Grants in Social and Economic Development Strategies - FY2020
Grants in Social and Economic Development Strategies - FY2020
Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS)
Marianas Alliance of Non-governmental Organizations (MP) – $231,381
Project Description: Marianas Alliance of Non-governmental Organizations will enhance the local Native nonprofit organizations’ capacity to effectively operate projects that address barriers to prosperity for the Chamorro and Carolinian communities. Active nonprofits surveys identified capacity as their biggest challenge, and an analysis of survey responses revealed that 55% of all registered CNMI nonprofits are inactive. The project will establish a nonprofit incubator and focus on developing a customized nonprofit mentoring and support program that will provide comprehensive training on capacity areas such as establishing a nonprofit, board training, sustainability, strategic planning, managing a nonprofit, and financial management. In addition, the project will establish three to five year strategic plans for 25 total existing and developing Native nonprofit organizations serving Chamorro and Carolinian communities to improve their MANGO Nonprofit Sustainability Scale to mid-range or better. Through these efforts, Native nonprofit organizations will have a permanent expansion of services for the Chamorro and Carolinian community provided by more sustainable Native nonprofits with greatly improved capacity.
Mowa Band of Choctaw Indians (AL) - $250,342
Project Description: The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians’ Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project seeks to increase the usage of their tribal museum by transforming it into a vibrant space where cultural and historical resources can be accessed through community-driven, intergenerational programming and outreach. Due to the lack of necessary funding, the museum has been poorly utilized as a “hub” by the tribal community who wish to access their history and culture. Without the proper infrastructure, the museum reinforces misinformation about the tribe, impeding cultural knowledge transmission. To address the lack of infrastructure and utilization of the museum, this project will create a Cultural Ambassador Program to ensure cultural retention by youth with the guidance of Elders in an immersive experience. In addition, an outreach plan will be launched to attract the roughly 7,800 tribal members living on the reservation as well as school groups, and tourists in order to generate a tourism enterprise. Through renovating the tribal museum and engaging in capacity-building and marketing, the tribe hopes to increase the cultural and historical knowledge about the tribe for generations to come.
Aaniiih Nakoda College (MT) - $400,000
Project Description: The Aaniiih Nakoda College will increase the number and percentage of American Indian registered nurses (RNs) employed at healthcare facilities on and around the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Currently, the remote area around Fort Belknap lacks healthcare workers to serve the community who faces major health disparities. Throughout the course of this project, 24 participants will become licensed registered nurses (RNs) and gain employment in and around the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Ultimately, the project aims to increase the availability and quality of healthcare services and therefore improve the quality of life for its residents.
Hana Health (HI) - $398,153
Project Description: Hana Health will reduce the number of Hana District Native Hawaiians suffering from diabetes and those at risk of developing diabetes through increased access to traditional foods. Due to the conditions of this remote area, such as high rates of unemployment, poverty, and the high cost of living, Hana District’s mortality rate is the 3rd highest, exceeding all other districts in the state. Nearly half of Hawaiʻi residents with diabetes are food insecure and 42% of those with heart disease or a history of stroke were food insecure. Hana Health intends to develop its Hana Fresh farm operation to include the cultivation of traditional food crops—Taro, sweet potato, ulu and others –for distribution to diabetic patients. Hana Health will monitor their weights, blood glucose, and blood pressure for managing their overall health. This project will teach participants who live in the community, how to eat healthy meals, assist them with meal preparation, provide them raw and partially prepared foods, and distribute ‘healthy’ food bags. 81 Native Hawaiian diabetic patients will incorporate three traditional foods into their daily diet and have weights in the normal range as a result of successful project implementation. Through this project, Hana Health hopes to create a restorative community where wellness thrives and people live long, healthy, purposeful lives.
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (ID) - $399,884
Project Description: The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe’s Government Capacity-Building Project aims to strengthen the tribal administrative infrastructure in order to develop the necessary laws, policies, and procedures that promote the interests of community members. Currently the tribal administration lacks effective communication and a gap in knowledge exists in government policies, which results in high staff turnover rates and poor performance. To build a more effective government administration, the project will focus on revising existing HR training manuals, procedure and communication policy as well as improving the employee experience of 650 current government employees. Ultimately, the tribe will create a functioning government that operates in a coordinated, efficient, and effective fashion that responds to the needs of the community.
