Greetings

Native Americans in Philanthropy is excited to bring to you the "latest news." In this issue, we give you our most important information regarding...

The Circle of Leadership Program at Native Americans in Philanthropy Native Americans in Philanthropy Annual Meeting & Native Philanthropy Institute We need your nominations for Board of Directors, Flying Eagle Woman Award and Louis T. Delgado Distinguished Grantmaker Award

Thank you for renewing your memberships and supporting Native Americans in Philanthropy as we bring you more wonderful news and opportunities! As your support continues, we are able to revamp member benefits and bring to you more resources, such as the Circle of Giving newsletter.

Take care and enjoy this very informative issue.

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

Leadership Circle Takes Shape In The Midwest

Native Americans in Philanthropy and Partners Launch Pilot Program to Promote Giving in Tribal Communities

One by one, they went around the circle introducing themselves and explaining their commitments to Native communities.

"My philosophy is to be of service," said one participant. "To my community, my tribe, and to you."

Others pointed to powerful traditions of generosity and responsibility they first learned from parents and grandparents.

"I read this textbook about philanthropy," said another. "And the main thing that occurred to me was that 'We're already doing this!'"

Written by David Cournoyer, Board Chair of Native Americans in Philanthropy

To Read This Article & find out more about the Circle of Leadership program.

Native Americans in Philanthropy Annual Meeting & Native Philanthropy Institute

April 10-11, 2006

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, Minnesota

The Native Philanthropy Institute will build awareness and capacity for fund development and fundraising, marketing and communications, leadership development and skill-building for Native projects. Our goals are to provide the growing field of Tribal and Native philanthropy with tools for strategic grantmaking, while at the same time providing these foundations and other Native nonprofits tools to raise more funds - and together to "tell their story" more effectively - remaining grounded in their communities and strength of the cultures.

All those committed to Tribal and Native philanthropy - organizations and individuals - will want to attend the Native Philanthropy Institute. We will share knowledge and expertise and build the capacity of Native fundraisers and grantmakers.

Plan to attend! Enjoy collaborating with others, workshops, great food and attend our Annual Meeting. Members pay only $50, as others will pay $190, which includes membership! Registration Deadline is March 31, 2006. Deadline for hotel reservations are March 14, 2006 (details on registration form).

Native Americans in Philanthropy is working with The Center for Native American Public Radio to further utilize this gathering to interview those who are involved in the growth and development of Native philanthropy and raising funds for Native communities. These interviews will be broadcast to more than half a million listeners in fourteen states.

View our Native Philanthropy Institute Web Page for more detailed information.

Native Americans in Philanthropy Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting, formerly held during the Council on Foundations Annual Conference, will be held during the Native Philanthropy Institute. This will be a unique and powerful opportunity for all our members, foundation representatives, Tribal and Native Foundations and non-profits to come together to discuss programmatic activities and inform our priorities for the coming year for Native Americans in Philanthropy. Proposed by-law changes will be sent to current members in March. The newly elected Board of Directors will be announced, Program and Audit Reports will be presented.

Native Americans in Philanthropy Seeking Nominations

Flying Eagle Woman Community Based Philanthropy Award
Due February 17th at 12 noon Central Time The Flying Eagle Woman Award was initiated in response to the loss of (O'Peqyaw-Metamoh ) Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa. O'Peqyaw-Metamoh passed into the spirit world on March 4, 1999. She was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and proud citizen of the Menominee Nation. Ingrid was an internationally known humanitarian who worked to further Indigenous peoples' rights, Indigenous women's issues, sovereignty, human rights throughout the world. Throughout her lifetime, Ingrid was an activist when it came to promoting Indigenous cultures and traditions. She was Board Chair of Native Americans in Philanthropy.

The essence of Indigenous cultures is manifested through acts of giving. As an expression of their cultures and in honoring the principle of generosity, Indigenous peoples give to honor, celebrate, and show their responsibility towards family members, friends and community. The nominee for the Flying Eagle Woman Award for Community- Based Philanthropy shall be an Indigenous person who clearly demonstrates that they are guided by Indigenous thinking and philosophy, including a holistic, community centered approach to living and giving. Nomination forms are due February 17th at 12 noon Central Time.

