Flipping the script on Indigenous philanthropy

The head of the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples says funding to Indigenous peoples is minimal and more funding should be going to Indigenous-led organisations. 

A global donor affinity group is calling for greater philanthropic investment in Indigenous-led organisations to help them meet the needs of their communities.

Executive director at International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) Lourdes Inga told Pro Bono News at the Philanthropy Australia National Conference that funding to Indigenous peoples around the world is “minimal”.

IFIP is among voices calling for this to change, but Inga cautioned it’s important to understand the ecosystem in which these organisations operate.

“You have to fund the different organisations that are playing different roles. For instance in the global context, you have Indigenous networks that are working at a continental level that are taking the role of doing the political work in terms of fighting for rights and establishing policies that are favourable to Indigenous peoples,” she said.

“And then you have Indigenous organisations that are doing the everyday work, and then you have the Indigenous-led funds who are funding this type of work.

“Our call is to directly fund Indigenous-led funds but also to fund the ecosystem.”

Flipping the script

Inga was a guest on a panel discussing First Nations philanthropy at the Philanthropy Australia National Conference which discussed how the philanthropy sector can walk with First Nations communities.

Conference delegates heard that storytelling is key to speaking truths and building connections between the two parties on equal ground, and that Indigenous communities know what is needed to help their people.

In other words, it’s time to flip the script and step back to allow Indigenous-led organisations to lead change and share their knowledge of what works and what needs to be done.

Inga said those seeking to work with First Nations people need to understand the values that inform Indigenous communities: respect, reciprocity, responsibility and relationships.

In the context of philanthropy, Inga said the concept of relationships “goes to the very heart of getting to know the Indigenous organisation, doing the listening that is required and having the humility to acknowledge that you are also unlearning the practices that have been in place”.

Responsibility refers to the whole package; for example, the amount of money being donated to the community won’t mean much if it’s obtained from an investment that is negatively impacting Indigenous communities.

Reciprocity means acknowledging the knowledge held by Indigenous organisations, and respect refers to the trust needed to build long-term relationships with First Nations people, Inga said.

Understanding the long-term commitment needed is vital too, she added, as change doesn’t happen overnight. Long-term relationships are needed to see through the change that communities want to accomplish.

Importantly, Inga said support for Indigenous causes should be community-led.

“They’re responding to the needs of community members in their regions and their work is informed by what’s happening in the community.”