Liberated Capital Distributes $1.5 Million to Indigenous Groups to Support Native American Self-Determination Efforts

Liberated Capital Distributes $1.5 Million to Indigenous Groups to Support Native American Self-Determination Efforts

The funding to over 30 organizations will provide resources to help Native Californians engage with the California Truth and Healing Council and uplift Indigenous efforts across the U.S. to combat the climate crisis

New York, NY – February 27, 2023 – Liberated Capital, a fund of Decolonizing Wealth Project,  today announced more than $1.5 million to more than 30 Indigenous-led organizations and tribes to support their efforts to expand Native American self-determination efforts through both its California Truth & Healing Fund (CATHF) and Indigenous Earth Fund (IEF). CATHF supports Indigenous-led groups in California as they seek truth and healing through a state-led examination of their shared history; IEF resources Indigenous leaders and organizations working to advance solutions to the climate crisis. 

“Indigenous leaders and their wisdom must be at the center of any conversation surrounding healing from the trauma of colonization and ways to mitigate the climate crisis,” said Edgar Villanueva, Founder and Principal, Decolonizing Wealth Project. “Indigenous-lead organizations and leaders are guided by generations of knowledge and practices and have always known the best tactics to tackle these issues. I’m enlightened by their knowledge and I’m confident that the country will see what’s possible when we invest in and uplift their voices and their important work.” 

The California Truth and Healing Fund aims to support the engagement of California Native American families, communities, tribes and organizations in the healing opportunities inspired  by the The California Truth & Healing Council. Established in 2019 through Executive Order N-15-19, The California Truth & Healing Council works to clarify the historical record regarding the troubled relationship between the State of California and California Native Americans, with the goals of advancing  truth and healing. Decolonizing Wealth Project is working alongside the Governor’s Office and the Council to streamline efforts across the philanthropic sector and seed funds to groups that are spearheading healing and narrative change initiatives. 

Now in its second year, the Indigenous Earth Fund is driven by the belief that Indigenous people must lead the fight for climate action and land conservation. Historically, Indigenous-led organizations receive a small percentage of philanthropic climate funding, and are largely excluded from regional and national discussions on both climate change and conservation, despite having ancient and traditional solutions proven to protect the environment. The Indigenous Earth Fund centers and resources Native American leadership to use their traditions, wisdom, and cultural practices to protect and steward natural resources.

Year 1 grantees for the California Truth & Healing Fund 

• Ione Band of Miwok Indians – Plymouth, CA
• Blue Lake Rancheria California – Blue Lake, CA
• Heritage: Indigenous Research Project – Nevada City, CA 
• Scott Valley Indian Community – Woodland, CA 
• yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini – Northern Chumash Tribe  San Luis Obispo County and Region – Arroyo Grande, CA 
• Tolowa Needash Society – Crescent City, CA 
• Redbud Resource Group – Santa Rosa, CA
• Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians – Willits, CA
• Wukchumni Tribe – Visalia, CA
• Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians – Redwood Valley, CA
• Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians – San Fernando, CA
• Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation – Santa Barbara, CA
• Tsnungwe of California – Salyer, CA

Year 2 Indigenous Earth Fund Grantees

• Native Organizers Alliance – Seattle, WA
• Native Movement – Fairbanks, AK
• SAGE Development Authority – Fort Yates, ND
• Water Protector Legal Collective – Albuquerque, NM
• Northern Alaska Environmental Center – Fairbanks, AK
• Indian Land Tenure Foundation – Little Canada, MN
• Children of the Setting Sun Productions – Bellingham, WA
• Sicangu CDC – Mission, SD
• Save California Salmon – Orleans, CA
• Sogorea Te’ Land Trust – Oakland, CA
• Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians – Portland, OR
• Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples – Santa Monica, CA
• Ekvn-Yefolecv – Weogufka, AL
• Resources Legacy Fund – Sacramento, CA
• Brave Heart Society – Lake Andes, SD
• San Juan Collaborative for Health Equity, Dine’ Centered Research Evaluation – Yatahey, NM
• Aloha Kuamoʻo ʻĀina – Kailua-Kona, HI
• Northern Chumash Tribal Council – Guadalupe, CA
• Native Conservancy – Cordova, AK
• Flower Hill Institute – Jemez Pueblo, NM
• Wishtoyo Foundation – Ventura, CA
• First Peoples’ Conservation Council (FPCC) of Louisiana – Montegut, LA
• Honor the Earth – Ponsford, MN

ABOUT DECOLONIZING WEALTH PROJECT

Led by Edgar Villanueva (Lumbee), Decolonizing Wealth Project (DWP) works globally to disrupt the existing systems of moving and controlling capital using education and healing programs, radical reparative giving, and storytelling. Through its fund, Liberated Capital, DWP moves untethered resources to Indigenous, Black and other people-of-color-led initiatives working for economic and racial justice.

www.decolonizingwealth.com  

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