“The first step for philanthropists is to educate themselves and begin the process of decolonizing. There’s so much imposition of narratives and assumptions upon all of us–structures and systems that we may not even know to question, to know our own contributions and complicity and understand the opportunity to begin the transformation. Philanthropy needs to respect who Indigenous Peoples are, our histories, values and our cosmology and really understand how Indigenous Peoples define partnerships.” Alvin Warren, Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Santa Clara Pueblo)
“So much of the financial wealth of philanthropic dollars actually comes from Indigenous lands, resources, and labor that was extracted in very harmful ways. Reimagining wealth is also a form of restitution and healing that is needed in our world today. It’s critical for mainstream philanthropic community to recognize the social capital of our community.” Melissa Nelson, President of the Cultural Conservancy (Chippewa of the Turtle Mountain Tribe in North Dakota)
“I came to IFIP’s conference with a beginner’s mind. Indigenous communities understand their own aspirations and know what’s in their best interests. My takeaway from this gathering is that supporting Indigenous People’s self-determination is key for philanthropy and that establishing relationships of respect and mutual support is important. Indigenous-led funders made a powerful stand in this conference and deserve general unrestricted support in the service of work on the ground that will advance their communities’ own sense of their destinies.” Steve Tobin, President of Flora Family Foundation
“Indigenous-led funds have been created over 25 years. They are part of the Indigenous Peoples’ movement for self-determination, as well as the environmental and women’s movement. We are doing so much at the local level that impacts the regional and global level. We need to ask for more money to build relationships and trust.” Myrna Cunningham, Chair of the Pawanka Fund (Miskita, Nicaragua)
On the IFIP Conference: “The IFIP conference outlined the role that Indigenous-led funds should play to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination and promote their wellbeing in philanthropy. It served as the perfect venue to build new relationships, share and learn. I believe the participatory method used across the conference shaped a positive outcome, which was an understanding that together Indigenous funds can do greater good for their communities by joining hands, sharing lessons learned and building long-term sustainable programs. The Pawanka Fund participated as one of the hosts of the very first Indigenous-led funds gathering. Both experiences gave our fund an opportunity to share knowledge and approaches and highlight how indigenous-led funds respond to the priorities of their communities. The Pawanka Fund considers IFIP to be a key platform to advocate and influence a new paradigm of philanthropy that sees the value of intercultural partnerships by strengthening relationships with donors and partners.” Myrna Cunningham, Chair of the Pawanka Fund (Miskita, Nicaragua)
“It is critical that philanthropy recognizes Indigenous Peoples as innovators, scientists, educators, and thought leaders who are driving local solutions to build resiliency from the ground up. Bolstering Indigenous philanthropy requires dismantling power dynamics and listening deeply to the life plans and long-term vision of Indigenous communities.” Lourdes Inga, Executive Director of IFIP
“As Indigenous-led funds, we are transforming the paradigm of resources. It’s not just about money. Our framework is about mutual investments and respecting intercultural models of giving.” Teresa Zapeta, Executive Director of International Indigenous Women’s Forum (Maya)
“Youth are on the forefront of environmental activism. We are resilient, strong and determined to fight for our future and build this future for ourselves. Philanthropy plays a key role in opening a conversation between non-indigenous and Indigenous Peoples and how we can indigenize philanthropy. Philanthropy has also been a part of Indigenous culture for thousands of years. We want to be a part of this conversation as young people to voice what we want for ourselves.” Jacilyn Charger, Youth Water Protector from Cheyenne River Reservation
“We want to send a strong message to funders that women-led organizations are really like mothers. When you support a mother with a child, it means that the child is not going to sleep hungry. When you support a women-led organization, you support a whole community. Women are key to every community but our issues have been left behind. Funders need to believe in the aspirations of indigenous women, because we are also human rights defenders who are the first ones to be threatened in many situations.” Jane Meriwas, Director of Samburu Women Trust, Kenya