Dear IFIP Friends and Members,

IFIP has been working hard this summer planning several sessions for this fall's series of major grantmakers conferences, such as the Environmental Grantmakers Association, National Network of Grantmakers and Grantmakers in the Arts. IFIP also has plans on attending the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE) in New Zealand in late-November 2005. All of these events are going to be as exciting and informative as previous sessions. We look forward to providing you with a more-complete update as developments occur and a full reporting at their conclusion.

It is also IFIP's pleasure to announce that the conference report for "Linking Circles IV: Transforming the Landscape of International Grantmaking for Indigenous Peoples" will soon be available. Please be sure to ask for a complimentary copy by sending an email message to, ifip@internationalfunders.org. Until then, you can still view information about IFIP's last annual conference as well as photos by, clicking here.

IFIP is starting the planning process for Linking Circles V, to be held in NYC in May 2006. If you are interested in becoming a planning committee member and you are an Esteemed member (click here for membership form), ask for a planning committee form to be considered, send an email to ifip@internationalfunders.org.

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Mandatory and Voluntary changes to the ways international funders carry out due diligence, made following 9/11, have confused and frightened grantmakers and Indigenous communities alike. There is growing concern that these new rules not only stifle financial support to Indigenous communities but also threaten basic civil liberties. Funders will explore recommendations and guidelines to assist funders in their support for Indigenous development and conservation efforts. See http://www.ega.org/index.php for registration info.

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Join us for a funders reception and an opportunity to purchase and learn about traditional native art. The event will begin with a traditional welcome song, brief introductions of the artists, and co-sponsors.Traditional artwork will be on display from more than six distinct regions,locally, nationally and internationally. Indigenous artists will come from Australia, Bolivia, Akwesasne Reservation- New York, Pine Ridge Reservation-South Dakota and the Northwest region. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome!

Co-Sponsored by: The Solidago Foundation, The Christensen Fund, ArtCorps program of New England Biolabs Foundation, Potlatch Fund, Tierra Madre Fund, NativeAmericans in Philanthropy and International Funders for Indigenous Peoples.

This workshop will give participants a rare window into how Indigenous artists from Australia and Bolivia create their work and will allow a hands - on approach. Indigenous art is a creative expression of the traditions and beliefs of its people as well as being a record of the past present and future. By supporting local creativity and artistic expression, grantmakers can respect the wisdom of indigenous communities on the vital link between art, spirituality and the environment, and better support community struggles to adapt and keep alive biological and cultural creation in their territories. Art is also powerful as a communication tool and we will demonstrate how indigenous artists utilize their work to transmit environmental and social messages . Artists: Banduk Marika, regarded as one of Australia 's leading visual artists best known for her linocuts and screenprints and a grantee of The Christensen Fund. Sandra de Berduccy creates artwork that blends painting and weaving techniques. She is a former grantee of ArtCorps, a program of New England Biolabs Foundation.

Organizers include The Christensen Fund, ArtCorps, a program of New England Biolabs Foundation and International Funders for Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous peoples everywhere are confronting economic and political processes which deny their diversity, their sovereignty, and their control over their lands and the natural resources upon those lands. In this age of economic globalization, their challenges are multiplied. One strategy which has been gaining traction in the past few years is building relationships across borders, whether in indigenous-exclusive or mixed-sector networks. Together these networks are gaining the global strength to fight back against global forces, and are scoring impressive victories. The workshop will present a U.S. and a global South presenter, both indigenous peoples organizing across border around globalization.

Organizers include: The Solidago Foundation, Center for Economic Justice and International Funders for Indigenous Peoples.

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This panel will explore the central role culture can have in effective environmental grantmaking through the experiences of two indigenous artists from Australia and Bolivia. By supporting local creativity and artistic expression, grantmakers can respect the wisdom of indigenous communities on the vital link between art, spirituality and the environment, and better support community struggles to adapt and keep alive biological and cultural creation in their territories. Art can also serve as an interactive tool to build local capacity and overcome linguistic and other obstacles to communication and community building.

Organizers include The Christensen Fund, ArtCorps, a program of New England Biolabs Foundation and International Funders for Indigenous Peoples. For registration info: http://www.giarts.org.

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This world renowned gathering of indigenous educators, researchers and students will be an opportunity for honouring all previous hui (gatherings.) It also creates an occasion for bringing interesting and innovative ideas that evoke inspiration and pride as indigenous peoples.

Kellogg's Foundation is a major sponsor of this event. For registration info: http://www.wipce2005.com.

