Black Mesa Trust
Kykotsmovi, Arizona

Black Mesa Trust is an independent, Indigenous, non-profit environmental organization that has recently succeeded in forcing Peabody Energy, the world’s largest coal company, to end its 40-year drawdown of the Navajo Aquifer and the use of its waters for Peabody’s Black Mesa Mine slurry operation. The Aquifer is the sole source of potable water on Black Mesa and is essential to the physical survival and the religious and cultural lives of Hopi and their Black Mesa Dine neighbors. In conjunction with the H2OPI Run of Respect for Water and All Life Coordinating Committee, Black Mesa Trust is undertaking a 2,000 mile spirit run to deliver critical water messages – teachings of their science and culture – from Hopi to Mexico City where world leaders will gather in March 2006 for the 4th World Water Forum. They will affirm that water is life, that it is a gift from the Creator and a basic right of all people. Funds will be used for project support to help cover the costs of H2OPI Mexico City Run Project.

Black Mesa Water Coalition
Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation, Arizona/New Mexico

The Mohave Generating Station was shut down at the end of 2005. While the Navajo and Hopi Tribes as well as California ratepayers support cleaner air over the Grand Canyon after the polluting 1,500 MW power plant closes, both tribal economies and California ratepayers will need additional help to transition away from the coal economy. The Just Transition Petition was created and submitted to the California Public Utility Commission by a strong and diverse coalition of tribal members, California ratepayers, and environmental and tribal NGOs. The Just Transition Petition redirects to both Navajo and Hopi tribes over $20 million of annual funds that Mohave operators will receive in sulfur dioxide allowances. The goals of the Just Transition plan seeks to mitigate the economic impact caused by the closure of the Mohave Generating Station; to provide annual funding to Navajo and Hopi communities so that they can become equity owners in generating and transmitting new sources of cleaner energy; and to assist in reducing unemployment and stimulating a just transition to sustainable economic development on tribal lands. Funds will be used for general support to organize around the issues of a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future.

Indigenous Environmental Network
Bemidji, Minnesota

Alaska Native communities impacted by oil and gas operations are struggling to survive as distinct communities, which require a healthy environment to gather medicines, raise families, fish, hunt, and to carry on essential spiritual and survival activities relating to food, shelter, education, health, and ceremony. REDOIL works primarily with community leaders and activists, families, local groups, organizations, and tribal programs in Alaska who are struggling to protect the health of their homelands and communities. Funds will be used for project support to provide travel support for REDOIL Network members to have a face-to face meeting during the Alaska Forum on the Environment in Anchorage, AK.

Indigenous Environmental Network
Bemidji, Minnesota

As part of their Water is Life campaign, IEN is planning for a delegation of eight indigenous peoples to attend the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City, Mexico, March 14-19, 2006. There, they will meet up with affiliates and take part in the Water Forum, an indigenous focused parallel event, and press event. The World Water Forum is an initiative of the World Water Council with the aim of raising awareness on water issues all over the world. IEN will use funds for project support to send a delegation from Three Fires Society to the 4th World Water Forum.

Indigenous Environmental Network
Bemidji, Minnesota

Funds will be used to send a delegation of 12 indigenous peoples (from U.S. and Canada) to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties, and 1st session of the Meeting of the Parties (UNFCCC COP/MOP) in Montreal, Canada from November 26 to December 10, 2005.

Ironwood Films
Roeland Park, Kansas

Ironwood Films is a Lakota-operated fledgling media company producing progressive, mixed genre films that are provocative and proactive. The primary mission of Ironwood Films is to explore and promote tribal and cultural issues through educational video and film from a Native point of view. Tribal nations of the Missouri River basin are fighting to protect ancestral burials and other cultural places from destruction, desecration, and exploitation by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, other state and federal agencies, and everyday people. MNI SOSE, Ironwood Films’ current project, shows how the 70-year reign of federal dam control and exploitation of river resources by the Omaha District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and their failure to communicate with tribal nations has devastated tribal autonomy. The film also shows how lands were lost through the congressional movement of tribal boundaries and what happens when development, looting, and riverbank erosion exposes burial grounds and other culturally sensitive areas. Funds will be used for post-production costs including editing, narration, animation, and sound.

