The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples
Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples (SGF) designs programs and implements strategies for Native-led initiatives throughout the Indigenous world. Such projects have a positive impact on Mother Earth and Indigenous Community well-being.
Our initiative focused on two elements: 1) Climate Change and its impacts on the Earth, its Biodiversity and all that is alive, and 2) Traditional Healing Practices. This work highlights Traditional Native Knowledge and its renaissance during the recent pandemic, and how such practices will be trusted again during the coming climate Calamity. Indigenous wisdom and prophecy have always informed Seventh Generation Fund’s vision, direction, and methodology.
Overarching Findings
Philanthropy should consider supporting community-generated and led work that originates from and is grounded in the Indigenous Peoples it serves and most impacted by the issues and outcomes.
Philanthropy should consider directing additional resources to Indigenous Peoples and communities through grantmaking, program-related activities, and support that strengthen community well-being, Traditional healing methodologies, Climate caused Calamity and the implementation of traditional strategies that mitigate or prepare such communities for a changing world.
Philanthropy should consider designing a capacity building initiative that includes; community organizing, leadership training, and organizational development to increase assets, information, skills, and effectiveness within such communities.
Philanthropy should consider catalyzing change through movement building focused on decolonization, Re-Indigenization, and self-determination.
Reflection Questions
The framework which we believe strengthens tribally specific, Earth-based cultures and identities, and supports Earth healing and community well-being, beckons the following critical questions.
Does your foundation have guidelines and a written strategy for working with Native/Indigenous/Tribal Nations/communities?
Does your foundation currently support climate change or health and healing projects to Indigenous Peoples?
Does your foundation recognize that Indigenous Peoples, communities, and nations understand the issues they face? And further, does your foundation recognize that such Peoples are best suited to design solutions and programs that remedy their concerns?
Does your foundation understand that Indigenous Peoples advance the wisdom, knowledge, cultures, and practices that shape and inform the vitality of future generations and which support Mother Earth’s abilities to nurture and sustain life?
Does your foundation mobilize, within Indigenous Communities, the resources such as grants, technical assistance, and organizational capacity building that increase assets, knowledge, and skills?
Does your foundation engage civil society, the greater philanthropic arena, and pertinent partners to advance Native issues, strategies, and perspectives?
Does your foundation support Indigenous communities through specifically focused campaigns, issue advocacy, intergenerational mentoring, convening and peer learning?
Resources for Traditional Healing
Articles
Cultural Survival Quarterly Magazine, Alexandra Carraher-Kang, “Indigenous Rebirth: A Return to Traditional Birthing Practices and Maternal Care.”
Indian Country Today, Sydney Akridge, Native News, “Trying to teach ourselves' deep-rooted knowledge: The role of traditional medicine throughout generations and integrating it into the Indian health system.”
Indian Country Today, Hilary C. Tompkins, “The First Americans can help find a path to healing in America.”
Lakota Times, Natalie Hand, “Healing with Horses.”
Today’s Parent, Andrea Landry, “Why I Carried My Baby in a Tikinagan.”
Tribal College Journal, Jessica White Plume, “Four Legged Healers: Horse Culture as Medicine.”
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Original Instructions by Melissa Nelson
The World We Used to Live In: Remembering the Medicine Men by Vine Deloria, Jr.
Think Indigenous: Native American Spirituality for a Modern World, by Doug Good Feather, transcribed by Doug Red Hail Pineda
Red Medicine: Traditional Indigenous Rites of Birthing and Healing by Patrisia Gonzales
Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change by Sherri Mitchell
Lead Contact
Chris Peters
Christopher Peters (Puhlik-lah/Karuk) has more than 50 years of experience in grassroots community organizing. He was first employed with Seventh Generation Fund in 1989 as a Senior Program Officer. He later became the Executive Director in 1990, and subsequently, in 1999, he was appointed as SGF’s President and CEO. For over 31 years he has served the organization and remains its President. Chris’ work is especially focused on climate change, sacred sites protection, and the renaissance of sacred knowledge and Earth Renewal ceremonies of Northern California Tribal Peoples.
