Workforce initiative awards eight Native nations

Shondiin Mayo

Over $500,000 has been allocated to various organizations nationwide to assist workers and learners within Native nations and communities.

The Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Initiative (WGNNC), launched by Workforce Matters , has revealed eight recipients who will each obtain up to $70,000 to develop initiatives focused on involving workers and learners in Native nations in the creation and execution of workforce policies and programs. These awardees, representing organizations tailored to address the unique workforce development challenges faced by Native nations, will benefit from adaptable resources and support to test, innovate, or enhance their strategies.

The recipients of the awards are as follows:

Purple Maiʻa Foundation from Hawai'i, Kenaitze Indian Tribe located in Kenai; Alaska, Little Big Horn College based in Crow Agency, Montana; Red Lake Nation- Oshkiimaajitahdah in Redby, Minnesota; Saad K'idilyé from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Northern California Indian Development Council , Inc in Eureka, California; Change Labs situated in Tuba City, Arizona; and MIGIZI Communications Inc . from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The initiative aims to enhance workforce-oriented organizations and programs that are led by and serve Native nations and communities. This initiative seeks to influence the perspectives and actions of partners, including funders, policymakers, and researchers, to better support the needs of Indigenous communities.

Saad K'idilyé, one of the grantees, is a grassroots organization and language nest based in Albuquerque, NM, which began its operations on Aug.15, 2022. It has gained recognition for its commitment to cultural preservation through initiatives focused on language revitalization. The organization offers childcare for infants and toddlers, conducted entirely in the Navajo language, with a strong focus on cultural education. In addition to childcare, families benefit from weekly language classes and cultural activities, including food preparation, storytelling, and traditional games. As Saad K'idilyé evolves, it aims to support the developmental needs of children as they transition into preschool and elementary education.

Warlance Chee, the director of Saad K'idilyé, stated that the organization will utilize the funds to enhance its employees' language skills, thereby better supporting the needs of children and families.

Chee explains, "...we already knew that we're going to use those funds for second language learners, caretaker apprentices, for them to know, develop or increase their comprehension and also develop their fluency and language proficiency."

Support for second language learners highlights the increasing population of aging fluent Navajo speakers. In response, the language nest is actively working to enhance the skills of these learners, enabling them to achieve proficiency. Acquiring a second language can be challenging; however, the provision of funding will facilitate opportunities for higher education, certification, and assessments for educators. This initiative is designed to enhance effective language instruction for future generations, irrespective of the career paths they choose.

"They just have to put in that very hard work to learn, to learn a second language you know proficiently and pass that test." Chee said.

Ultimately, the funds will not only allow staff to professionally develop but also the opportunity to preserve the Navajo culture through the revitalization of their language.

The Kenaitze tribe is another recipient of funding. With the funding, the tribe now helps their un'ina, a term in the Dena'ina language referring to those that come to us, by facilitating connections with potential employers and tribal citizens.

Krista Pitsch, the education and career development manager for the Kenaitze Tribe, emphasizes that the funding enables the organization to connect tribal citizens with job opportunities and provide training to develop the necessary skills for those positions. With the goal of, "...getting the tribal members just to feel confident... in their place in the community, and their contribution to the community, as well as them being proud of being self-sufficient." The primary objective of the Kenaitze Tribe is to ensure the enduring prosperity of the Kahtnuht'ana Dena'ina. The funding provided helps the tribe to emphasize self-sufficiency and the importance of working within their ancestral lands to enhance the tribe's resilience.

In the future, the tribe hopes to become a, "...One Stop Shop Job Center for our Native people in the area, to be able to come in and from whatever they need, from mock interview training to just a computer to use because they want to do some job searching to maybe it's GED services."

The Kenaitze Tribe is gearing up to utilize the funds to assist its tribal citizens soon, while internally, employees and council members are enthusiastic about the recent funding they have received.

Each grantee has tailored the grant to address the unique requirements of staff and tribal members, promoting their growth and assistance. Alongside the development of staff and tribal members, support is also extended to Indigenous youth, with MIGIZI Communications Inc. concentrating its funding on two youth employment initiatives. The First Persons Productions and Green Tech Program helps youth not only develop skills within the program to meet its objectives but also develop skills that prepare them for employment.

Kelly Drummer, president of MIGIZI Communications shares that to the youth, "It's their first job application that they have to fill out. It's their first interview. That they have to complete is their first time where they have to get documentation that they need for employment."

Drummer said that each year consists of four groups of students, and regardless of the program selected, participants receive compensation for their time. The First Persons Productions Program introduces Indigenous youth to the art of storytelling, allowing them to engage with cameras, audio equipment, and earn certifications in Adobe software. These experiences culminate in a final project that highlights their abilities through the creation of a film. The alternative program, Green Tech, engages high school students in STEM education from an Indigenous viewpoint. This year, the program will concentrate on the impact of pollution on wild rice.

From Hawai'i to Minnesota, each grantee nationwide has demonstrated its essential role to workforce development within their communities, aiming to enhance the skills of tribal members and support them comprehensively. If your community is interested in applying for these funds or has questions, email .