Justice Seekers
Nelson House, Manitoba, Canada

There are three key opportunities that Justice Seekers would like to utilize in order to continue to thwart the construction of a new devastating dam or negotiate a truly fair agreement that considers the environmental human rights consequences of Wuskwatim: (1) organizing a visit to the Xcel shareholders meeting in Minneapolis to push for human rights and environmental standards as part of the energy imports from Manitoba Hydro; (2) organizing a march and petition drive for the Canadian legislature; and (3) the publication of a Justice Seekers newsletter that reaches new First Nation communities including Split Lake, South Indian Lake and Cross Lake. Funds will be used for project support for “Accountability to First Nations at Xcel 2006 Shareholder Meetings and in Energy Policy Decisions” where 30 Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation members would travel to Minneapolis and present to Xcel shareholders their concerns about the impact of the dam being constructed.

Native Community Action Council
East Ely, Nevada

NCAC is an organization of Western Shoshone and Southern Paiute peoples brought together by a common need to address the adverse human health impacts believed to be plausible from exposure to hazards from US nuclear development at the Nevada Test Site. The NCAC was created in 1993 at the urging of the Western Shoshone National Council to investigate the impacts upon the people and land of the Western Shoshone Nation. The project was later broadened to include the Southern Paiute people. The work of the NCAC has been largely focused on research that has generated important new information about community lifestyle that play a significant role in identifying vulnerabilities in Native American communities and unique radiation exposure pathways. Community education is another area of NCAC focus that has brought about an understanding of what has happened within both the Western Shoshone and Southern Paiute communities while developing risk communication skills. The NCAC research has demonstrated that Native American communities downwind from the NTS were disproportionately exposed to radiation from the 1950s and 1960s that was ignored in follow up studies except for the research conducted by the NCAC. Funds will be used for general support, in particular for two board meetings to provide much needed organizational development, refocusing and prioritization.

Nulankeyutmonen Nkitahkomikon (We protect the homeland)
Perry, Maine

The Passamaquoddy Bay region is a cultural heritage site. Over the past two years a controversial liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal has been rejected by communities up the coast from Harpswell and Sears port, and now it is focused in our homeland. Funds will support Nulankeyutmonen Nkitahkomikon campaign to educate Tribal people and opinion leaders about the nature/scope of LNG, identify interventions and solutions and organize for reform.

Sicangu Way of Life
Rapid City, South Dakota

As of January 6, 2006, the title of the land has changed hands and Jay Allen and his investors are the legal owners of the 600 acres and intend to purchase the water rights across the road to begin developing this intrusion. Since Allen announced his proposed development in August 2005, one of the largest biker campground/resorts immediately began constructing an amphitheater with the capacity to hold 35,000 concert-goers less than 3 miles from Bear Butte. There are a number of developments now proposed in the immediate area with literally no county zoning required and minimal state permitting, including environmental impacts on the land, animals, water and Bear Butte. The multi-million dollar industry and local government allow excessive noise levels and minimize the social and environmental impacts the 65-year old Rally has on Bear Butte, its surrounding communities and areas. BBIA believes a “circus” or like environment which breeds alcoholic gluttony, drug use and crimes against women such as rape and assault have absolutely no place at such a close proximity to their Sacred Mountain.

In our effort to protect Bear Butte, the BBIA’s grassroots organizing campaign has built allies with many local, regional and international groups. The forefront of the broader organizing campaign that we are seeking funding to formalize, includes groups such as the Coalition to Defend Bear Butte, Lakota Action Network, Owe Aku, and Sicangu Way of Life. Honor the Earth funding will support our short-term organizing strategy that includes initiating a series of public forums, strategic planning sessions, presentations to the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association meeting and community presentations and networking, the development of a land trust fund and build the capacity of the BBIA to coordinate these efforts. These organizational partnerships are key in developing the larger strategy to stop this immediate assault on the integrity of Bear Butte. Funds will be used by the Bear Butte International Alliance for shot-term organizing strategy for protecting Bear Butte.

