First Nations Development Institute

To further invest in Native stewardship that will, in turn, promote biodiversity and restore watershed health, First Nations is supporting multiple tribes and Native-led organizations through the Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions project. The 2026 grantees (announcement coming soon!) will be focused on strengthening tribal efforts within the Colorado River Basin, building adaptive capacity and advancing community-based watershed restoration efforts.

The Colorado River headwaters are in Rocky Mountain National Park, and the river flows through seven states until it ends at the Gulf of California (if it reaches that far). These seven states rely on the Colorado River for agricultural and municipal uses. With this year being the worst for Colorado snowpack in recorded history, there is an increased need to address water management and conservation in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
➡️ Read more in High Country News: https://bit.ly/4uHBqpP

In a 2025 proclamation to work together to protect the Colorado River, Chairwoman Amelia Flores of First Nations community partner Colorado River Indian Tribes, said, “All of us who live in Arizona, Native and non-Native alike, are connected by water, for without water, there is no life. And it is that common thread that binds us, which has us here today, pledging to work together for the greater good of all who live in Arizona.”
➡️ Read more: https://bit.ly/43fpL5w

📷: Know Your Water News

REMINDER: Apply Now for Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments Scholarship

First Nations’ Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments Scholarships support Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students to ultimately better assist their communities with their food systems efforts. Again this year, First Nations will award 20 to 25 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to $1,500 each for the 2026-2027 academic school year to Native college or university students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields.

➡️ Learn more and apply by Tuesday, June 16, 2026: https://bit.ly/4dKjfd5

💬 Tag someone in the comments to share this scholarship opportunity!

📣 Application Now Open for Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship 📣

First Nations’ Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments Scholarships support Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian college students to ultimately better assist their communities with their food systems efforts. Again this year, First Nations will award 20 to 25 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to $1,500 each for the 2026-2027 academic school year to Native college or university students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields.

➡️ Learn more and apply by Tuesday, June 16, 2026: https://bit.ly/4nTcfxX