Native Americans in Philanthropy conference

It’s true that April showers bring May flowers. My April was filled with exciting travels and attending in-person conferences. These travels showered newly planted seeds of partnerships and innovative ideas that have now begun to sprout this month.

One of these impactful trips was attending the Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) conference in Minneapolis, MN in April. It was my first time attending this professional function that quickly became my favorite. As I walked into the hotel ballroom on the first day, my eyes immediately caught the brown skin of the people, while my ears turned its functionality to understand the “rez” banter that filled the room. The conference was filled with like-minded, spirited Native leaders who are ready to tackle the socio-economic & environmental injustices that affect our people and communities. Within 5 minutes of my time there, it felt like home..

Representatives of more than 50 Tribes and Indigenous communities from around the world, along with non-Tribal allies and friends, gathered to discuss key issues and successes on philanthropic giving. But not only was this conference about business, it was also about sharing Traditional knowledge, stories and reconnecting centuries-old networks amongst our people. An evening filled with bingo, comedy and music allowed for the “rez life” to come to life in downtown Minneapolis.

Over the course of the 3-day conference, we discussed key issues where philanthropy has failed and how it can learn from those failures to address the systemic injustices. Conversations around the lack of transparency and accountability was vital for grantors to hear and understand the shortfalls in working with Tribal nations. Attending this conference gave me a grander view of the challenges that affect Tribal & Indigenous communities across the globe. Long enough, philanthropy has favored the privileged and neglected Tribes. This conference made certain that it’s time for Native peoples to take action and reverse the course of history.

As I look back at the conference, I can still hear the laughs that filled the room and the rich stories shared by elders. I still see all the Native leaders talking at the podium about how we need to change the system together. The three days I had in Minneapolis were a blessing filled with seeing old friends, making new ones and feeling reinvigorated about our work, while being thankful for the showers of new networks and planting the seeds of change.