First Nations Selects 6th Cohort of Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship, Advancing Work in Native Language, Arts, Food Systems, and Beyond

News-LONGMONT, Colo. (July 2, 2025)

LONGMONT, Colo. (July 2, 2025) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has announced the 10 Native American leaders selected for the 2025 cohort of the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship.

Facilitated by First Nations and the Henry Luce Foundation (Luce Foundation), the fellowship supports exceptional leaders, knowledge holders, and knowledge makers who are doing noteworthy work to advance Indigenous knowledge and knowledge systems in diverse fields. By supporting the creativity, and progressive and critical thinking of knowledge holders and knowledge makers, the fellowship is growing a cadre of Indigenous knowledge leaders who are actively working to perpetuate Indigenous knowledge and knowledge systems for the benefit of Native communities.

Selected fellows receive a monetary award of $75,000 and access to additional resources for training and professional development. They also commit to convening three times during the first year of the two-year fellowship to share and grow their knowledge, projects, and drive to achieve their personal and community goals.

First Nations President and CEO Michael Roberts said the fellowship acknowledges, celebrates, and amplifies Native knowledge – for the good of not only Native communities but all of society. “This year’s cohort brings expertise across Native language, art, and craftsmanship to benefit birth work, environmentalism, food security, and more. The growing network of Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellows overall underscores the importance and effectiveness of upholding and investing in traditional knowledge,” he said.

Raymond Foxworth, Ph.D., Program Director for Indigenous Knowledge at the Henry Luce Foundation, said, “The Foundation is honored to support the fellowship program and these remarkable knowledge leaders who are doing important work to advance Indigenous knowledge systems and self-determination for the benefit of their communities.”

The 2025 cohort of Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellows was selected by an Indigenous advisory committee. The cohort marks the sixth year of the fellowship, which launched in 2020. The 10 fellows were selected from 236 applicants in a competitive, two-phase application, peer-reviewed process.

The 2025 Luce Indigenous Knowledge fellows are:

Abra Nungasuk Patkotak, IñupiaqKnowledge Field: Iñupiaq Birthworker and Student Midwife  

Nungasuk Patkotak will work to deepen her ability to further learn Iñupiaq birthing practices, and create lasting change for birth work and Iñupiaq traditional birth knowledge across Alaska and beyond. She will offer prenatal care to Iñupiat families from her home community of Utqiaġvik and the North Slope communities of Alaska, as well as share her knowledge at the Iñupiaq Birth and Birthworker Summit held in Utqiaġvik.

Chato Gonzalez, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe, WisconsinKnowledge Field: Language Warrior  

Gonzalez will continue to enhance Ojibwe Language revitalization work, continuing his doctoral studies at the University of Hawaii Hilo in the Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization program. He will create a body of language documentation with first language speakers of Ojibwe as an accessible resource for language learners.

Denise Davis Matejkova, Mountain Maidu, Pit RiverKnowledge Field: Artist, Basket Weaver, Designer  

Davis Matejkova will share her knowledge in basket weaving information and techniques, creating long-lasting connections and a network of support. She will host public presentations for communities and teach the basics of proper care for materials.

Gordon Umialiloalahanauokalakaua King Kai, Kanaka o IwiKnowledge Field: Traditional Implement Maker  

Umialiloalahanauokalakaua King Kai will teach the next generations of Hawaiian traditional implement makers, expanding the number and reach of workshops that range from traditional weapons, food preparation, hula, fishing, Kapa, Lauhala, and more.

Herb Lee, Jr., HawaiianKnowledge Field: Cultural Steward/Educator 

Lee Jr. will continue work in the restoration and revitalization of a 400-year old ancient Hawaiian fishpond. He will apply ancient wisdom across the generations, embracing new extant knowledge to solve issues around water quality, food security, and more.

Lynn Mad Plume, Ph.D., Amskapi Piikani-Blackfeet NationKnowledge Field: Indigenous Horsemanship Practitioner and Indigenous Health Theorist  

Dr. Mad Plume will continue preserving and revitalizing Indigenous horsemanship. She will build ancestral knowledge with modern therapeutic practices, creating spaces for healing and growth. Dr. Mad Plume will expand the work of Two Powers Land Collective and further develop the Ponokamiita Academy. She will also host the first-ever global gathering of Traditional Indigenous Horsemanship Practitioners, with the goal of establishing the International Council of Indigenous Horse People.

