Nov. 3: The Art of Native Philanthropy

Native American leaders from varied experiences share their successes and challenges, as well as their views about the future of philanthropy in Native communities.

When: Thursday 3 November 6:30-8:30 PM

Where: the Eiteljorg Museum in the Clowes Sculpture Court

The Third Millennium Philanthropy & Leadership Initiative, a program of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University (IUPUI) is illuminating the path to fully inclusive philanthropic leadership through the Millennium Lecture Series. The upcoming lecture in the series is entitled “The Art of Native Philanthropy.” Native American leaders from varied experiences will share their successes and challenges, as well as their views about the future of philanthropy in Native communities. The Native belief that the Sacred Circle will grow and expand if it is shared is demonstrated in these stories of arts, culture and community building using traditional practices in a modern era of philanthropic structures. Such communities are coming together, sharing experiences and building organizations that have a positive influence on family, land and language, all of which supports Native cultural reclamation.

The primary speaker is Joy Persall (Ontario Ojibway), Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy, which is a national membership organization that was formed in 1990 to advance philanthropy by and for Native Americans. Among her many achievements, Persall was instrumental in the expansion of a $1 million dollar endowed fund for Native American projects in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the Emerging Philanthropic Leaders Fellowship of the National Council on Foundations, Chair of Grantmaking for Changemakers and serves on the community grantmaking committee of the Fund of the Sacred Circle, a Native American fund of the Headwaters Foundation. Persall is a mother, grandmother and activist and has committed her life to raising awareness of issues of diversity and inclusion.

Accompanying Persall are two key philanthropic leaders, David Cournoyer (Sicangu/Lakota) and Lori Pourier (Oglala Lakota). Cournoyer is the board chairperson of Native Americans in Philanthropy and program director of the Lumina Foundation for Education. Based in Indianapolis, Lumina is a private, independent foundation helping people to achieve access and success in education. Pourier is president of First Peoples Fund, a Native American foundation. The foundation honors and supports first peoples artists by recognizing them through Annual Community Spirit Awards and Cultural Capital Grant Fellowships. The foundation also provides technical assistance to artists through the Business Leadership Program.

This event is free and open to the public.