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The report was co-edited by International Forum on Globalization Founder Jerry Mander and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, newly elected Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Participating authors include Winona LaDuke, John Mohawk and many others. Specific themes include:

* The growing assault on indigenous lands, where the planet's increasingly scarce natural resources are located;

* The specific rules of global bureaucracies like the WTO, IMF, World Bank and others that accelerate the loss of native sovereignty and native political and cultural rights;

* The devastating impact of extractive industries, with case studies on the problems and the resistance to today's model of development;

* An overview of globalization's other impacts: global marketing of cultural objects; loss of languages; impacts of tourism; impacts of giant conservation NGOs driving native peoples off their lands; the toll from climate change, et. al.;

* The report also details some extremely positive trends, for example in South America where indigenous people are now on the rise, especially in Bolivia and Ecuador ; the new role played by American Indians in a safer energy future; new initiatives for impacting WTO rules; and major progress within the U.N.;

* And the report includes a folded copy of our previously published large map, Globalization: Effects on Indigenous Peoples, graphically showing some 200 instances of negative impacts caused by the current development model.

Victor Menotti from the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) discusses the newly released Special Report he helped author titled: "Paradigm Wars: Indigenous Peoples' Resistance to Economic Globalization." No community is more directly impacted by economic globalization than the world's 350 million indigenous peoples, yet their voices have been largely excluded from the globalization debate. An introduction to The Pachamama Alliance will begin the evening at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner (no host) and the evening's presentation. This month's venue is Pena Pachamama Restaurant, located at 1630 Powell St . in North Beach, San Francisco. To RSVP, call 415-561-4522 or email info@pachamama.org.

ADHOC session: BOOK LAUNCH; "Paradigm Wars--Indigenous Peoples' Resistance to Economic Globalization" with Co-editor Jerry Mander, founder of International Forum on Globalization and program director of the Foundation for Deep Ecology, joined by Victoria Tauli -Corpuz, director of Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education), in the Philippines. First 25 books will be complimentary.

You are invited to join co-editor Jerry Mander, founder of the International Forum on Globalization, for the launching of IFG's comprehensive new 240 page report on the impact of globalization on the Indigenouspeoples of the world, and the rising, increasingly successful global resistance.

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At present, the encroachment of global commerce and "development" projects into the forests - such as plantations, oil exploitation, logging, mining, shrimp farming, dams and others - have not only destroyed nature but also distorted ancestral relationships of forest peoples between them and with the forest. Such forest change or loss has not been gender neutral and has had a double and differentiated impact on women, depriving them of their traditional rights to and link with the forests while reinforcing a patriarchal society model.

This book aims to generate awareness on the issue, as a way of contributing positively to the struggles women carry out to defend the forest and to highlight their positive role in forest conservation.

Non Governmental Organizations and Indigenous Peoples Organizations can ask for a free copy of the book. To do so, please contact WRM International Secretariat at: bookswrm@wrm.org.uy and send your postal address.

For other organizations or institutions its cost is US $10 (shipment included). Send a check payable to: "Fundacion Movimiento Mundial por los Bosques Tropicales" to the following address: Maldonado 1858, CP 11200, Montevideo - URUGUAY (South America) Email: teresap@wrm.org.uy website: http://www.wrm.org.uy.

Renew or become an Esteemed Member for added benefits. Download our membership form,
click here.

First Nations Development Institute proudly announces its 25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Awards Program to benefit Native communities. The celebration, "25 Years of Indian Giving" will take place on Saturday, October 22, 2005 at the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in Washington D.C. at 7.p.m.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the museum. For more information or to sponsor this event, please call 540-371-5615 ext. 19 or check out the website: firstnations.org

The Soros Justice Fellowships embody the commitment of the Open Society Institute U.S. Justice Fund to national criminal justice reform. In 2006, the Fellowship Program will support individuals through two distinct programs: the Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowships and the Soros Justice Media Fellowships. The Fellowships support lawyers, advocates, grassroots organizers, activist academics, journalists and filmmakers,
to implement innovative projects that address one or more of U.S. Justice fund criminal justice priorities. Stipends range between $45,000 - $71,250. Duration is 12-18 months, depending on the Fellowship. Deadline: October 14, 2005
Program & Application information click here.

IPRN is a resource on traditional ecological knowledge. For more info: http://www.ser.org/iprn

There will be a vigil on the National Mall starting August 13th every day in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and in other places in DC, and around the country. Starting on Tuesday, September 20, the presence will increase. Come to DC to educate, and to take action against the proposed drilling. For further information visit the website.