#United States #Fellowship #Native Artists #First Peoples Fund #Rapid City, South Dakota

First Peoples Fund Announces 2025 Fellowship Recipients

The First Peoples Fund (FPF), a prominent organization committed to elevating Native American artists and cultural custodians, is excited to reveal its 2025 fellowship recipients. This year, the organization has selected 30 exceptional artists, distributing a total of $300,000 in funding provided through two distinct fellowship programs: the Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship and the Cultural Capital Fellowship.

With the inclusion of 19 artists in the Artist in Business Leadership (ABL) Fellowship and 11 in the Cultural Capital (CC) Fellowship, each recipient will receive a $10,000 award along with a year of professional development support. This increase in fellowship numbers marks a significant enhancement in the support FPF offers, further solidifying its commitment to nurturing the Indigenous Arts Ecology.

The Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship aims to empower independent Native artists by providing essential tools and resources to foster their creative practices into sustainable businesses. This is achieved through networking opportunities, training, and financial assistance, ensuring artists can thrive within their communities. In contrast, the Cultural Capital Fellowship focuses on artists who are dedicated to preserving and celebrating Indigenous cultural heritage, enabling them to continue their important work in maintaining cultural traditions for future generations.

Justin Kíí Huenemann (Diné), President and CEO of First Peoples Fund, expressed his pride in the diverse talent represented this year. "Native art thrives in countless forms, practices, and ideas. This year's cohort beautifully demonstrates that the artists themselves define Native art—and it is as powerful and diverse as they say it is. Each year, I am inspired by the talent and vision our fellows bring to the world. It's a true honor to support and uplift these artists, knowing their work will continue transforming their communities and inspiring future generations."

Since its inception, FPF has honored over 438 artists from 146 tribes across 30 states and two Canadian provinces through fellowship opportunities. In addition to the fellowships, FPF enhances the arts sector through workshops, community classes, youth programs, and partnerships, amassing over $10 million in funding since 1999 to advocate for Indigenous artists and their invaluable contributions.

The 2025 Artist in Business Leadership Fellows include:

• - Orlando Allison (Hopi, Gila River)
• - Kelly Back (Mohawks of Akwasasne)
• - Avis Charley (Spirit Lake Dakota, Diné)
• - Mariah Claw (Diné)
• - Alayna Eagle Shield (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Three Affiliated Tribes)
• - Leya Hale (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and Diné Nation)
• - Ray "Rocky Boy" Janis (Oglala Lakota)
• - Susan Jones (Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council)
• - Jaylee Lowe (Seminole and Muscogee)
• - LaShawn Medicine Horn (Yankton Sioux)
• - Jackie Fawn (Washoe of Nevada)
• - Kate Nelson (Tlingit)
• - Pamela J. Parker (Diné)
• - Margarita Paz-Pedro (Pueblo of Laguna)
• - Maya Peña (Santa Clara Pueblo)
• - Kenneth Shirley (Diné)
• - T.J. Keanu Tario (Native Hawaiian)
• - Maggie Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe)
• - Brittany Turner (Haliwa Saponi)

The 2025 Cultural Capital Fellows are:

• - Steven Arrowtopknot (Blackfeet Nation)
• - Kansas Begay (Diné)
• - Cecelia Bernice Bull Bear (Oglala Lakota)
• - Nikki Corbett (Orutsararmiut Native Council AK)
• - Kea Peters (Native Hawaiian)
• - Addelina Lucero (Taos Pueblo, Yaqui, Chicana)
• - Tiśina Ta-till-ium Parker (Yosemite Southern Sierra Miwuk, Kutzadika'a Mono Lake Paiute, Kashia Pomo, Coast Miwuk)
• - Dylan Sanidad (Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian)
• - Theresa Secord (Penobscot Nation)
• - Tash Terry (Diné)
• - Ahnawake Toyekoyah (Kiowa)

Support for the fellowships at First Peoples Fund comes from numerous foundations, including the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and the HRK Foundation among others.

To learn more about these talented recipients and how to support Indigenous arts, visit firstpeoplesfund.org.

In summary, the 2025 fellowship program by First Peoples Fund not only provides crucial financial assistance but also plays an instrumental role in fostering a thriving ecosystem for Native artists, ensuring that their cultural narratives continue to be told and celebrated across communities and generations.