First Nations to award up to 10 grants to support the revitalization and perpetuation of Native languages
LONGMONT, Colorado (September 28, 2022) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is now accepting grant applications to strengthen Native language immersion education programs that preserve Indigenous languages and cultures throughout the U.S.
During this funding cycle, First Nations will award 6 to 10 grants ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 to build the capacity of Native-controlled nonprofit organizations and tribal government programs actively supporting Native language immersion programs.
This is the sixth cycle of the Native Language Immersion Initiative at First Nations, which was launched in 2017 to build on longtime efforts to support the revitalization and perpetuation of Native languages. The initiative has made a notable impact throughout Indian Country―awarding 52 grants totaling over $4.4 million to grow and strengthen 34 Native language immersion programs.
The new grant cycle is made possible through funding from the NoVo Foundation, as well as from Sunderland Foundation, which recently awarded First Nations a three-year $1.5 million general operating grant in support of First Nations’ programs and projects.
First Nations Senior Program Officer Kendall Tallmadge said First Nations is grateful for this investment, and the ability to direct funding to Native language programs. “Native language learning not only keeps Native languages alive, it also gives rise to many positive social, cultural and economic impacts, promotes individual healing, and leads to cultural revitalization and endurance.”
The continuation of the Native Language Immersion Initiative is timely as the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032 calls our attention to the critical situation of Indigenous languages across the globe. The loss of a language brings a loss of knowledge, culture, and identity – the markers of our diverse humanity.
The Native Language Immersion Initiative grants support administrative, programmatic and organizational capacity-building activities and language-immersion programs. Tribes, Native-controlled nonprofits, and Native-controlled community organizations with active Native language immersion programs located in the United States or U.S. territories are eligible to apply.
The online application is due November 2, 2022, and can be accessed here.
Q&A webinars on the application process will be held October 5 and October 20, 2022. More information is available here.
About First Nations Development Institute
For over 42 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.
Program Contact: Kendall Tallmadge, Senior Program Officer, [email protected]
Media Contact: Amy Jakober, Senior Communications Officer, [email protected].
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