NASAA Announces New Resource on Native Community Connections

NASAA recently announced the release of a brand-new resource: Strengthening State Arts Agency Relationships with Native Communities. This toolkit is designed to help public arts agencies and arts nonprofits to deepen their connections with tribes and improve services for Native constituents.

While the primary focus of this report is on arts and culture, the key insights and action recommendations will be relevant to many types of partnerships and programs serving Native communities. Look inside for tips on topics like:

• honoring sovereignty,
• understanding the complexity of Indigenous identities,
• cultivating respectful and responsive relationships with tribes,
• earning trust,
• preventing fraud

NASAA’s work in this realm is guided by an Indigenous Circle of Advisors and informed by more than 70 interviews with tribal liaisons, Native nonprofits, elders, artists and culture bearers. NASAA is pleased to relay their experiences and elevate their voices through this project. The project was a result of the contributors who shared their expertise and the organizations that produced the resources recommended at the end of the report.

Contact information:

Kelly J. Barsdate (Kelly.Barsdate@nasaa-arts.org)