Support the Self-Determination of Native Nations

Twenty-three federally recognized sovereign Native nations exist in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. We have included a list of these nations on our website, along with interactive maps that show where these Native nations are.
 

Goal: By 2018, all 23 Native nations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are exercising self-determination and actively rebuilding the infrastructure of nationhood.
Why We Chose This Goal
	Twenty-three distinct, sovereign Native nations exist in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. These culturally distinct nations have rich histories and deep strengths. They also face unique challenges.
	Research coming from Native nations is clear. When it comes to solving core issues, nation building is the only thing proven to work.1
	For Native nations, progress is greatest wherever self-determination comes first. Leaders of these nations will be the ones to lead the change. The solutions will come from within. We want to collaborate with Native nations as the sovereign and distinct governments that they are, supporting emerging and current leaders in using their authority to establish or rebuild institutions of nationhood that work for them.

Our Approach
The ways to achieve this goal need to be discovered. They cannot be imposed. For that reason, our strategies focus solely on collaboration, as Native leaders seek to rebuild the structures of nationhood. While specific initiatives will emerge, we have one priority to start
	Launch a Native Nation Building Collaborative
	o	This collaborative will be a Native-led effort. It will create the forum by which the discovery process can occur. We will follow the lead of respected Native leaders as we partner with them to achieve this goal. The Collaborative will also define priorities and begin engaging individual tribal leaders in next steps.
Future Partnerships
Based on the input from the Native Nation Building Collaborative, other tribal leaders, partner organizations and trusted resources may be engaged to help provide the research and tools required.

Learn about our goals ...
 
Letter from the President
Develop Courageous Leaders and Engage Entire Communities in Solving Problems
Support the Self-Determination of Native Nations
Increase Educational Achievement

If you have a specific question, email us at newdirection@bushfoundation.org.