Native American Grants

There are an abundant number of Nativeresearch for you for a fee. You can write to the
American grants available for registered AmericanBoard of Certification of Genealogists or the
Indian tribal members and Alaskan and HawaiianAssociation of Professional Genealogists and
natives. There are Native American grants forrequest their listings of genealogical researchers
education, housing, caring for elderly tribalfor hire.
members, cultural renewal, environmentalWhen searching online you'll be astonished at the
protection, and tribal economic development. Andamount of grants out there (just use 'Native
that's just the tip of the ice burg! However, justAmerican Grants' as your key word on my
because funds are available in all of these areaswebsite). For example, the Native American
and more, one must not get the impression thatHousing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of
the money is easily won. Receiving Native1966 created a block grant that gives money
American grants is a competitive procedure andannually to low-income Native Americans and
that requires persistence and research. MyAlaskan natives to help with housing needs. The
website at the bottom of this article will give youmoney is awarded to tribes and Alaskan villages
all the information you need to get a hold of one.who in turn manage the money and distribute it in
One of the first steps of applying to almost allthe way that best fits the needs of their individual
Native American grants is proving that you are acommunity. The U.S. Department of Housing and
registered member of a federally recognized tribe.Urban Development (HUD) also has home
It is important to get this underway as soon asownership and housing rehabilitation opportunities
possible. To determine if you are eligible for tribalavailable specifically for Native Americans.
membership you should contact your ancestralOne interesting resource is the Seva Foundation,
tribe. Individual tribes determine tribal membership.which awards grant money anywhere between
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Leaders$500-$5,000, for grass roots, native people
Directory lists all federally recognized tribes, asinitiated programs which may be overlooked by
well as contact information for local tribal leadersthe larger foundations. Seva awards $50,000 a
and BIA offices. Other avenues for tracing youryear in small grants to urban and rural
Native American heritage include searching homecommunities in the United States. Because of
records, using internet search engines, andSeva's strong belief in the importance of
checking local and state record keeping offices.self-reliance and self-determination only Native led
Talk to your older relatives and try to find birthand initiated projects are accepted. The beauty of
and death certificates, marriage licenses, diaries,these grants is that they allow for a lot of
newspaper clippings, etc. Check school, church andcreativity and originality.
county courthouse records for information - alsoAnother great resource is CodeTalk, which is a
look for deeds, wills, land or other propertyfederal, interagency, Native American website
conveyances. You can also write to the Bureau ofdesigned specifically to deliver electronic
Vital Statistics for information. Another options isinformation from government agencies and other
employing a professional genealogist to do theorganizations to Native American communities.