We are excited to support the third cohort of Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellows and their work as knowledge keepers and knowledge makers. Announced by our partner, First Nations Development Institute, these ten Indigenous leaders, dedicated to perpetuating their communities’ cultures and ways of life, were chosen from more than 300 applicants. They represent a breadth of expertise across fields including education and child development, language preservation, and traditional arts practices.

Bernadette Demientieff
Tribal Member of Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Government
Knowledge Field: Land, Water and Animal Protector/ Mother

Jessica Denny
Cheesh’na Tribe
Knowledge Field: Ahtna Language Specialist

Mariah Gladstone
Blackfeet, Cherokee
Knowledge Field: Food Systems Advocate

Jessa Rae Growing
Thunder, Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux
Knowledge Field: Beadwork/Quillworker

Coy Harwood
Blackfeet/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
Knowledge Field: Hunter, Health and Wellness Advocate

hôbEthlE Ryan Hill
Yuchi
Knowledge Field: Language Advocate

Tessie Naranjo
Santa Clara Pueblo
Knowledge Field: Cultural Preservationist

Melody Windsong Redbird-Post, Ph.D
Kiowa Tribe
Knowledge Field: Educator

Francis “Palani” Sinenci
Native Hawaiian
Knowledge Field: Kuhikuhi Pu’uone (Master Indigenous Architect)

Lynda Teller Pete
Diné/Navajo
Knowledge Field: Diné Weaver

Learn more about each fellow

The Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship is entering its third year with the announcement of the 2022 Cohort of fellows consisting of 10 outstanding Indigenous leaders selected for their cultural knowledge and insights.

Conceived and facilitated by First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) and the Henry Luce Foundation (Luce), the fellowship is designed to identify, support, and convene Native American knowledge holders and knowledge makers who embody exceptional creativity and progressive and critical thinking, and who have the potential to significantly move forward their fields in ways that will ultimately lead to broad, transformative impacts for Native communities and beyond.

First Nations President and CEO Michael Roberts said the new cohort represents an extraordinary cross-section of Indigenous leaders who are culture bearers in their communities, and a welcome addition to the growing pool of Luce Indigenous Knowledge fellows past and present.

“The Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship has become a key strategy in First Nations’ mission to strengthen Native communities and economies,” Roberts said. “The knowledge of these fellows and the communities that support them are a cultural asset, and investing in the creativity, genius, and talent of these fellows is a way to reinforce and perpetuate those community assets – ensuring cultural health of Native communities for generations to come.”

Sean T. Buffington, vice president of the Henry Luce Foundation, said he continues to be impressed by the knowledge and commitment exemplified by the fellows. “I’ve seen firsthand the fantastic work being done by these leaders. The Henry Luce Foundation is honored to support them and their contributions to Indian Country and beyond,” he said.

Selected fellows receive a monetary award of $75,000 and access to additional resources for training and professional development. They also commit to meeting regularly throughout the first year of the two-year fellowship to share and grow their knowledge, projects, and drive to achieve their personal and community goals.

The 2022 cohort of Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellows was selected by an Indigenous advisory committee. Ten candidates were selected from over 300 applicants in a competitive, two-phase application, and peer-reviewed process.

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