribal members living elsewhere were hit hard, said Sell. We are currently loading up clothing, food, water and food for those with diabetes to take to the Chitamacha Band of Poarch Creek Indians in Louisiana where a shelter has been set up.

Excerpt from Ethnic Communities Rally to Help Katrina Survivors

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ethnic media across the country are tracking an outpouring of support for the various ethnic communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. American Indian groups are finding unique ways to come to the aid of tribes affected by Katrina, according to Indian Country Today. The Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribe of Fort Belknap in Montana sent meat from 10 of the tribe's bison to groups like the Poarch Creek Band in Alabama, the Coushatta Indian Tribe and the Jena Band of Choctaw in Louisiana. Some, like the Mississippi Choctaw are housing displaced members in casinos until power returns to the reservations. The National Indian Gaming Association set a $1 million goal for contributions to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, and jump-started its drive with a $5,000 donation.

Pacific News Service, News Roundup, Daffodil Altan, Sep 07, 2005. Editor's Note: Ethnic media are reporting vigorous efforts by ethnic communities to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Who's Giving

Lumina Foundation for Education announces Second-quarter 2005 grants.

July 18, 2005 - INDIANAPOLIS - Lumina Foundation for Education announced today 61 grant approvals totaling about $19 million to organizations across the country that expand college access and student success. "The Foundation continues to address the multiple barriers that impede access to and success in postsecondary education, particularly among traditionally underserved groups," said Martha D. Lamkin, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis-based Foundation. "The Foundation supports research, programs, policy work and professional leadership aimed at expanding access to education beyond high school." Example: National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education (Albuquerque, NM) - $25,000 to fund the 2005 annual institute to convene Native American educators. For more information: www.luminafoundation.org

by: Richard Walker / Indian Country Today

Wildhorse Foundation gives grants

PENDLETON, Ore. - The Wildhorse Foundation recently announced grants awarded for the first quarter of 2005, with the Salvation Army receiving $20,000 and the nursing program at Blue Mountain Community College close behind at $19,789. Another 11 organizations received between $5,000 - $10,000, with 20 groups in all receiving grants. A total of $131,056 was granted to organizations in the four counties of Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa that it serves.

The foundation receives a percentage of the net income from Wildhorse Resort & Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. In four years, grants have totaled over $1.62 million, with over 200 organizations receiving money.

Susan Plass of Blue Mountain Community College explained that the nursing program was expanding and just graduated its largest class of 45 nurses. Funds from this grant will be used for a variety of items from training mannequins to ophthalmoscopes and otoscopes. Plass thanked the Wildhorse Foundation "for the very generous grant."

For more information on Wildhorse Foundation, please visit: www.wildhorseresort.com/htm/our_foundation.htm

Otto Bremer Foundation Supports Human Rights and Social Justice with July Grants

The trustees of the Otto Bremer Foundation authorized 88 grants at its July 2005 meeting. The grants, totaling more than $3 million, support the areas of civic engagement, health accessibility, organizational effectiveness, shelter, and other human rights. Click here and scroll down to read more.

Events Significant for Native peoples in Philanthropy

Sept. 14, 2005
St. Paul, Minnesota - Giving With Honor, A Gathering of Native and Tribal Foundations hosted by First Nations Development Institute and Native Americans in Philanthropy

Sept. 19 - 21, 2005
Seattle, WA - Fall Conference for Community Foundations, Networking Reception: Monday, Sept. 19 (8 - 10 pm) - at the Harbor Club in the Norton Building;Tuesday, Sept. 20 (2:15 - 3:45), Strengthening Native Philanthropy Through Local, Regional and National Partners featuring Native Americans in Philanthropy, Potlatch Fund, Gates Foundation, and the Seattle Foundation.

September 19-22, 2005
HUD's National Indian Housing Summit in Reno, Nevada.

Sept. 25-28, 2005
2005 EGA Fall Retreat.

Oct. 8-11, 2005
The Power of Generations: Pursuing Social Justice through Sacred Relationships. National Network of Grantmakers Annual Conference at the Semiahmoo Resort (Native- owned resort North of Seattle, WA). Oct. 9, 2005 - "A Circle of Learning: The Hows and Whys of Productive Grantmaking to Native America" (4 - 5:30 pm), featuring Native Americans in Philanthropy, Fund of the Sacred Circle (Headwaters Foundation), and Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

Oct. 26-29, 2005
Native American Art Studies Association (NAASA) Conference & Travel Awards at the Marriot Suites - Old Town in Scottsdale, AZ.

Oct. 30-Nov. 4, 2005
National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention in Tulsa. Nov. 1, 2005 "Facilitating Tribal Self-Determination: Formal Philanthropy to Indian Country" (1:30 - 4:00pm), featuring Native Americans in Philanthropy, Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, others TBD Native Americans in Philanthropy General Session participation on Thursday, November 3, 2005.

Nov. 3, 2005
Third Millennium Philanthropy & Leadership Initiative - Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University (6:30 - 8pm), presentation by Native Americans in Philanthropy at the Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, IN.

Nov. 4 & 5, 2005
Eiteljorg Museum, Eiteljorg Fellowship Celebrations in Indianapolis, IN.

Nov. 18, 2005
Minnesota Council on Foundations Annual Conference Session: Community, Capacity and Native Leadership featuring Renee Gurneau (President, Red Lake Nation College), Grotto Foundation, Native Americans in Philanthropy,and Northwest Area Foundation.

More information on these & other events bookmark our events section.

Other News

Innovations Award
The Fannie Mae Foundation is pleased to announce the 2006 Innovations in American Government Award in Affordable Housing, which honors outstanding policies or programs that support the preservation or production of affordable homes, or that otherwise help to create a better environment for affordable housing. The award is administered by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government. The Innovations Awards are heralded as the premier public-sector awards in the nation, annually recognizing programs that serve as examples of creative and effective government at its best.

Minnesota Community Foundation Announces Name of Indian Fund and First Grant Award
The Minnesota Community Foundation, St. Paul, in partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Prairie Island Indian Community, announced the name of the fund the three tribes established in March.

For more information on these & and other news bookmark our news section.

Coming to Public Television Stations

Check your local listings for times.

Indian Casinos: What's Next?
NET Television, Nebraska's state public broadcasting network, in association with Native American Public Telecommunications, will produce a broadcast "town hall" style meeting on the future of casino gambling on American Indian reservations. The taping is a feature of the annual conference of the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), to be held in Lincoln, Nebraska. Indian Casinos: What's Next will be fed to stations through NETA on September 3, 2005. The complete press release on this program is available at www.nativetelecom.org/feature.html

Aleut Story
In the throes of World War II, Aleut-Americans were taken from their homes and placed in government camps. In this little known struggle for civil rights, the Aleuts joined Japanese- Americans in seeking justice.

Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action
From Alaska to Maine, Montana to New Mexico, see the stories of Native American activists dedicated to protecting Indian lands against environmental hazards, preserving their sovereignty and ensuring the cultural survival of their peoples.

Walela: Live in Concert
Join pop-singer Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla Coolidge, and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield in this musical journey of the spirit. Winner of the Native American Music Award for Best Short or Long-Form Video. Walela: Live in Concert is also available for purchase at www.visionmaker.org/walela_h.html

The Native Word: Stories Past and Present
Travel to Wisconsin to see historic Oneida journals from the 1930s, to Oklahoma for the oldest running American Indian radio program, and go around the world with musician/poet Joy Harjo.