First Peoples Fund (SD) - $399,034
Project Description: Project Description: The First Peoples Fund will increase the number of Native artists, culture bearers/elders, and youth on Pine Ridge who are able to achieve financial security. Currently, artists and culture bearers comprise 30% of the Pine Ridge Reservation population and 40% of households rely on arts-based income, despite the majority of artists and culture bearers on Pine Ridge reporting financial insecurity. Through the implementation of financial security classes for culture bearers and artists as well as the youth arts and professional development program, artists will gain critical financial knowledge and skill necessary to generate business within the community. The project will increase the financial security of 600 Native artists and culture bearers by 20% and increase youth’s (ages of 13 to 19) financial skills by 50%. As a result of this project, Lakota artists will be able to create meaningful economic pathways that reignite cultural identity within the community.
NATIVE Community Development, Inc. (ND) - $297,000
Project Description: NATIVE Community Development, Inc. will create a culturally based wrap-around services center for urban Native American families, fostering an increased sense of belonging. Presently, Bismarck, ND does not have a physical space where the Native American population can access their culture or feel supported by culturally based services. This project will facilitate appropriate community activities such as drum groups and regalia making, the training of staff, and provide referrals to local support services in order to increase cultural connection within the local Native community. Ultimately, NATIVE Community Development, Inc. aims to create inclusive Native communities and improve the quality of life for Native Americans in urban areas in North Dakota.
Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation (HI) - $342,710
Project Description: Wai’anae Community Re-Development Corporation (WCRC) will leverage the catalytic expansion of MAʻO Organic Farms, a native Hawaiian, community-governed social enterprise, to cultivate and mentor a cadre of entrepreneurial youth, empowering them to succeed in the workforce and lift up the lāhui (community) by supporting their attainment of college degrees. Currently, the Waiʻanae moku (region) struggles with the impacts of intergenerational poverty, including preventable diseases, homelessness, and hunger. Further, these socio-economic disparities disproportionately impact native Hawaiians, who make up 58% of the community, and are entrenched in the relationship between low educational attainment and low income. Nearly 88% of the community lacks a Bachelor’s degree, leaving well-paying jobs out of reach. The Māʻona project will expand the participation of 18 youth ages 17-24 in the MAʻO internship and farm apprenticeship ʻauwai (college to workforce pathways). The on-farm knowledge and skills training mentorship of both ʻauwai participants and interns’ will be fortified and formalized, facilitating employers’ valuation of their experience. As community leaders, MAʻO graduates are empowered to move their families and community from the harsh truths of generational poverty toward māʻona, toward generational abundance and prosperity. Ultimately, Waiʻanae will be home to a thriving lāhui where pono economic development is rooted in sustainable ʻāina-based work, education is embraced as a community practice, and college-educated youth are engaged in sustaining careers.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. (AK) - $400,000
Project Description: Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. will provide career support to and advance employment opportunities for Alaska Native/American Indian job-seekers in Anchorage, Alaska. While opportunities for employment and advancement exist in the community, an estimated 288 Alaska Native/American Indian job seekers are under employed. CITC proposes utilization of Alaska’s People Connect to develop three apprenticeship tracks designed to train Alaska Native and American Indian residents of Anchorage to assist AN/AI residents in the pursuit of career development plans. AKPC will host virtual job fairs attended by at least 90 employers and 625 Alaska Native and American Indian job-seekers. This project will increase job acquisition and will drive their community towards “Edzege” (thrivability) for their people resulting in long-lasting success.
Skokomish Indian Tribe (WA) - $135,500
Project Description: The Skokomish Tribe will create and implement a strategic plan to address the economic, health, social and linguistic challenges facing the Skokomish community. The Tribe has never had a functioning strategic plan to guide the direction of tribal affairs and policy. At present, 85% of tribal members rely on a heavily regulated and declining fishing industry to make a living; educational opportunities are limited; and the Tribe's heritage language is endangered. As part of the strategic planning process, all members of the community will come together to establish a way forward that tackles these issues. In order to develop the strategic plan, Skokomish will create a work group comprised of tribal council representatives, department heads and adult and youth community members.
