Investing in Native Communities

Learning Journey

November 11-12, 2019 | Santa Fe, New Mexico

Read highlights from this event on our blog:

Impact investors travel the world over in search of dealflow. And yet, too few explore the exciting partnership opportunities among our neighbors. Investing in Native American Communities, ripe for those looking for impact with a sustainability, social equity, or place-based lens, provide unique opportunities for long-term patient capital. The Rainmakers Collaborative, a working group at Confluence Philanthropy, has spent the past decade in dialogue and partnership with Tribal Leaders in a commitment to raise and deploy $4 million across New Mexico and Arizona. As part of our ten-year anniversary activities, we will host a Learning Journey in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico to share our journey and to encourage impact investors to collaborate with Tribal America.

As part of our strategy to address these barriers, and in partnership with local leaders and efforts, Confluence is organizing the Investing in Native Communities Learning Journey for interested investors on November 11-12, 2019 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This 1.5 day convening will bring together investors and Native leaders in a cross-learning environment that will include a learning trip to a local Pueblo.

Agenda

Day 1 | Monday, Nov 11

9:00am - 9:15am | Registration and Networking

9:15am - 9:30am | Welcome

Eva Schulte, Vice President for Economic Opportunity, Travois
Bill Smith, President & CEO, Santa Fe Community Foundation

9:30am - 10:00am | Introductions

10:00am - 10:30am | Presentation: Philanthropy and Funding for Native Communities

Dana Lanza, CEO, Confluence Philanthropy (facilitator)
Grace Sato, Director of Global Project and Partnerships, Candid

10:30am - 11:00am | Keynote

Janene Yazzie, Sustainable Development Program Coordinator, International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)

11:00am - 11:15am | Break

11:15am - 12:15pm| Teach In: Investing in Native Communities

Investing in Native Communities is uniquely different from investing in other sectors due to a variety of unique regulatory structures and cultural norms. A significant portion of the convening will share lessons learned and approaches that respectfully build partnerships with Tribal Peoples. Leaders of Native organizations and seasoned investors who possess an understanding of both investor expectations as well as the needs of Communities will lead these sessions.

Speakers:

Jim Enote, Director, Colorado Plateau Foundation (moderator)
Carla Fredericks, Director of the American Indian Law Clinic at the University of Colorado Law School and Director of First Peoples Worldwide
Alvin Warren, Program Officer, WK Kellogg Foundation

12:15pm - 1:15pm | Lunch

1:15pm - 2:15pm | Investor Experiences

During the convening, we will highlight the work of investors partnered with Native Communities who will share their investment strategies and unique learning journeys. We will also feature emerging asset managers from Native communities to demonstrate that Tribal communities are increasingly becoming asset owners and active investors.

Speakers:

Bill Smith, President and CEO, Santa Fe Community Foundation (moderator)
Jen Astone, Principal, Integrated Capital Investing
Martin Jennings, Program Officer, Northwest Area Foundation

2:15pm - 2:40pm | Break

2:40pm - 3:00pm | Welcome Afternoon Participants and Morning Debrief

Dana Lanza, CEO, Confluence Philanthropy

3:00pm - 4:15pm | The Spectrum of Opportunity: Investments in Indian Country

In this session we will dispel myths about the lack of investment opportunity in Native Communities. A diverse group of investment managers will join us to share their views about the opportunities for investment, their strategies, and vision for capitalized community development and social enterprise.

Speakers:

Vanessa Roanhorse, CEO, Roanhorse Consulting (moderator)
Dave Castillo, CEO, Native Community Capital
Tanksi Clairmont, Director, Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund
Nicolle Gonzales, Executive Director & Founder, Changing Woman Initiative
Eva Schulte, Vice President for Economic Opportunity, Travois

6:30pm - 8:30pm | Attendee Dinner

Day 2 | Tuesday, Nov 12

9:00am-4:00pm | Tesuque Pueblo Feast Day Celebration & Ohkay Owingeh Site Visit

Investors are invited to join us on Day Two to explore opportunities on the ground for learning and discussion. We are lucky enough to be in the area to participate in Tesuque Pueblo’s Feast Day Celebration, just outside Santa Fe. Join us to learn about Pueblo culture, arts, and music. We will also learn about some investing projects at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. For those heading on to SRI in the Rockies in Colorado Springs, or back to the East or West Coasts, we will conclude in time to catch evening flights out of Albuquerque.