Owe Aku
Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota

The Intertribal Coalition to Defend Bear Butte was formed in 2005 in order to develop and engage in action to protect this sacred site of the Oglala Council Fire of the Lakota Nation, the largest Council Fire of the Oceti Sakowin, known (inaccurately) historically as the Great Sioux Nation. In addition, Bear Butte is a sacred site to many Indian Nations, thus the vision to form an “Intertribal” Coalition. They are currently in the development stages of Intertribal Coalition to Defend Bear Butte, including the completion of a strategic plan to focus on a long range strategy to protect this sacred site; and to engage in activities to create a broad based awareness of the relationship between tribal nations and Bear Butte as well as to build non-Indian support to our resistance against the desecration of Bear Butte. This is a request for Intertribal Coalition to Defend Bear Butte. The funds will be utilized for gas money for the planning and implementation of the plan, and for food, supplies and materials to support the summer education camp at Bear Butte.

Western Shoshone Defense Project
Crescent Valley, Nevada

Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP) is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and restoring Newe rights and lands for present and future generations based on Newe cultural and spiritual traditions. In the spring, WSDP holds a Spring Gathering for the Crescent Valley area, for support of Rock Creek. It is a weekend filled with traditional foods, informative presentations, singing and drumming with circle dancing, and sweats for men and women. They also hold a Cultural Gathering at Rock Creek, a Shoshone-only spiritual ceremony held in late summer. WSDP also has a Cultural Preservation Program which schedules meetings in eleven communities, field trips, and cultural and educational events to strengthen the spirituality and culture of the Western Shoshone Nation. Funds will be used for the Cultural Preservation Program, Spring Gathering, and Cultural Gathering this spring and summer.

Building Sustainable Communities

Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land
Newton, Massachusetts

Black Mesa Weavers for Land and Life was co-founded in 1998 by a group of Dine and a Massachusetts resident to help restore economic and social self-sufficiency to the region through preservation of traditional lifeways based on sheepherding and the fair trade marketing of their products – primarily Navajo-Churro wool, mohair and weavings. Since 2002, the organization has held annual wool buys, and in 2003, launched a wool-processing enterprise for handspun Dine weaving yarn. They are collaborating with other Indigenous and nonprofit organizations to expand the community-based marketing of Navajo-Churro wool and mohair. They are also advocating for the development of renewable energy resources in the region (a solar-powered windmill for livestock was installed last June; a second will be installed this spring). Funds will be used (1) to pay advances to the handspinners and weavers for their work, which is now being sold entirely on consignment (grant monies would enable the organization to help sustain the weavers and handspinners while their work is being marketed and would be used as a ¬revolving fund); (2) for a stipend to pay the part-time Dine field coordinator; (3) to help cover some of the production costs for the ‘Black Mesa Blanket’ to be produced with Pendleton Woolen Mills as a limited edition fundraiser this year; and (4) to help launch a census of Dine-owned churro sheep.

California Indian Basketweavers Association
Nevada City, California

The purpose of the California Indian Basketweavers Association (CIBA) is to preserve, promote and perpetuate California Indian basketweaving traditions. One of CIBA’s strategies to support their mission is their Resource Protection Program (RPP), because the preservation of basketweaving traditions is wholly dependent upon healthy, vibrant plant and wildlife communities in the natural environment. Within the RPP, CIBA seeks to halt the spraying of pesticides on publicly owned lands and other areas used by Californian Indian Basketweavers and gatherers; to protect basketweavers from exposure to toxic pesticides in gathering areas; and to protect the plant and animal resources used by basketweavers and gatherers. Finally, the RPP program seeks free unrestricted access, currently in jeopardy in some areas due to proposed Forest Service Policy, to gathering sites by California Indian basketweavers, and to support our efforts to re-introduce Native traditional knowledge and wisdom in management and stewardship of gathering sites. Funds will be used for general support of the Resource Protection Program including Resource Protection Analyst salary, travel, supplies and phone.

