2011 Outstanding Philanthropist Awards

We honor the Native tradition of giving each year by recognizing outstanding philanthropists within Indian Country.

Tribe: The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe

Snoqualmie Tribal Health Services Hospital Project

The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe entered into an agreement with King County Hospital District No. 4 to acquire the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and the forty plus acre parcel upon which the hospital is located. The goal and vision of the Tribe is to convert the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital into a culturally relevant regional health care center for the Native Population here in the Northwest. The Tribe will work collaboratively with the existing hospital that is building a new facility to serve the non native population and share resources to achieve economies of scale to attract specialists. The Hospital Campus will be further developed to provide additional facilities for services and research to create a fully integrated health and wellness center that will be a best in class, internationally unique medical home for the Snoqualmie people and the Native population of the Pacific Northwest. To date the Tribe has invested $5,000,000 in this project and is looking at full development within a decade without public/private support or partnerships due to the downturn in the economy and revised and reduced casino revenue that has lengthened the development period for this tribal vision.

Native Foundation: First Nations Development Institute

Founded in 1980, First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is a national American-Indian led nonprofit organization that works to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own - be it land, human potential, cultural heritage, or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native communities. First Nations serves rural and reservation based Native American communities throughout the U.S.

For more than thirty years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Native communities, First Nations Development Institute is dedicated to strengthening Native American economies. First Nations serves rural and reservation-based Native communities throughout the United States.

We believe that when armed with the appropriate resources, Native peoples hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual and cultural well-being of their communities.

With the support of individuals, foundations, corporate and Tribal donors, First Nations Development Institute improves economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance & training, advocacy & policy, and direct financial grants in five key areas:

- Financial & Investor Education - Native American Business & Asset Development

- Combating Predatory Lending - Strengthening Native American Nonprofits

- Native Foods & Health

We invest in and create innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities.

Non-Native Foundation: Marguerite Casey Foundation

Marguerite Casey Foundation believes in movement building as a means for poor and low-income families to make their voices heard in the public policymaking process. The foundation makes grants to organizations working with family constituencies in advocacy and organizing for public policy change, leadership development and cross-sector collaboration.

The foundation has always strived to support Native American communities. Early in its development, Marguerite Casey Foundation met with representatives from Native communities to listen and learn about the communities’ unique challenges and opportunities. Those meetings continue to inform the foundation’s grantmaking work, particularly as it relates to supporting Native organizations. Since its inception, the foundation has proudly invested more than $7 million in Native nonprofit organizations.

Earlier this year, Marguerite Casey Foundation hosted a second convening of Native leaders and resource people who hold positions in nonprofit organizations, foundations, Tribal government and the private sector. At the meeting, we discussed our progress together in movement building, reflecting on the growth of infrastructure and networks needed to support and nurture a movement.

Marguerite Casey Foundation places high value on its relationships in Indian Country, and specifically with the Potlatch Fund here in Washington state. We look forward to lasting partnerships with Native American communities.

Individual Philanthropist: Patricia Baillargeon

For the past year and a half, Pat has served on the Board of the new Suquamish Museum. A long held Tribal goal, the Museum is the last major component of the wonderful cultural resurgence in Suquamish. Opening in early September, 2012, it will house significant archives and artifacts and portray the long history and past and contemporary culture of the Suquamish people.

A lifelong interest in Northwest Coast Indian culture has taken Pat to many of the Coastal villages and First Nations communities, and also led to volunteering at the Ozette archaeological site - and subsequently as a member of the Advisory Board for the Makah Cultural & Research Center. In the 1970’s, Pat was a volunteer for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation at the time Daybreak Star was being built to house new programs for urban Indians in Seattle.

A member of the Burke Museum Board for many years, Pat now serves on its Advisory Council. As Arts columnist for the former Pacific Search magazine, her articles routinely featured regional Indian arts. Her career in international trade involved extensive time in Asia, and in 1979 she organized the first exhibition of Washington State Indian culture shown in Japan.

Pat continues to be deeply appreciative of the warmth and generosity shown her by the Tribes with whom she has worked. As with the other awardees we are honored that Pat is able to accept this award.