Greetings & Thank You!

The month of November, Freezing Month, Bashkadino-giizes is a good time to reflect, thank and honor those who have committed themselves so tirelessly to the work of Native Americans in Philanthropy. Please take a moment to read our E-News and note the opportunities available to you as we work toward strengthening leadership and increasing resources with Native communities.

For members of Native Americans in Philanthropy, you will soon be receiving the Premiere Edition of our new paper newsletter, "Circle of Giving." This first edition features the Hopi Foundation and receipt of their Ford Foundation Leadership for Change Award. One benefit of membership is that you will receive this newsletter at least quarterly in the future.

Native Americans in Philanthropy staff, board and membership have been on the road and presenting at many conferences including: Council on Foundations' Community Foundations Conference, Philanthropy Northwest, National Network of Grantmakers, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University's Third Millennium Initiative in collaboration with the Eiteljorg Museum and a gathering of Tribal and Native Foundations in collaboration with First Nations Development Institute.

We appreciate the support of the Harvard Project on Indian Economic Development and NCAI for their research and commitment to collaboration in speaking and disseminating "Large Foundation Grantmaking to Native America" as well as hosting a session on "Facilitating Tribal Self-Determination: Formal Philanthropy to Indian Country and the opportunity to share at General Session. Our new DVD on Tribal and Native Philanthropy, which premiered at NCAI, will be available on the website soon.

Watch for an E-Alert announcing the date of your Annual Meeting and Native Philanthropy Institute. Please send in your membership and your news and will work to increase your connections and knowledge across Indian Country.

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

Circle of Leadership Program at NAP

We are excited to inform you about a new program we are launching at Native Americans in Philanthropy called Circle of Leadership. Circle of Leadership is designed for Native people interested in pursuing a career in philanthropy or in developing tribal giving programs.

Circle of Leadership provides an opportunity to learn about the role of philanthropy in Native communities, as well as possible career options. Participants will also gain personal development and leadership skills, and the opportunity to work with a range of Native community leaders and philanthropic professionals. In addition, Circle of Leadership will provide a forum for Native people to actively engage the difficult and challenging issues of accountability to community and the responsibilities of Native leadership in philanthropy. Applications are now being accepted until November 15, 2005!

**Our appreciation goes out to Otto Bremer Foundation for supporting the Circle of Leadership Program in the Midwest Region.**

NAP Annual Meeting & Native Philanthropy Institute

April, 2006 (date pending). Please complete the NAP Survey to provide us with your thoughts & issues on planning for the next Annual Meeting & Institute. Complete by November 11th to have a chance to win a complimentary gift basket ($200 value)!

Who's Giving

United Neighborhood Centers of America & The Annie E. Casey Foundation team up to Strengthen Families
Collaboration awards several grants, including Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. To view this press release, go to: http://www.nativephilanthropy.org/media_resources.html.

California Endowment
For organizational development and regranting assistance needed to expand programs that address disparities in health and well-being among American Indians in California: $150,000 to Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development.

NIGA and NCAI provide Hurricane Relief Funds
The National Indian Gaming Association, NIGA, and the National Congress of American Indians, NCAI, along with the support of the Sycuan Band of Kumayaay Indians of California, donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross on September 9, 2005, as part of hurricane relief efforts.

NIGA is conducting a nation-wide survey to get final tribal contribution numbers, and are urging member tribes and associate members to participate in this crucial survey. You can obtain a copy of the survey by calling the NIGA office at 202-546-7711.

Laguna Education Foundation: Two New Graduate Scholarships Awarded
The Pueblo of Laguna sets aside $10,000 each year in support of Laguna Graduate Students. The students are eligible for multiple years funding provided they meet all criteria established by the Graduate Scholarship Committee.

First Peoples Fund Announces Community Spirit Award Recipients
On December 3, 2005, the First Peoples Fund will honor its 2006 Community Spirit Awards recipients: David Moses Bridges (Oglala Lakota), Nellie Two Bulls Aleut), Lois Chichinoff Thadei (Tygh, Yakama), and Apolonia Susana Santos (Passamoquoddy/Wabanaki).

The prestigious annual fellowship award, established in 1999, recognizes four exceptional American Indian artists with a gift of $5,000. Recognized as culture bearers within their communitie, artists are nominated by members of their communities and those that exemplify the idea of community spirit are selected by an independant panel of American Indian reviewers.

Events Significant for Native peoples in Philanthropy

January 29-31, 2006
2006 Family Foundation Conference From Principle to Practice: Navigating Your Course Council on Foundations' Family Conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii. To register, or for more information, go to: the conference registration page. Please join NAP on January 29th, as we will participate in a session entitled "Philanthropic Motivation and Accountability".

February 21 & 22, 2006
Grantmakers for Education is hosting a Funder's Briefing on Education and Native Communities. This event for Grantmakers interested in gaining more knowledge and connection to Native people in education is being held in the Denver area.