Haskell Wetlands Preservation Organization
Lawrence, Kansas

Since 1993, the Haskell Wetlands Preservation Organization (WPO), a student organization at the Haskell Indian Nations University (the largest all American Indian and Alaska Native university in the U.S.A.), has led a successful effort by a coalition of environmental organizations to halt the proposed construction of a traffic way (bypass), the South Lawrence Traffic Way (SLT), through a fragile wetlands ecosystem of the south edge of their campus and the north side of the Wakarusa River. The Haskell WPO would like to document the plant and animal life, and their complex interaction in a threatened wetlands ecosystem known as the Haskell-Baker Wetlands. The SLT has not been built, primarily due to lack of state funds, but recent statements from the Kansas Department of Transportation indicate the SLT issue is not dead. Education on the issue, documentation and preservation of the wetland is needed to stop the SLT. Haskell WPO will take their documentation and place it in an exhibit at the new Haskell Cultural Center and Museum focusing on the medicinal and life-enhancing features of this beautiful and threatened place.

Native American Community Board
Yankton Sioux Reservation, South Dakota

NACB’s mission is to address health issues pertinent to their community through cultural preservation, education, coalition building, environmental and natural resource protection while working toward a safe community for women and children at the local, national and international levels. Within their Cultural Preservation Program, the Yankton Sioux History Preservation Project will preserve tribal history and heritage by conducting original research and by protecting historical records for posterity. Existing songs and oral interviews of traditional and Native American Church songs will be transferred onto updated media (CD) in order to prevent the loss of these songs and interviews through age. In addition, interviews will be conducted with the Joe Rockboy family and members of the Native American Church on the Yankton Sioux Reservation and surrounding reservations. Funds will be used for project support for the Yankton Sioux History Preservation Project.

Sustainable Nations Development Project
Trinidad, California

Sustainable Nations Development Project is a Native-led and staffed collaborative organization whose mission is to promote the sovereignty, environmental health, and cultural health of Indigenous nations through community-based appropriate technology development. Sustainable Nations specializes in intensive, hands-on trainings for Native people in small-scale sustainable development technologies. Topics covered include: micro-hydroelectric systems, solar electric systems, small wind generators, sustainable building methods, and innovative on-site wastewater treatment options. Their training includes a technology installation for a tribal community and enables participants to pursue further training, mentorships, and apprenticeships. Funds will be used for general support.

Traditional Native American Farmers Association
Santa Fe, New Mexico

TNAFA is an association of farmers who depend on healthy and vital ecosystems in order to reclaim and maintain their way of life. TNAFA believes revitalization of traditional of Native agriculture will contribute to stabilizing Native communities in three ways: (1) offer economic opportunities for self-sufficiency through sustainable natural and cultural resource development; (2) rebuild a means for cultural transmission while reclaiming damaged eco-and social systems; and (3) create a healthy organic food supply while restoring plant and animal biodiversity to Native lands. Every year, TNAFA hosts their Traditional Agriculture/Permaculture Design Course, which is designed to build sustainable development capacity in the communities and in the communities of their students who will be able to design sustainable living systems from their local and cultural perspective. Funds will be used for project support to help fund the 10th Annual Traditional Agriculture/Permaculture Design Course and will cover costs such as staff salaries, travel, teaching materials, meals, and presenters honoraria.