Natasha Smoke Santiago, Akwesasne Mohawk NationKnowledge Field: Traditional Potter/ Artist  

One of three traditional potters from her community of Akwesasne, Smoke Santiago will revitalize Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse) Pottery. She will build a studio to be a community gathering space where she will host workshops, events, and activities, networking with Indigenous chefs and seed keepers.

Roxanne Swentzell, Santa Clara PuebloKnowledge Field: Artist/builder/farmer  

Swentzell will share her permaculture knowledge. She will build a retreat center in Abiquiu, New Mexico, to express her creativity in a unique and environmentally aware place for people to gather and practice reverence.

Shodzi’dzo:wa:’ (Damian Webster), Tonawanda Seneca NationKnowledge Field: Language Director, Instructor, Curriculum Developer  

Shodzi’dzo:wa:’ will produce more language videos, media, and materials for language learners. He will plan a Seneca Language Bowl, along with other engaging activities that make language accessible. His goal is to engage new teachers and speakers, and work on a local, regional, and national level to evolve existing language curriculum and best practices.

Valerie Shirley, DinéKnowledge Field: Associate Professor of Indigenous Education and Co-director, Indigenous Teacher Education Program  

Shirley will work with Indigenous educators and knowledge holders to advance Indigenous sovereignty through the development of Indigenous curriculum. She plans to engage five Indigenous teacher education program teachers and five culture and language mentors in the process of co-developing critical Indigenous curriculum that is justice-centered and rooted in Indigenous knowledge, values, and languages.

Honorable Mentions Recognized  

With support from the Henry Luce Foundation, First Nations also awarded honorable mentions to 15 candidates who demonstrated a strong commitment to generate, perpetuate and disseminate Indigenous knowledge.

The 2025 Fellowship Honorable Mentions and knowledge fields are:

• Ian Skorodin, Choctaw, Media

• Jackie Bread, Blackfeet, Photorealistic Breadwork

• John Keone Nunes, Hawaiian, Traditional Tattooing

• Jill Q. Benavente, Chamoru/Guahan, Body Ornamentation Carving

• Kathryn Pewenofkit Briner, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Language Revitalization 

• Leilehua Lanzilotti, Kanaka Maoli, Music

• Lisa Morehead-Hillman, Karuk, Basketweaving

• Lucille R Contreras, Lipan Apache, Regenerative Agriculture and Bison Conservation

• Nipinet (Rachel) Landsem, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Descendant, Manitoba Métis Federation, Tattooing

• Phillip Whiteman Jr., Cheyenne, Indigenous Knowledge

• Rachel Kruse, Native Hawaiian, Health and Healing

• Radley Davis, Pit River, Health & Wellness, Culture & Traditions

• Shiloh Maples, Little River Band of Ottawa, Indigenous Food Systems and Seed Rematriation

• skybird woman blackowl booth, Sicangu Lakota, Traditional Indigenous Community Midwifery and Womb Sovereignty

• Stephanie Craig, Grand Ronde, Traditional Basketry of Western Oregon Tribes

About the Henry Luce Foundation

The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to enrich public discourse by promoting innovative scholarship, cultivating new leaders, and fostering international understanding. The foundation advances its mission through grantmaking and leadership programs in the fields of Asia, higher education, religion and theology, art and public policy.

Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc., the foundation’s earliest work honored his parents, missionary educators in China. The foundation’s programs today reflect the value Mr. Luce placed on learning, leadership, and long-term commitment in philanthropy.

The Henry Luce Foundation is a private independent foundation based in New York City.

About First Nations Development Institute

Founded in 1980, First Nations works to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing. Through mid-year 2024, we have successfully managed 3,473 grants totaling $85 million to Native American projects and organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa. We envision a world in which Tribal Sovereignty is upheld, and Native ingenuity and knowledge are honored and respected. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.