Sealaska Heritage Institute (AK) - $282,098
Project Description: Sealaska Heritage Institute will increase the early literacy and social learning skills among Alaska Native children within the communities of Haines, Klukwan, Kake, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla through the Raven Reads’ Program. Raven Reads is a culturally sustaining program that promotes early literacy, language development, and school readiness of Alaska Native children. Recent evaluation of the Raven Reads program shows that 75% of parents of children enrolled in the program are reading more to their children. Current data indicates that, on average, only 37% of the Alaska Native third grade students in the five identified communities are proficient in English Language Arts (ELA) while 27% are far below proficiency. Furthermore, over half of the current printed curriculums are incomprehensible to students who read below grade level. This project will increase kindergarten readiness with the assistance of trained Community Liaisons by hosting 108 family literacy events where parents will be reading to their children, and engaging in culturally sustaining early literacy activities. Sealaska Heritage Institute will provide 27 of its award-winning Raven Reads books to 240 Alaska Native children enrolled in the program. As a result of successful implementation, this project will instill core skills that will provide long-term benefits to Alaskan Native youth.
Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute (AK)- $372,353.00
Project Description: The Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute will establish year-round access to organic, locally-grown lettuces and greens in six of the Kodiak Archipelago’s tribal communities. Unlike other communities in the region who are closer to food sources, the Kodiak Archipelago imports at least 95% of its food resulting in at a significantly higher cost. The Alutiiq people of the Kodiak Archipelago will increase year‐round hydroponic production of fresh lettuces and greens to: Afognak, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Port Lions, and Tangirnaq. This project will also conduct Hydroponic Grower’s Training to five or more designated grower trainees and phasing in the containerized growing system to build production. There will be priority produce access for approximately 500 Elder’s and 700 tribal households within these communities. Ultimately, this project will establish a network of Alaska Native owned farms that operate year‐round to address its region’s need for fresh, locally‐grown food.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe (SD) - $399,979
Project Description: The Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s project will help Sicangu Lakota children and educators enrolled in the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Child Care Program to practice the Wolakota way of life, in peace, harmony, and balance. Currently, the Sicangu Lakota Oyate’s future is threatened by a decline in the passing on of Lakota life ways between the past and current generations. Through the completion of a cultural immersion guidebook developed by at least seven community elders and project staff, along with the training of 18 child care teachers in the cultural immersion process, the program will have the curriculum and capacity necessary to properly implement the Wolakota way of life to children. The project will lead to 280 children within the Child Care Program being immersed into learning the Wolakota ways of life each year. Ultimately, this project will strengthen the Sicangu Lakota Oyate through its focus on the preservation and revitalization of the Lakota language, culture, and values.
Tubatulabals of Kern Valley (CA) - $329,030
Project Description: The Tubatulabals of Kern Valley will enhance their tribe’s sovereignty and self-determination in order to serve the Tübatulabal community, respond to community needs and desires, and safeguard tribal resources. Without federal recognition, the Tübatulabals of Kern Valley in rural California have access only to the limited services available on trust allotments or allotments administered by other federally recognized tribes, leaving the Tribe’s needs largely unmet. The project will gather evidence that addresses the seven mandatory criteria for federal acknowledgement. In order to prepare an application for federal acknowledgment, the project directly targets the efforts of the staff which include the Tribal Council, Elders Committee, Petition Office Staff, and Project Volunteers. Ultimately, the project serves the entire Tubatulabal community, as federal acknowledgement will help to improve the tribe’s ability to protect their natural resources, elevate socio-economic opportunities, and revitalize cultural preservation for its tribal community.