Youth

Chickaloon Native Village – Ya Ne Dah Ah School
Chickaloon, Alaska

Ya Ne Dah Ah School is a private, tribally-owned and operated school in Chickaloon, Alaska. Their goal is to provide students 2-14 years of age the best education that incorporates Ahtna Athabascan culture, language and traditions with western academics. The school has been in operation since 1992 and one of the only tribally-owned and operated schools in Alaska. Over the last 70 years, as a result of boarding schools and other threats to culture and self-determination, the Ahtna Athabascan culture and language were nearly lost. Today, there remains a single fluent speaking elder in Chickaloon Village. The Ya Ne Dah Ah School seeks to restore and rejuvenate the Athabascan traditional worldview, and is part of the tribal council’s cultural preservation movement. Through a series of activities to reinforce culture and language, the Ya Ne Dah Ah School is encouraging language communication in the classroom, at home, and at community gatherings; teaching Ahtna Athabascan culture and traditions that relate to a subsistence lifestyle and cultural arts; fostering an understanding of tribal government by interaction with the Traditional Council; and teaching math, science, language arts, and social studies to meet Alaska curriculum standards. Funding for the school is currently sought through such sources as public/private foundations, individual donors, earned income, and community support. Funds will be used as general support to help cover operating costs including teacher salaries, school supplies, equipment, rent, Elder stipends, and other overhead.

Indigenous Training Resource Council
Lakewood, Colorado

The Indigenous Training Resource Council (ITRC) promotes Indigenous Self Determination by training Indigenous youth in basic political organizing. They will host training sessions, partner with similarly oriented Native organizations and develop a resource of educational material and direct action strategies to be shared with Native organizations and individuals. Funds will be used as project support for the Training for Native Trainers which will further develop a network of Native Youth Trainers who can bring the skills they acquire back to their communities and tailor them to fit their local circumstances.

Indigenous Youth Coalition of Pinon
Flagstaff, Arizona

Indigenous Youth Coalition of Pinon (IYCP) is a grassroots, youth-led organization that emerged in response for a need to give local youth a positive outlet while dealing with the many challenges/struggles they encounter in the community and society. IYCP strives to provide young people with the tools and knowledge within the context of Dine philosophy so they will be better prepared to face challenges as they arise. As part of their newly launched “Sustainable Living: Reclaiming our Traditional Knowledge” program, IYCP will provide practical hands-on training for sustainable development within the context of Indigenous knowledge including traditional Navajo weaving and community-based farming that will introduce sustainable agriculture practices and permaculture techniques. Funds will be used for project support to cover costs associated with implementing the Sustainable Living: Reclaiming our Traditional Knowledge program during summer 2006.

Lakota Action Network
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota

Lakota Action Network’s (LAN) mission is to create creative and strategic campaigns that work towards building and defending the Lakota Nation. These campaigns focus on protecting Lakota sacred sites, land, ecosystems, and Lakota way of life. This year, LAN will partner with the Thunder Valley Tiospaye, a traditional Lakota family that is working to build a community that is based on the traditional roles that their ancestors have passed down. The Thunder Valley Community House – Sustainable Green Building Project will result in a community house for the Tiospaye that will be a place for ceremonies, community meetings and gatherings. The house will be built from sustainable materials such as cob and straw bale, and LAN hopes that this project will be replicable with other Tiospayes. Funds will be used for project support for the Thunder Valley Community House – Sustainable Green Building Project.

Native Movement
Flagstaff, Arizona

Native Movement was founded in 2003 as a tool to support Indigenous peoples in pursuit of justice, healing and balanced relations. Their core issues relate to the health of relationships between peoples of diverse backgrounds and between human beings and Mother Earth, and they function as a collective of projects and campaigns that are largely led by Indigenous youth, although they consciously outreach to non-Indigenous youth to bridge relationships. Through projects such as Indigenous Action Media, the Substance Abuse Prevention and Gang Awareness Program, and the Youth of the Peaks Program, Native Movement focuses on peace, sustainability, youth leadership development, healing, community building, and movement building. Their work has coalesced into four primary program areas: (1) Bio-Regional Lifeways Network; (2) Youth Movement; (3) Free Alaska; and (4) Movement Support. Funds will be used for general support.

