Native News Network

A note from the President

Cherokee High School Students Pilot InvestNative Website

A Season of Giving and Thoughtfulness for American Indian and Alaska Native Women

More Than Just a grant

Thanksgiving is a time when many of us sit down with our families, forgive or at least tolerate each others eccentricities and enjoy a big meal. And while it is difficult to ignore the truths of the first Thanksgiving and the mythology that has built up since, let's focus on the myth that we want to believe, that folks got together and shared a generous harvest. Read more...

Twenty-one Cherokee High School students participated in a unique pilot program in October by field testing a new online personal finance curriculum. Designed to educate Native youth on the benefits of building long-term wealth through investing, the www.InvestNative.org website was created in 2008 by First Nations Development Institute.  First Nations specifically selected Cherokee High School out of a multitude of reservation high schools to run their pilot. Cherokee High School Business Education Instructor, Sharon Bradley, hosted the week long project in her state-of-the-art computer equipped classroom. "First Nations chose our school both for our exceptional students and amazing high tech facilities. I'm very pleased to see how much enthusiasm our students have displayed for this exciting undertaking," stated Sharon Bradley. "Investing and personal finance can be tough topics for a young person to grasp, but our kids have stepped right up to the challenge. They're learning valuable skills while assisting with a very important nationwide initiative." Read more...

It is November, and as we prepare for the holiday season, we ask First Nations' friends and supporters to consider that some American Indian and Alaska Native women may not have a safe and joyous holiday season due to violence.  Why?  Alaska Native and American Indian women are more likely to experience sexual assault or domestic violence than any other ethnic or racial group in America.  Compound the stresses of the holidays, psychological, emotional, and physical abuse can be present or intensified during this time.  Read more...

This past October 20-22, 2009, 27 individuals from across Indian country gathered at the Longmont Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Colorado to attend the 2009 Native Youth and Culture Summit: Capacity Building and Sustainability.  These 27 people represented all 21 of this year's First Nations Development Institute's Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF) grantee organizations. Read more...