Kula no na Po'e Hawai'I (HI) - $399,994
Project Description: Kula no na Po’e Hawai’i will implement programs and services that support achieving health equity and safely aging in place for Hawaiin kupuna (elders). Currently, Hawaiian native elders experience higher rates of health disparities like diabetes and heart disease than other elder populations. To better serve elders, Kula no na Po’e plans to improve comprehensive, coordinated care for elders living in Papakōlea through the training and usage of healthcare apps, culturally responsive training for caregivers, and ensuring home safety so elders can age in place safely. By the project end date, 100 elders will have increased their technology capabilities, 250 community members will have increased knowledge on how to care for elders, and 75 homes will be successfully assessed for elder safety. The Kupuna Care Network project will help the aim of Kula no na Po’e to preserve the legacy of kapuna by delivering services to maximize quality, culturally relevant care for the community’s kapuna.
Cherokee Nation (OK) - $400,000
Project Description: The Teacher Bridge Program (TBP), housed under the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, will create an advanced language curriculum to foster high-level language proficiency and cultural competency among intermediate language teachers. Currently, there is no curriculum that develops metalanguage nor high-level language usage among Cherokee language teachers. In addition, almost all older generations of advanced Cherokee language speakers in language immersion environments are nearing retirement, causing an urgent need for more proficient speakers to replace them. This project will develop the Cherokee Language Immersion Medium Teacher Training and Development Curriculum for advanced language level teaching in the Cherokee language. The TBP in tandem with fluent Cherokee speakers will support, train, and certify a cohort of 15 advanced language teachers. The project will help to ensure the continuing vitality of the Cherokee language for future generations of learners.
National Indian Education Association (NICWA) (DC) - $285,860
Project Description: The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) will highlight the importance of Native veterans in the U.S. Military within Montana’s school systems. While 12% of Montana’s student population identifies as Native American, there is no statewide curriculum for children K-12 to learn about the honorable Native American protectors in military service. NIEA plans to develop 120 new lesson plans focused on Montana Native Veterans and will train the teachers on how to use primary source narratives to teach their students. NIEA ultimately aims to educate and inform students about the dedication, contributions, and sacrifices made by Native Americans in military service for the United States.
Na Kalai Waa (HI) - $295,416
Project Description: Na Kalai Waa’s Mauloa Restoration Project will bring together the remaining six Masters of traditional Hawaiian canoe carving and construction (Kālai Waʻa) to pass on their knowledge and skills for the traditional sailing canoe, Mauloa. The Kālai Waʻa built Mauloa in 1992-93 being the first traditionally built canoe in over 200 years from a koa log felled with traditional adzes, hewn with adzes, and fabricated with locally collected natural resources. Mauloa now needs all parts replaced, including cordage and a newly assembled sail; however, replacing these parts has proven difficult given that the practice of traditional canoe carving is rapidly declining. Under the tutelage of Masters, the new Apprentices will learn the practice, demonstrate their learning, and contribute to community projects on their home Island. This project will serve at least 12 new Native Hawaiian Apprentices from six (6) communities across three (3) of the Hawaiian Islands. They will be trained in traditional canoe building while 40 community members will be trained in canoe lashing and weaving. Lastly, the project will train 24 community members in the basics of canoe building from the newly trained canoe masters. Ultimately, this restoration provides the platform to preserve key cultural touchstones and re-build the connections communities need in hopes of re-establishing the balance between Human (kanaka), Spirit (akua), and Land/Sea (ʻāina).
Mana Maoli (HI) - $399,963
Project Description: Mani Maoli will develop and implement a cultural based digital storytelling program for Native Hawaiian youth to give them the skills and knowledge to perpetuate the cultural traditions of their ancestors and succeed in the creative industries economy of Hawai’ii. Currently, Native Hawaiians are underrepresented in the creative industries (CI) field only representing 1% despite the vast amount of Native Hawaiian contributions to CI and popular culture. This project will address this underrepresentation by training 744 Native Hawaiian charter school youth ages 5-18 in Mana Leo (ML) Skills across three islands with the assistance of kupuna (elders), mentors, and CI artists to preserve and perpetuate the wisdom. Youth will produce 75 high-quality, creative products in order to garner crucial conceptual understanding of creative industries and hone in on economic self-sufficiency. As a result of this project, they will adapt cultural foundations to breathe new life into ‘ike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge) as leaders in the media during the changing times.
