Description

Today, I am seeking your approval of two grants from the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative. The Indigenous Knowledge Initiative proposes to award $100,000 to Creative Time and $50,000 to Not an Alternative. Creative Time organizes public art projects by contemporary artists in New York City. Over 50 years, the organization has supported 350 project, including, in recent year: Kara Walker’s sphinx at the Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn, Pedro Reyes’ site specific performances at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, and Duke Riley’s aerial pigeon performances at the Navy Yard.
This year, Creative Time plans to present “The World’s Un-fair,” a project of Indigenous artist collective New Red Order. “The World’s Un-fair” will take place over three weeks on a site in Manhattan (possibly Battery Park); it will comprise art installations and performances as well as a symposia, lectures, and workshops—collectively titled the “Give It Back” conference. Luce has been asked to support programming associated with the conference. “Give It Back” will engage scholars, Indigenous community leaders, elected officials, landowners, and artists and performers in an exploration of the LandBack movement and, in particular, of LandBack in New York City.
“LandBack” has attracted a great deal of attention lately, but is a slogan more than a practice. New Red Order is interested in hearing from those who have chosen to return land—like the town of Eureka, CA, which returned 200 acres of Tulawat Island to the Wiyot Nation. What has it meant to those who have given land back to do so; why have the chosen to do it; how was it accomplished? Additionally, the conference will bring together representatives of the Lenape diaspora (scattered across the US and Canada) for the first diasporic gathering in Lenapehoking (the lands of the Lenape). The “World’s Un-fair” and associated events are free and open to the public.
The bulk of Luce funding would be used for event costs—including honoraria and artists’ fees, travel and lodging, audio-visual equipment, etc. The grant would advance the Initiative’s objective 1b, primarily, and secondarily, Goal 2.
Not An Alternative is non-profit arts organization founded in 2014 that seeks to address intersecting environmental and social issues. Its principal project is the Natural History Museum, a public humanities initiative that organizes exhibitions, supports research, educates the public, and consults with museums about responsible curatorial practices. Indigenous knowledges related to the natural environment are the foundation of the Natural History Museum’s work. Its most recent project is “Whale People: Protectors of the Sea” and exhibition and IMAX film co-produced with the Lummi Nation based in coastal Washington. The exhibition and film have been presented—in indoor and outdoor versions—at college and university museums and on tribal homelands; the film has been featured at festivals including Cannes and Toronto.
The present grant of $50,000 will support the Museum’s fellowship program and, in particular, the first symposium featuring the fellows. The fellows are Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and practitioners engaged in re-thinking natural and environmental science and history. The symposium will feature the fellows as well as other leaders reflecting on Euro-American approaches to conservation and alternatives to them. Panels will include “Indigenizing Conservation” and Defending the Sacred in Law and Policy;” the invited participants comprise thinkers from across the country, including University of Illinois Professor Ros LaPier (Blackfeet), Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Jon Eagle Sr. (Standing Rock Sioux), University of Arizona geographer Andrew Curley (Navajo) and many others. The symposium will be streamed live and at no cost to the general public.
Luce funds will go to staff salaries and fellows’ stipends, speakers honoraria, event production and promotion, technology, etc. The grant would also advance Initiative Objective 1b.