Who was involved in the creation of the Foundation?

Led by Program Officer Elizabeth Theobald Richards (Cherokee), the Ford Foundation responded to the call for a Native arts fund by engaging in a deep consultative process within Indian Country.

In an extensive feasibility study, the Ford Foundation gathered information from a wide variety of leaders in the Native arts and cultures field. A leadership circle of four advisors—Walter Echo-Hawk (Pawnee), Joy Harjo (Mvskoke/Creek), Jayne Fawcett (Mohegan) and Elizabeth Woody (Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama)—provided guidance as the study included observations from Ford Foundation grantee and other field gatherings, existing literature, and research on operational and financial models for philanthropies.

Capacity Building Initiative

Walter Echo-Hawk Releases New Book

Native Arts and Cultures Foundation's Board Chair, Walter Echo-Hawk, released his new book titled,"In the Courts of the Conqueror: The 10 Worst Indian Law Cases Ever Decided."

The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Visits Washington D.C.

“These gifts demonstrate strong tribal interest in creating a powerful funding engine for protecting and preserving Native art and culture—the very cornerstones of tribal sovereignty. A foundation of this nature will help reverse the long history of government suppression of Native culture done as part of the United States' assimilation program. Through gifts of this nature, Indian Country can direct its resources to protect what is closest to home to all Indian tribes—our own cultures."

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Board Chair, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation