NOVEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear IFIP Community,
Greetings from San Francisco!
We are right off the heels of the energizing IFIP Global Indigenous Funders Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At this gathering, we celebrated a special milestone by convening a daylong of the very first Indigenous-led funders gathering. The conference made a bold statement by Indigenous-led funds on the need for philanthropy to center equity and self-determination of First Peoples.
The conference theme “Bolstering Indigenous Philanthropy” recognized that funders need to reimagine wealth and abundance and pay attention to how Indigenous organizations are transforming the paradigm of resources that is grounded on the values of reciprocity, respect and building long-term relationships. “We need to re-center Indigenous ways of knowing and giving,” said Kris Archie, Executive Director of the Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.
In September, we also joined the parallel sessions of the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco that were led by Indigenous defenders and funders. We invite you to read our blogs on how Indigenous Peoples are leading renewable energy projects in their communities that respect their human rights and self-determination. It’s critical that climate funding is responsive to the brave resistance of Indigenous stewards of forests, lands and waterways. Donors, too, have obligations to mobilize resources to support capacity building, frontline organizing and funding Indigenous-led conservation efforts in their territories. IFIP welcomed the announcement of nine foundations who committed $459 million dollars to protect forests to mitigate climate change globally and recognize the territorial rights of Indigenous Peoples and rural communities. IFIP encourages these funders to support Indigenous-led organizations and networks from the lens of equity.
It’s time we walked the walk and took a stand to decolonize philanthropy. Philanthropy that is reflective and reciprocal is a powerful way forward to resource Indigenous Peoples, who are protecting our Mother Earth and their way of life against all odds.
With abundance and joy,
Lourdes Inga
Executive Director, IFIP
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