IN•DIG•E•NOUS EC•O•NOM•ICS
Empowering youth to lead the future through stewardship,
food sovereignty, and sustainability.
Our Mission
Our Programs
Our Programs
Our mission is to empower the next generation to lead the future through the enduring knowledge, values, and principles of Indigenous Economics. In a world increasingly defined by environmental challenges, inequality, and consumption, we offer young people another way forward, one rooted in relationships, responsibility, reciprocity, stew
Our mission is to empower the next generation to lead the future through the enduring knowledge, values, and principles of Indigenous Economics. In a world increasingly defined by environmental challenges, inequality, and consumption, we offer young people another way forward, one rooted in relationships, responsibility, reciprocity, stewardship, and purpose.
N. Scott Momaday wrote, “My blood is deep in that soil. I believe firmly in blood memory, a capacity for remembering things beyond our own corporeal existence.” We believe this memory lives within the next generation. This ability to remember, to draw upon knowledge that reaches beyond our own lives, may hold one of the keys not only to their future, but to all of ours.
By reconnecting young people with Indigenous knowledge and systems that have sustained lands, waters, cultures, and communities for thousands of years, we help transform perceptions of scarcity into ENOUGHNESS, a life grounded in relationship, purpose, values, and abundance. Through storytelling, film, food sovereignty, Indigenous governance, subsistence economies, and hands-on learning, young people explore a fundamental question: What is an economy for?
The future is now in the hands of the next generation. Our work helps them remember what has always been known, imagine what is possible, and build economies rooted in balance and harmony with Nature, economies that serve people and the planet while protecting what we leave for the next seven generations.
Since March of 2024, IN•DIG•E•NOUS EC•O•NOM•CS has directly supported over 1,000 Native students that have participated in our programs, representing over 30 different Tribes, Reservations, Alaska Villages and Urban Native communities across the country,
Our Programs
Our Programs
Our Programs
LEARNING THROUGH FILM: ENOUGHNESS: The Prequel
Using our award-winning animated film ENOUGHNESS: The Prequel, students explore What is an economy for? and how Indigenous knowledge connects economic choices to land, community, and future generations.
STORYTELLING THROUGH FOOD
A food sovereignty program connecting food to story, culture, lan
LEARNING THROUGH FILM: ENOUGHNESS: The Prequel
Using our award-winning animated film ENOUGHNESS: The Prequel, students explore What is an economy for? and how Indigenous knowledge connects economic choices to land, community, and future generations.
STORYTELLING THROUGH FOOD
A food sovereignty program connecting food to story, culture, land, and community. Through hands-on cooking, students explore traditional food systems, food justice, and environmental responsibility.
COLLEGE PREPARATION: THE WHOLE STUDENT
Students prepare for college by strengthening the “whole student”, academics, leadership, culture, community, creativity, and lived experience, while recognizing the unique knowledge and perspectives they already carry.
BUFFALO RESTORATION INITIATIVE
An immersive program exploring Buffalo restoration as a pathway to renew connections between people, animals, land, and culture while supporting environmental, cultural, and community healing.
Our Impact
Our Programs
Our Impact
MENTORSHIP & PEER LEARNING FOR OVER
1000+ STUDENTS
TRIBAL NATIONS REPRESENTED:
HOOPA, YUROK, KARUK, BEAR RIVER,
CHIMARIKO, WAILAKI, POMO, YUKI,
BLACKFEET, MIWOK, NORTHERN CHEYENNE, ARAPAHO,
SALISH, KOOTENAI, FLATHEAD, EASTERN
SHOSHONE CROW, HOPI, NAVAJO NATION,
NEZ PERCE, OGLALA SIOUX, UTE, STANDING
ROCK SIOUX, WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE, CHIRICAHUA AP
MENTORSHIP & PEER LEARNING FOR OVER
1000+ STUDENTS
TRIBAL NATIONS REPRESENTED:
HOOPA, YUROK, KARUK, BEAR RIVER,
CHIMARIKO, WAILAKI, POMO, YUKI,
BLACKFEET, MIWOK, NORTHERN CHEYENNE, ARAPAHO,
SALISH, KOOTENAI, FLATHEAD, EASTERN
SHOSHONE CROW, HOPI, NAVAJO NATION,
NEZ PERCE, OGLALA SIOUX, UTE, STANDING
ROCK SIOUX, WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE, CHIRICAHUA APACHE, MESCALERO APACHE, JICARILLA APACHE, LIPAN APACHE,
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN, PUYALLUP,
SUQUAMISH, LUMMI, PUEBLO’S OF TAOS,
ACOMA, SAN FELIPE AND ZUNI.
