Since I was a young girl reading books such as Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown under my desk in a not-so-stimulating junior high school class, I have been engaged and inspired by the strength and cultural unity of the Native American community. Today, as a mother of two sons who are part Lakota Sioux I try to keep that pride and connection alive in my own family. This week, to honor this connection I am highlighting a funding source that supports local grassroots partnerships involving the Native American peoples.

This week’s pick: The Seva Foundation which assists Native American Communities in the United States that are working on their own solutions to “spiritual and cultural renewal, health and wellness, environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture and community and economic development, education and treaty rights protection.” Native America-led organizations whose projects or initiatives’ are in line with the above mentioned focus areas are eligible. The Seva Foundation provides resources to encourage people to find their own solutions to solving problems. Grants range from S500 to $5,000 and applications are reviewed quarterly. The next deadline for applications is January 26, 2007. A downloadable grant application can be found at their website at http://www.seva.org/communitygrants.php.