$41M grants awarded to native communities, groups

A total of $41 million in Administration for Native Americans grants would be distributed to American Indian communities and organizations in 29 states, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

ANA awarded on Oct. 31 more than $17.2 million in grants to 85 tribes and American Indian organizations serving American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders of American Samoa. The remaining $24.1 million was awarded to continue multi-year projects by 105 grantees.

“These new grants illustrate our commitment in bringing new opportunities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders,” said George Sheldon, acting assistant secretary for children and families. “Our goal is to support thriving and self-sufficient communities. We will continue to support programs that create jobs and sustain a healthy environment for Native American children, youth and families.”

The awards include:

-Social and Economic Development Strategies grants designed to reduce dependency and strengthen communities through economic development by providing job training, encouraging financial literacy and asset building and promoting home ownership. The Native Asset Building Initiative project, a first-time funding opportunity offered through ANA and the Office of Community Services, is designed to increase access to and awareness of asset building opportunities for Native communities.

-Native Language Preservation and Maintenance grants for preserving Native language and culture. Programs include language curricula development and language education and certification to prospective teachers; language instruction for children, youth and adults, preschool through college; intergenerational mentoring activities involving youth and elders; language projects that continue the use of native languages and promote cultural awareness.

-Environmental Regulatory Enhancement grants that protect native environmental heritage and support restoration and preservation of natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.

ANA was established under the Native American Programs Act of 1974 and provides discretionary and competitive grant funding to assist in the planning, development, and implementation of short-term community-based projects (averaging one to three years) that result in social and economic benefits supporting healthy children, families and communities.[I] (ICTMN)[/I]