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Tribal Partnerships

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We want to hear your thoughts and concerns.

Partner with America250

America250 honors the unique government-to-government relationship between Tribal nations and the U.S. We are committed to partnering with Tribal nations, organizations, and communities to engage with America’s past, understand our present, and envision a future together. We want to work with you to directly shape our planning, events, and programming as we chart a roadmap to 2026.

The Seneca Rocks, a large crag and local landmark in Pendleton County in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia (it has a northern one, too). Especially in the days of family automobile excursions along two-lane U.S. highways in the mid-20th Century, this “natural wonder” was of the best-known scenic attractions in West Virginia.

America250 Tribal Partnerships

The 250th commemoration of the United States is a monumental initiative and opportunity. We want to engage all Americans in the largest and most inclusive commemoration of the founding of the United States in our history. Leading up to the commemoration, America250 will partner with Tribes, communities, states, federal agencies, nonprofit and private organizations, cultural and educational institutions, governments, and brands around the country and the world to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

America250 recognizes that every acre that shares a geography with the U.S. and each event in American history, including the American War of Independence, is deeply connected to Indigenous nations and communities. We want to partner with Tribal nations, Indigenous communities, and Native-led organizations to engage with America’s past, understand the present, and envision our future together. We invite you to join our growing network of partners on a culminating  journey to share untold stories, examine our past, and ignite a shared optimism for our future.

We want to hear your thoughts and concerns. Click here to take our survey.

Get Involved

  1. Work with Tribal leadership to nominate a representative from your nation to America250’s Tribal Advisory Group. 
  2. We want to hear from you, take our survey!
  3. Become an America250 partner!
  4. Email us with your ideas. We would love to connect. 
  5. Support our work to partner with Tribal nations and Indigenous communities. Donate now.

Staff

Andrei Jacobs, Senior Manager of Tribal Partnerships, tribal@america250.org

Our 2022 Tribal Engagement Strategy

  • Tribal Roundtables and Convenings: America250 will work to coordinate regional virtual and/or face-to-face convenings with Tribal representatives and organizations. These periodic convenings will invite participation and build relationships with Indigenous nations and communities through listening and learning how we can be a good partner in this commemoration. Anticipated kick off: 2022.
  • Tribal Advisory Group: A Tribal Advisory Group at America250, to be shaped and potentially renamed by its leadership, will be a crucial component to supporting Tribal engagement and participation and to inviting representatives to directly shape our programming and planning during our 2022 strategic planning effort and throughout the commemorative period. Anticipated kick off: Early 2022.
  • Programming Support: Programming support will be crucial to ensuring Tribal nations and Native-led organizations can shape how we honor our past 250 years and shape our next 250.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I participate, am I expected to celebrate? 

It is understandable that Tribes will not celebrate events that opened their homelands to occupation, loss of lands and cultures, oppression and genocide. What we can celebrate is Tribal culture and Tribes’ futures; major milestones in history for Indigenous nations and communities; and major wins in the fight for land, sovereignty, treaties, civil and social rights.

Is funding available?

America250 is at the first stages of strategic planning and working with states, towns, and Indigenous nations and communities to pitch commemorative programs. We will advocate to support Tribal programs in the public and private sector. Strong Tribal and Inter-Tribal resolutions demonstrating the value of programming and partnerships, offer best opportunities for fundraising and funding work in the Tribal commemoration space. We will update with potential funding opportunities at a later date.

Why is this important?

For some, America’s 250th anniversary will be a cause for celebration. For others, including many Indigenous people, it will also be an opportunity to reflect on the impacts of colonialism, legacies of violence, and historic and contemporary challenges. The relationship between the United States and Tribal nations is central to U.S. diplomacy, to our history, and to how we want to build our next 250 years. This commemoration is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share this history through our partnerships, boost contemporary Native voices, raise awareness about current challenges facing Native communities, and highlight the contributions of Native peoples past and present.

AIANTA [American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association] sees our partnership with the America250 Foundation as an important opportunity. 

Our Stories, our history, have not been fully told and shared. It is time for that to change.

Are you supporting non-federally recognized Tribes? If yes, how are you evaluating?

We are fully hoping to engage Tribes who are state recognized or who do not have state or federal recognition. Because we are working in support of a Federal commission, we are honoring the unique government-to-government relationship between the United States and federally-recognized Tribes. In February 2022, we sent a first round of invitations to participate in our Tribal Advisory Group electronically and by post to leaders of federally recognized Tribes. We are open to incorporating our commitment to all Indigenous communities and nations sharing a geography of the United States, and fully intend to engage through partnerships, and potentially expanding our Tribal Advisory Group. 

For more information, or further questions, please contact Andrei Jacobs, tribal@america250.org.