OUR AWARD WINNING FILM ENOUGHNESS HAS BEEN SCREENED IN 7 COUNTRIES ACCEPTED IN 25 FILM FESTIVALS
AND HAS OVER A HALF A MILLION IMPRESSIONS ONLINE
Collaborators
La Plazita Institute
Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute
La Plazita Institute
La Plazita Institute, Inc. (LPI) mission is using a comprehensive, holistic and cultural approach designed around the philosophy of “La Cultura Cura”, to engage with youth, elders and communities to draw from their own roots and histories that will express core traditional values of respect, honor, love, and family.
Cal Poly Humboldt
Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute
La Plazita Institute
Native American Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt is more than an academic discipline. We're a continuation of Indigenous knowledge from time immemorial, presenting a depth of Native American experience from a distinctly tribal perspective. As the first CSU campus to offer a baccalaureate degree in Native American Studies, and still the only p
Native American Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt is more than an academic discipline. We're a continuation of Indigenous knowledge from time immemorial, presenting a depth of Native American experience from a distinctly tribal perspective. As the first CSU campus to offer a baccalaureate degree in Native American Studies, and still the only program of its kind in the CSU, NAS continues to develop as a stand-alone department, with active input from tribes.
Cal Poly Humboldt is not only a proven leader in serving Native American students in California, but our broad program appeals to non-Native students who are passionate about issues of social justice, sustainable living and natural resource management.
Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute
Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute
Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute
The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab at Cal Poly Humboldt is dedicated to revitalizing Indigenous food systems and fostering community-based food sovereignty through hands-on learning, research, and collaboration. By honoring traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices, the lab offers students and local communities a space to
The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab at Cal Poly Humboldt is dedicated to revitalizing Indigenous food systems and fostering community-based food sovereignty through hands-on learning, research, and collaboration. By honoring traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices, the lab offers students and local communities a space to engage in projects that promote food justice and sustainability. Rooted in Indigenous teachings, our work strengthens the connections between land, culture, and food.
"Empowering communities through Indigenous Traditional Knowledge”
University of Wyoming
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University
The Native American Education, Research & Cultural Center (NAERCC) at the University of Wyoming is committed to building community, offering support and addressing the unique needs of UW’s Indigenous students.
As more Native American students choose to pursue higher education at the University of Wyoming, the NAERCC has worked to ensure t
The Native American Education, Research & Cultural Center (NAERCC) at the University of Wyoming is committed to building community, offering support and addressing the unique needs of UW’s Indigenous students.
As more Native American students choose to pursue higher education at the University of Wyoming, the NAERCC has worked to ensure that the necessary resources and support systems are in place to help these students thrive. Our services, tailored specifically for Native students, include academic support, cultural enrichment and opportunities for involvement in student organizations, internships, leadership roles and more!
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University
The American Indian Program (AIP) offers guidance, academic advising, scholarship opportunities, employer recruiting visits, computer and social spaces, library resources, and referrals to other campus services that promote student success. Our purpose is to recruit, retain, and graduate American Indian students, and we are committed to s
The American Indian Program (AIP) offers guidance, academic advising, scholarship opportunities, employer recruiting visits, computer and social spaces, library resources, and referrals to other campus services that promote student success. Our purpose is to recruit, retain, and graduate American Indian students, and we are committed to supporting them personally and academically as they work toward their post-secondary goals. Our vision is that all American Indian graduates are self-actualized, successful, and serve as role models and contributing members to their communities and beyond.
