Prospecting in Indian Country: A Longitudinal Understanding of Tribal Nations in Research

Tribal nations in the US have long been misunderstood by the general public, so it's no great surprise that myths and questions persist even in the world of philanthropic fundraising. With 574 federally recognized tribes spread throughout the country, tribal nations constitute an overlooked and underutilized prospecting pool for institutional partnership and fundraising. From strategies to identify tribal philanthropic interests and giving capacity to historical and ethical considerations when working with tribes, this session will empower researchers and position institutions to better navigate relationships and fundraising with tribal nations in the US. Drawing upon the presenter's insights as an Osage tribal citizen and the University of Oklahoma Foundation's long-standing relationships with tribal nations in Oklahoma, attendees will learn about historical and contemporary tribal-federal relations that have economically positioned tribes where they are today, unique legal and business phenomenon that can be leveraged to identify tribal wealth and philanthropic indicators, and ethical and cultural factors that may illuminate pathways to connecting with tribes.