Kulaniakea (HI) - $400,000
Project Description: Kũlaniãkea will develop and implement a cohesive, culturally age-appropriate educational program for all ages in order to support the Native Hawaiian language and culture in Ko`olaupoko. Due to the onslaught of the forced 90 year ban on Native Hawaiian language and culture, Native Hawaiians experience a rapid decline in their language use and cultural knowledge. This is compounded by the precipitous socio-economic disparities, the shortage of curriculum and instruction materials, and access to reliable internet. This project will increase the community capacity of over 36,000 preschool children, teachers, parents, and partners by producing replicable educational materials in the community. Kulaniakea will create a total of 28 educational boxes during the course of the project, each containing two educational materials from matching cards to games as well as a leaflet containing necessary Native Hawaiian lessons, vocabulary, and activities. With these boxes, the project will provide consistent and unified resources across diverse educational settings Hawaii.
Farm To Table-Guam Corp (GU) $399,894
Project Description: The Farm to Table Guam-Corp's Feed our Villages, Feed our Future program will provide specialized training and mentorship to both new and experienced farmers who wish to diversify their production towards leafy greens. Currently, Guam imports 90% of its foods and the unemployment rate of Guam is 3-5% higher on average than the unemployment rate of the continental United States. The leafy green class of crops was selected for its potential to supply restaurants and institutions year ‘round, and for its nutritional value and staple role in the household diet. The rate of speed to harvest is quick, thereby providing ample, scalable training opportunities in a shorter timeframe than a longer harvesting crop. This project will serve Native Chamorro farmers and the people of Guam by offering specialized trainings in new growing techniques. It will also provide 60 career pathways in the agricultural sector for farmers participating in the farm training program. As a result, the project will ensure the knowledge and resources are accessible to Chamarro farmers to build a sustainable farm business, supporting the livelihoods of their families.
Warm Springs Community Action Team (OR)- $354,558
Project Description: The Warm Springs Community Action Team, a community-based economic development non-profit, will create a business incubator and provide job training for tribal citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Currently, many families in the community experience high degrees of poverty and unemployment. In recent years, local business shutdowns caused significant job loss among the Warm Springs community. Local businesses provide approximately 150 out of the 1,000 jobs needed to support the local economy. This project will physically relocate an old commissary complex to downtown Warm Springs in order to serve as a business incubator, provide economic development and opportunities to approximately 25 local businesses, and develop business skills, employability, and economic independence to 50 households. The project ultimately aims to develop a strong private sector with locally-owned, sustainable businesses for the Warm Springs community.
Chickahominy Indian Tribe (VA) $312,517
Project Description: The Chickahominy Indian Tribe will increase the Tribe’s administrative structure and capacity in order to successfully develop and implement programs that address community needs. Presently, the tribal council and administration lack the specialized knowledge and skills to run federal programs and comply with federal regulations. This is due to the arduous start-up process for newly recognized tribes as well as the lack of adequate resources required for mastery of administrative expertise. This project will equip staff with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to better address the needs of the Tribe’s 908 enrolled tribal members and approximately 150 eligible youth members. Tribal Council, Tribal Staff, and Volunteer Tribal Members will complete Council-approved Mission Statements, Policies, Procedures, Strategic Plans, and Program Designs in each of the Tribe’s 6 Program Areas in order to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to serve the needs of their close-knit tribal community.
Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma (OK)- $186,565.00
Project Description: The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma will build and sustain emergency preparedness and emergency management capabilities across the Ponca tribal community to prevent and mitigate environmental threats and hazards. The Ponca Tribe, located in rural north central Oklahoma, is known to have a large number of presidentially declared disasters including floods, high winds, tornados and many others; however, no Emergency Management Department exists nor an updated Tribal Emergency Operations Plan. The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted the need for such plans. During this project, the Ponca Tribe will establish an Emergency Management Department by developing 5 new organizational components: procedures, plans, resources, trained personnel, and compliance. They will also offer 20 trainings to certify 60 White Eagle community members in Community Preparedness. As a result, this project will help the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma increase their capacity to respond to natural and man-made disasters.