TWO FEATHERS
New Mexico State University
TWO FEATHERS
Two Feathers' mission is to empower Native American youth and their families to achieve their full potential by offering culturally-affirming mental health and wellness programs in Humboldt County.
Who We Are
Rebecca Adamson
Rebecca Adamson
Rebecca Adamson
Indigenous Economist of Cherokee Descent. Rebecca Adamson’s career spans a lifetime at the intersection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, values, and innovative economic and financial models—from an Indian rights activist jailed while fighting for Indian-controlled schools to her current role as Advisor to Wharton’s Impact, Value, and Sustai
Indigenous Economist of Cherokee Descent. Rebecca Adamson’s career spans a lifetime at the intersection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, values, and innovative economic and financial models—from an Indian rights activist jailed while fighting for Indian-controlled schools to her current role as Advisor to Wharton’s Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative. She founded First Nations Development Institute and First Peoples Worldwide, created the Lakota Fund—the first Native microloan fund in the United States—and helped pioneer CDFIs, impact investing, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights investment criteria. Her work has advanced Indigenous shareholder advocacy globally, including the Standing Rock/Dakota Access Pipeline campaign, and she has advised major corporations and investors on Indigenous rights, financial risk, and the energy transition. An award-winning author and internationally recognized social entrepreneur, Adamson is also the creator of the award-winning animated film ENOUGHNESS: The Prequel.
Chris Eyre
Rebecca Adamson
Rebecca Adamson
Chris Eyre is an acclaimed Native American filmmaker and enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. His landmark film Smoke Signals (1998) won both the Filmmakers Trophy and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and helped transform the representation of contemporary Native people in American cinema. His directing credits
Chris Eyre is an acclaimed Native American filmmaker and enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. His landmark film Smoke Signals (1998) won both the Filmmakers Trophy and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and helped transform the representation of contemporary Native people in American cinema. His directing credits include Skins, PBS adaptations of Tony Hillerman’s Skinwalkers and A Thief of Time, and the acclaimed television series Dark Winds. Throughout his career, Eyre has been a leading voice in Native filmmaking, bringing authentic, contemporary Indigenous stories to film and television.
Lonnie Anderson
Rebecca Adamson
Lonnie Anderson
Lonnie Anderson is Jicarilla Apache, Mexhika, and Chichimeca from New Mexico, whose work brings together film, art, education, and community engagement. He served as an executive producer of The Seventh Fire, working with Natalie Portman and Terrence Malick on the acclaimed documentary examining Native American gangs, which was screened a
Lonnie Anderson is Jicarilla Apache, Mexhika, and Chichimeca from New Mexico, whose work brings together film, art, education, and community engagement. He served as an executive producer of The Seventh Fire, working with Natalie Portman and Terrence Malick on the acclaimed documentary examining Native American gangs, which was screened at the White House during the Obama administration. His collaborations include Spike Lee, poet and filmmaker Jimmy Santiago Baca, American Indian Movement founders Dennis Banks and Russell Means, United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, and international artist and peace activist Lily Yeh. Anderson’s work and creative life have been featured in The New York Times, NBC’s Today, and Grazia magazine in Dubai.
Tantoo Cardinal
Rebecca Adamson
Lonnie Anderson
Tantoo Cardinal (Cree and Métis) is a renowned Canadian actress whose groundbreaking career spans more than five decades. She has appeared in more than 130 film and television productions, helping transform Indigenous representation in Canada and Hollywood. Her work brings together storytelling, cultural wisdom, resilience, environmental
Tantoo Cardinal (Cree and Métis) is a renowned Canadian actress whose groundbreaking career spans more than five decades. She has appeared in more than 130 film and television productions, helping transform Indigenous representation in Canada and Hollywood. Her work brings together storytelling, cultural wisdom, resilience, environmental advocacy, and a lifelong commitment to Indigenous voices. Through her art and leadership, Cardinal continues to advance truth, reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures.