Indigenous-Led Grantmaking Empowering Visionary Indigenous Women-Led Initiatives

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Join Us for Summer Solstice 2022

In June 2022, we are bringing the 3rd Annual Summer Solstice to South Dakota; join us for 2.5 days in Rapid City, on Pine Ridge and in the Black Hills.

Activities include butchering a buffalo, attending a pow wow, descending into Wind Cave, learning Star Knowledge — and more!

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THE PROBLEM

The contributions of Indigenous women have not been visible or significantly included in contemporary social causes.

Even before this decade of Times Up, Me Too, Climate Crisis and the 100th Anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage, the contributions and struggles of Indigenous women and girls has not been visible or been significantly included in contemporary social causes and initiatives. Therefore, the solutions of and for Indigenous women and girls have not been present at the decision-making table.

Against this backdrop, this is the critical moment and opportunity to support an Indigenous Women-led organization, Return to the Heart Foundation, which is focused on uplifting initiatives to achieve long-term narrative change strategies from within social movements.

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*Return to the Heart Foundation is fiscally sponsored by Amalgamated Foundation.

WHAT WE DO

Our Focus Areas

Civic Engagement

History was made in 2019 with the first Native Women being elected to Congress, as State Representatives, and to local government in states and on the national level. Native people have been called the “sleeping giant” and our voices in many states could turn the elections, change America and even change the world.

Climate Justice

Indigenous Women have endured the violent impact of the fossil fuel industry and the Indigenous Women led organizations on the front lines need support now more than ever to continue their fight for their rights related to health, land, territory, culture, language, livelihoods, sovereignty, self-determination and development.

Narrative Change

Our voices, our stories, our narratives are only beginning to be heard. History is fraught with stereotypes, misinformation, and unacknowledged contributions and struggles of Native people, most especially Native women. Pocahontas is used as a racialized slur from the leader of America. This is unacceptable.

Restorative and Regenerative Development

Return to the Heart Foundation’s vision is to open doors that have never been opened to innovate and catalyze Native women-led economic and business activity by expanding access to capital, increasing asset development, and expanding local employment opportunities.

WHO WE ARE

Meet the Team

The co-founders are visionary Native women experienced in community bridge building, called to bring healing and action to native communities through their ancestral wisdom. They believe impact and cultural shifts come from a diversity of perspective and skill. This team holds unique expertise in advocacy, civic engagement, community development, healing, narrative change, philanthropy, strategic planning and leadership development.

Sarah Eagle Heart

Co-Founder/Co-CEO

ABOUT SARAH

Sarah is an Emmy-award winning social justice storyteller, non-profit leader, consultant, activist, author, media strategist, and producer focused on advocacy on behalf of Indigenous Peoples rooted worldview as an Oglala Lakota raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She is an internationally accomplished executive with a diverse background in tribal, corporate, and non-profit organizations. Ms. Eagle Heart is the former CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy. She has raised over $20M for native people. You can reach Sarah at sarah@return2heart.org.

Red Dawn Foster

Co-Founder/COO

ABOUT RED DAWN

Red Dawn is currently the South Dakota State Senator with over ten years of experience working with Tribal communities in economic development fields. Red Dawn is passionate about utilizing her education and experience to promote positive planning, design, and construction for the future growth and development of Tribal Nations. Red Dawn received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado and received her Master of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. You can reach Red Dawn at reddawn@return2heart.org.

Gina Jackson

Co-Founder/Co-CEO

ABOUT GINA

Gina Jackson, MSW is Western Shoshone and Oglala Lakota. She is a dreamer and a doer. She worked on groundbreaking Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Guidelines and Regulations then joined the Obama White House Community Solutions Team. She recently worked for Native Americans in Philanthropy bringing the Truth and Healing Movement to the philanthropic sector. She has 20 years experience encompassing state/tribal justice, collaboration, policy, and philanthropy. She is a connector, igniter, innovator, and equity builder to bring healing for our nation. You can reach Gina at gina@return2heart.org.

Staff & Advisory Committee
Kelly Drummer
Anita Fineday
Tenzin Seldon

Dollars Raised

Years of Bridge Building Experience

Tribal Community Building Experience

WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT

Our Unique Combination

50% Bridge Building and Storytelling

Our co-founders hold a unique vantage point in culture shift and narrative change strategies with philanthropy initiatives and influencers: Anne Hathaway, Dispatch, Indigenous Women Rise, John Legend, Mark Ruffalo, Portugal the Man, Mumford and Sons, Shailene Woodley, Taboo, Tonia Jo Hall, and Women’s March.

50% Community Building

Native women are the heart of our nations. In communities where women are supported children and families thrive. Entrepreneurial endeavors, new technology, innovative problem-solving, and community capital increases as women are invested in.

WHO WE WORK WITH