Indigenous Lifeways Fund

Indigenous Lifeways Fund is sponsored by Na'ah Illahee Fund. Supports Indigenous-led projects that promote healing, transfer traditional knowledge, and advance environmental justice and regenerative economies.

Indigenous Lifeways Fund | Na'ah Illahee Fund Status: CLOSED Overview Details How to Apply We support Indigenous-led projects that promote community healing, advance environmental justice, and transfer traditional knowledge to future generations. We are committed to uplifting the Indigenous Lifeways that our ancestors have practiced since time immemorial.

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have lived in deep connection with the lands and waters of our homelands. Through these relationships, we have cultivated what we now call Traditional Knowledge—knowledge rooted in respect, care, and honor for all living things.

Despite the many challenges we have faced, from forced removal and cultural disruption to the ongoing impacts of colonialism, our Traditional Knowledge and values endure. They live in the land and in the circle of life, and we honor the Knowledge Keepers who continue to share this wisdom. As Indigenous people, one of our greatest strengths is our ability to adapt.

In an ever-changing world, we remain resilient by applying our Traditional Knowledge to modern contexts. Now, at a critical juncture in our collective human history, we must confront the harmful impacts of extractive systems and pursue new ways of addressing our needs—ways that honor Mother Earth, promote justice, and rebuild our regenerative economies. Status: CLOSED.

Proposals will be accepted through March 5, 2025.

The Indigenous Lifeways Fund seeks to support Indigenous-led projects and activities that: Promote healing and wellness in Indigenous communities Transfer Traditional Knowledge to future generations Address barriers to community-led problem-solving Advance environmental justice and regenerative economies Examples of funding requests and projects that qualify: Environmental Justice: Projects addressing pollution, land restoration, water quality, or environmental degradation in frontline communities.

Indigenous Food Security and Food Sovereignty: Initiatives focused on traditional gathering, hunting, farming, and food system practices, as well as community gardens, seed saving, and food sovereignty education. Green Infrastructure: Clean energy projects, recycling programs, composting, and other sustainable practices aligned with Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

Youth Leadership: Programs that engage youth in traditional knowledge transfer, leadership development, and cultural practices. MMIR (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives): Campaigns and educational projects raising awareness and supporting justice for MMIR.

Type 1: $1,000-$10,000 for costs associated with short-term needs such as community outreach, a gathering, etc. Type 2: $10,000-$25,000 up to 1-yr general operating support for new or existing projects. Type 3: $25,000-$50,000 up to 1-year green infrastructure or restoration projects The community project must be located in the Greater Northwest region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and British Columbia).

The applicant must be an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization: 501(c)3 or Canadian Registered Charity; OR a Native community group with a fiscal sponsor. Tribes and First Nations are eligible. We accept Indigenous Individuals on a per case basis.

Please call or write us first to talk through your project! * For Na’ah Illahee Fund, Indigenous includes anyone who holds tribal affiliation with or identifies with Indigenous nations in North, Central, or South America or identifies as Native Hawaiian. **Grantees are only eligible to receive one Na’ah Illahee grant per calendar year, but you are able to return if you were funded in previous years!

What Types of Groups Are We Unable to Support?

NIF does not provide grants to groups that: Practice or promote racism, sexism, homophobia, or any form of oppression or exploitation of other humans or the natural world Force, coerce or exclude others based on religious or spiritual beliefs Are not making an effort to protect Mother Earth Are connected to political parties, political rallies or are otherwise partisan in their work Status: Open on Oct.

23, 2024 Our preferred application method is through our online grant platform, JustFund . Step 1: Watch our informational webinar here . Step 2: Make a common application through JustFund, if you don’t have one already.

Step 3: Apply for the Indigenous Lifeways Fund on the JustFund portal. This application includes a project budget. Here is a budget template that you can use if helpful.

If you would like to share your project by phone or need any additional assistance, please contact Janine Savok at info@naahillahee. org or 907. 942.

5013. How do we make decisions? Applications and projects must be Indigenous-led.

Incomplete applications will be sent back with additional support on how to resubmit. We make grants in support of innovative, solutions-oriented projects that are rooted in cultural traditions. Preference will be given to intergenerational activities that pass critical knowledge from elders to youth.

We will prioritize projects in the most over-burdened and under-resourced communities What is our grant making process? Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2025. To be considered in the first round of awards that will go out this year, please apply by Nov.

25, 2024 at 6pm (PST) . The Community-based Grant Committee reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations. For the winter 2024 round, decisions will be announced by Dec.

5, 2024. NIF Admin staff will contact you so we can get a few more details on issuing the grant award by Dec. 13, 2024 for the first round.

Payments are issued upfront for your project. After the grant timeline is completed (by Dec. 31, 2025) , NIF staff will reach out to see how your project went!

Our ‘reporting process’ will be co-created with you and can be a conversation, storytelling, or site visits. If you have questions, or need any help with JustFund or the application, please contact: Janine Savok, info@naahillahee. org or 907.

942. 5013. (she/her), Swinomish/Visayan, Community Engagement and Culture Director Currently she works as a Community Engagement & Culture Director for the Na’ah Illahee Fund, and serves on the board of the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Skagit YMCA.

She continues to work in partnership with the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection, co-chairs the Protect Mother Earth Subcommittee, and is a member of the Swinomish Health, Education and Social Services Committee.

Shelly developed a place-based curriculum about the history and culture of the Swinomish peoples and taught a series of cultural sovereignty courses for over 10 years at the Northwest Indian College – Coast Salish Institute within their Native Studies Leadership Program. Previously her team provided leadership and consultation for the Lummi Cedar Project – Organized Generations Healthy Lifestyles Program.

Ms. Vendiola served as President for the national Indigenous Women’s Network and a Campaign Director for the Indigenous Environmental Network. Shelly received several years of formal dispute resolution training from the Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc., and the San Francisco Community Boards Program.

She is the recipient of the Native Action Network – Enduring Spirit Award, and a recognized educator and peacemaker in the Northwest region. Shelly has an M. Ed.

in Higher Education and practices indigenous pedagogy and indigenous research methodology within all aspects of her work. Following in her father’s footsteps, Shelly is passionate about gardening. She practices the ancient form of meditation known as Qi Gong for balance, energy, and resiliency, and is a certified Yoga instructor.

Her motto is, “There is nothing permanent in the world but change, the key is how we flow with it! ”