First Nations Development Institute appointed an advisory committee of Native American intellectual leaders who gathered in March to discuss the parameters of the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship. These eight Native American intellectual leaders represent a diversity of geographies, tribes, and fields, and they will convene again in November to review fellowship applications.

The goal of the fellowship program is to support outstanding Native Americans from a variety of fields who are engaged in the creation and dissemination of knowledge that advances their fields in ways that can lead to broad, transformative impacts for Native communities and beyond.

For nearly 39 years, First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has had the privilege of working with countless Native American leaders—elders, knowledge keepers, cultural advisers, language experts and the like—to restore, rebuild and/or perpetuate Indigenous knowledge systems. We have witnessed such individuals spark significant innovation and change in their communities.

Recently, First Nations, with generous support from the Henry Luce Foundation, launched a new fellowship program—the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship—to recognize and reward some of these outstanding individuals for their important community contributions and dedication to preserving and perpetuating Indigenous culture, language, history and lifeways. The fellowship will provide awards in the amount of $50,000 each to 10 individuals.

Earlier this year, First Nations appointed an advisory committee to discuss the parameters of this new fellowship program. The committee, which consists of eight distinguished Native American intellectual leaders representing a diversity of geographies, tribes and fields, met for two days at First Nations’ office in Longmont, Colorado, on Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29, 2019, to refine application materials and ensure that the selection process is inclusive and benefits all. The advisory committee will meet again in November to review applications and interview finalists.

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