October 2023 - Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is dedicated to supporting the work of Indigenous-led organizations so they can thrive as leaders and culture-bearers. To this end, we are excited and honored to announce the 2023 Indigenous Healing & Leadership Fellows!

This year’s fellows exemplify the focus of the fellowship: their work is grounded culturally, in service of community wellness spaces, and rooted in traditional health and healing. The fellowship provides resources to create a collective space for deep connection and reflection of cultural identity and support to engage, enhance, and explore skills and empower leadership.

During the year-long fellowship, recipients expand their education through traditional knowledge and capacity building activities, and engage more extensively in their culture. This work also brings the fellows together to continue engaging in different aspects of their shared identities which include language, cultural practices, intergenerational learning, stewardship practices, and community-based healing.

Please join us in celebrating the 19 Indigenous Healing & Leadership Fellows and the Native communities they serve and represent. We are fortunate to support these wonderful leaders in their work.

Abra Nungasuk Patkotak, Northwest Coast Indians, Inupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Athabascans

Mauna Kea Education and Awareness (Bonnie Pualani Case), Native Hawaiian and all other Indigenous Nations and Communities in and beyond Hawaii.

Centro Cultural Techantit (Luis Antonio De Paz Vásquez), Sonsonate (Nahuizalco, Santo Domingo de Guzman, Acajutla, Izalco, Santa Catarina Masahuat), La Paz ( Santiago Nonualco, San Juan Nonualco) La Libertad (La Libertad, Quezaltepeque), Morazan (Cacaopera, Guatajiagua), La Union (Yucuayquin), San Salvador (San Antonio Abad, Mejicanos, Aguilares, Tonacatepeque, San Jacinto, Antiguo Cuscatlan), Chalatenango (Teosinte).

Radley Davis, Pit River Peoples

Celeste Tootoosis, Kawakatoose First Nation, Cote First Nation, Whitebear First Nation, Pheasants Rump First Nation

Whirlwind Bull Yellow Bear, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations

Geo Soctomah Neptune, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township and the greater community of the Wabanaki Confederacy in Maine and New Brunswick

Joseph “Brophy” Toledo, Pueblo of Jemez, all other Pueblo communities

Bertha Peters, Puelekuekla'(Yurok) and neighboring local tribal nations

Daliyah Killsback, Northern Cheyenne Nation

Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines Jr., Nipmuc, Pocumtuc and sister tribes

Secwepemc Language Society (Janice Billy) Secwepemc Nation

Pua O Eleili Kelsi Pinto, ʻŌiwi

Alma McCormick, Crow Reservation

Naomi Michalsen, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian and Aleut nations in Juneau, Saxman and Ketchikan, Alaska.

Aqpik Charlene Apok, Alaska Native Peoples

Ixquik Poz Salanic, Maya K’iche, Maya Mam, Maya Tz’utujil

Hampi Warmi Initiative (Cynthia Ximena Ingar Huaman) Quechua Nation (Andean Communities of Pisac district and San Salvador district within Calca Province, Cusco Region)

Belinda F. Joe, Crow Creek Dakota Hunkpati tribal communities-districts: Big Bend, Crow Creek and Fort Thompson, SD.

We look forward to seeing the ideas of our fellows come to life and sharing their achievements. You can follow their journey and learn more about each of them by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter.

We are pleased to continue to stand by and support Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination and the sovereignty of Native Nations. Our ongoing and latest investment in the SAGE Development Authority’s Anpetu Wi Wind Project—the first 100% Native-led renewable energy commercial project on Turtle Island—supports just transition by funding resilient infrastructure and economic development, while at the same time honoring Native land stewardship and community wealth building.

Seventh Generation Fund and SAGE have a strong history of collaboration. Seventh Generation Fund has provided capacity building grants, recoverable grants, administrative support, and fiscal sponsorship to SAGE since 2018. Our 46-year-long history in Indian Country provides us with the perspective to see the critical importance of Native values-driven energy development that prioritizes tribal leadership, cultural connections to the land, and is supported by the highest levels of technical advising in the renewables sector.

Investments like these help to ensure that Indian Country is at the the tip of the spear for economic development for the Standing Rock People and ensures that the project’s ownership and governance remain with SAGE’s 100% Native-led board and further strengthens Indigenous self-determination. As we continue to see an influx of investment in climate technology and transitions to renewable energy, it is critical for Indigenous Peoples to lead their own large-scale projects, rather than just be leased to land owners while the profits of energy projects leave their reservations and communities.

The Anpetu Wi Wind Project exemplifies a model that other Tribal Nations can use to create environmental impact, jobs, and also return long-term wealth building opportunities to their communities, as this project does for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. It is also a model that we encourage other funders to adopt to ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for us all.

Learn more about the Anpetu Wi Wind Farm here. If you are interested in supporting the Anpetu Wi Wind Farm, you can donate here.

Announcing our 2023 Indigenous Healing & Leadership Fellows

SGF Invests in SAGE’s Anpetu Wi Wind Project

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