Braiding Capital like Sweetgrass: Indigenous Luncheon on Climate Finance and Reparations
What does it take to move from isolated investments to coordinated systems of capital that truly meet community needs?
The invitation-only luncheon will explore key insights from CAJF's new Integrated Capital Research Report, featuring case studies from Navajo Power and Oweesta on how braided, flexible capital strengthens community-led finance and expands pathways to long-term impact.
Building on the report's findings and participant questions, the conversation will examine one of the field's most pressing opportunities: the creation of pooled operating capital, loan funds, and shared capacity-building resources. As communities continue to face significant gaps in unrestricted funding, technical assistance, and planning support, coordinated funding strategies have the potential to unlock greater scale and sustainability.
We will discuss how funder networks, investors, and intermediaries can work together to develop these shared resource pools, the infrastructure needed to support them, and the role the T25 community can play in catalyzing partnerships that move these ideas from concept to reality.
Come ready to share your questions and insights on strategy, advocacy, and language. This 2-hour interactive session will include networking and the co-creation of actionable next steps. Together, we'll explore practical approaches to building more collaborative, responsive, and community-centered capital systems.
Confirmed Indigenous leaders and funds (more will be announced as they confirm)
Kim Pate, NDN Fund
Vanessa Roanhorse, Moonsoon Fund
Alexander Sterling, Turtle Island Community Capital
Alana Peterson & Kaylah Duncan, Spruce Root, Inc./Sea Coast Trust
Michael Cox and Josh Finn, Navajo Power
Casey Pearlman , Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation
Chrystel Cornelius, Oweesta Corporation
Stephen Nunes, Mission Driven Finance
*Please note this event is in-person (not virtual) and will be limited to 30 participants. Please confirm your attendance 3 days prior so we can open up spaces for those on the waitlist.
Catering services will be provided by Buffalo Jump NYC.
Co-sponsors