Owe Aku
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota

Owe Aku is a grassroots social change organization comprised of Oglala Lakota people who are committed to the revitalization and preservation of the Lakota way of life. Operating as a Tiospaye (traditional Lakota social structure), Owe Aku’s work focuses on the young generations through two programs: the Lakota Peoples’ School of Liberation and the Environment. Intertwined within these primary program areas are the Lakota Media Project and sacred sites protection. In all areas, Owe Aku seeks to develop leadership and organizing skills in their youth to give them the tools to fight land theft, cultural oppression, and environmental contamination. Funds will be used for general support.

Ring Thunder Ranch, Junior Looper Program
Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota

In 2003-2004, the Crow Creek Reservation experienced a rash of suicides that shook up the small community. Local authorities followed protocol and did what they could for further prevention. Having been previously involved in various child functions and activities on the reservation, David Valandra, owner of Ring Thunder Ranch, decided to do something to help. He started the program “Junior Looper/Dummy Roping” targeted at youth aged 6 to 17 years; in its first year of existence, the program served approximately 120 children. The project is run entirely on donations (monetary and equipment) and runs weekly at the elementary school gym resulting in a spring time roping finals where kids compete for awards. Funds will be used for project support for the Junior Looper Program.

Seventh Native American Generation Magazine
San Francisco, California

Seventh Native American Generation (SNAG) is a youth-led organization whose mission is to provide young people with the skills necessary to create multimedia including writing, art and audio/video, and to encourage them by publishing their work in SNAG Magazine and online. The magazine and website provide a public forum for young people who are unheard and unseen in mainstream media, and feature first-person essays, poetry, photographs and illustrations created by Native youth across the United States and Canada. SNAG’s goal is to train future leaders who utilize media in a positive and productive manner to communicate their message. SNAG also conducts outreach to schools and other youth organizations through workshops such as their 2006 “Indigenous Media and the Environment,” which will teach graphic design principles, foster writing and editing skills, and audio editing and radio production. Participants will not only help produce the fifth issue of SNAG Magazine celebrating young women and Mother Earth but will be responsible for producing a radio show relating to their cultural heritage and/or involving an environmental issue that affects their community. Funds will be used for general support.

SHAWL Society
Spokane Indian Reservation, Washington

SHAWL Society is an emerging grassroots advocacy organization based on the Spokane Indian Reservation in eastern Washington. SHAWL Society seeks to help local tribal members come together and work toward developing a healthy, culturally empowered, environmentally sustainable future for future generations. The major focus of the SHAWL Society involves developing community education and strategies to address impacts of radiation exposure due to 50+ years of uranium mining and milling on the reservation. One of SHAWL Society’s successful youth programs, Tribal Youth Media Training, was implemented in 2005 and trained youth in video documentation, radio, in-studio video production and print journalism. Youth participated in an intensive five-week training session and continue to participate in monthly productions and additional training activities, implementing activities into high school and college courses. Funds will be used for general support for the various youth components of SHAWL Society’s work including the Tribal Youth Media Training Program.

War Chief Canoe Club
LaConner, Washington

The War Chief Canoe Club was formed in 1999 with the vision of creating healthier lifestyles and promoting healthy living behavior among the youth, family, and community on the Swinomish Reservation in Washington. The canoe is a vehicle for cultural restoration, youth organizing, and development of youth leadership. The intent is to keep high-risk youth alcohol, drug and violence free for the duration of the program. The development of self-confidence, self-respect, physical fitness, nutrition, team building, cooperation, and strong social skills are positive outcome of the program, which promotes culture and sobriety and the passing on of the art of canoe racing so that the tradition will continue in future generations. Each year, the Club travels to approximately eight canoe races and the thirty members of the Club range from seven years of age to 16 years. Funds will be used to cover the costs of hosting a canoe race in the Swinomish Tribal Community and also for travel to canoe races in other communities.