Louis T. Delgado Distinguished Grantmaker Award
Due February 17th at 12 noon Central Time The Louis T. Delgado Distinquished Grantmaker Award was established in honor of Board Member emeritus Louis T. Delgado. Mr. Delgado is currently with Loyola University of Chicago, Philanthropy & Nonprofit Sector Program and is well known for his recruitment and mentoring of Indian people coming into the field. The Award was established in recognition of the tenacity and power that Mr. Delgado has brought to the field of philanthropy and his commitment to bridging knowledge between philanthropy and Native communities.

The essence of Indigenous cultures is manifested through acts of giving. As an expression of their cultures and in honoring the principle of generosity, Indigenous peoples give to honor, celebrate, and show their responsibility towards family members, friends and community. The nominee for the Louis T. Delgado Distinguished Grantmaker Award nominees must fulfill the criteria of understanding and advancing the role of philanthropy between Native Indigenous communities and mainstream philanthropy. Nomination forms are due February 17th at 12 noon Central Time.

Board of Directors
Due March 1 at 12 noon Central Time Nominations are being sought for positions on the Board of Directors. This year, there are 4 seats up for (re) election. If by-law changes are approved we will elect 2 additional representatives from our membership to the Board. Current members of Native Americans in Philanthropy with tribal affiliation are eligible to be nominated for board elections. If you know of someone you would like to nominate but are not sure of their membership, please check with that person and encourage them to join if they have not already done so. Nominations must be received on or before March 1st at 12 noon Central to be included on the election ballot.

In the interest of broadening our membership we are seeking nominations but are not limited to nominations from:

• East coast
• West coast
• Tribal giving program
• Native Foundation/Fund
• Corporate Giving Program/Foundation
• Arts & Culture
• Media/Communications
• Finances & Investments
• Fundraising experience

According to the by-laws of Native Americans in Philanthropy, General Membership in Native Americans in Philanthropy is open to all Native peoples who are on the staff, boards of directors or governing bodies of either corporate, foundation or native grantmaking organizations that are committed, through philanthropic efforts, to advance the issues facing Native peoples and indigenous communities. General members and representatives of Organizational Membership with tribal affiliation have voting privileges. Affiliate membership and non-tribal affiliates are non-voting.

Board positions include active involvement in various committee work including: fundraising, program development, research and governance of Native Americans in Philanthropy with quarterly Board calls and at least one in-person Retreat Board Meeting. If you should have any questions regarding the nomination or election process, please contact Joy Persall, Executive Director, at jpersall @nativephilanthropy.org or 612-724-8798.

Thank you for your consideration in being nominated or nominating someone for election to the Native Americans in Philanthropy Board of Directors.

Download Nomination Forms

SMSC Gives Energy Assistance to Yankton and Rosebud Sioux Tribes

Prior Lake, Minnesota - Since South Dakota winters can be brutally cold, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announces $300,000 in grants for fiscal year 2006 for energy assistance to the Yankton Sioux Tribe (YST) of Marty, South Dakota, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, of Mission, South Dakota.

Both the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Rosebud Sioux Tribes administer a federal energy assistance program called LIHEAP which provides emergency funds for electricity, propane, fuel oil, wood, and plastic sheeting for windows. LIHEAP stands for Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program. The SMSC is donating $150,000 each to the Yankton Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe LIHEAP Programs for energy assistance during the winter months.

View this article

Other News

Seventh Generation Fund announces new Executive Director
Tia Oros Peters (Zuni) has been selected as the Seventh Generation Fund's new Executive Director. She joined the Seventh Generation Fund 13 years ago and has served most recently as the organization's Program & Special Projects Director. Tia has been involved with community organizing and Native issue advocacy for nearly two decades and will continue her focused work on social, environmental and cultural justice for Native peoples and territories within the local, national and international arenas as the Fund's Executive Director. She can be reached at 707-825-7640 x 11. For information on the Seventh Generation Fund, go to www.7genfund.org.

American Indian Homelands:
Matters of truth, honor and dignity immemorial American Indian Homelands DVD available. Narrated by ABC news anchor, Sam Donaldson, the documentary addresses land tenure issues critical to the well-being of American Indians throughout the United States. The film addresses efforts to rectify a century's worth of legal and political moves to undermine Indian land tenure and self-government dating back to the General Allotment Act of 1887.

For a personal copy of the DVD send check or money order to: Indian Land Tenure Foundation or order online go to www.indianlandtenure.org