First Peoples Fund Announces 2025 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award Honorees, Celebrating Indigenous Artists with $250,000 in Support

RAPID CITY, S.D., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Peoples Fund, the nation's leading organization dedicated to uplifting Native American artists and culture bearers, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards (CSA). This year, five outstanding individuals from diverse Indigenous communities have been selected to receive $50,000 unrestricted cash awards, empowering them to continue their transformative cultural work and contributions to Indigenous communities nationwide. We are thrilled to provide over $250,000 this year to support the vital work of these remarkable culture bearers, who exemplify a lifelong commitment to their creative practice and their communities.

• Silver Galleto (Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians) of Windsor, CA
• Terrill Goseyun (San Carlos Apache) of Bylas, AZ
• Janie Luster (United Houma Nation) of Theriot, LA
• Julia Marden (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head - Aquinnah) of South Ryegate, VT
• Sonya Moody-Jurado (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians) of Salem, OR
• Lisa Morehead-Hillman (Karuk, Yurok) of Orleans, CA

The Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award, named in honor of First Peoples Fund's founding donor, recognizes extraordinary Native artists who embody cultural generosity and use their ancestral knowledge and artistic talents to uplift their communities. Nominated by peers, students, and community members, these honorees demonstrate unwavering dedication to preserving and advancing Indigenous traditions and cultural vitality. 

Justin Kíí Huenemann (Diné), President and CEO of First Peoples Fund, reflects on the organization's unwavering commitment: "Uplifting and honoring our ancestral knowledge and practices through Native culture bearers has always been at the heart of our work. There is no doubt about the profound importance of Indigenous knowledge and practices in shaping and sustaining our world." He enthusiastically adds, "I am thrilled for everyone to witness once again how these extraordinary culture-bearers keep ancestral knowledge and practices vibrant and thriving." 

Since its founding, First Peoples Fund has honored over 438 artists from 146 tribes across 30 states and two Canadian provinces. With over $10 million distributed since 1999, FPF uplifts Indigenous artists through fellowships, grants, workshops, and community programs. The 2025 Community Spirit Award honorees showcase the transformative power of supporting Indigenous artistry. Celebrate their incredible achievements and explore how you can help preserve Indigenous arts for future generations. Visit firstpeoplesfund.org to share their inspiring stories and support these cultural champions. 

The First Peoples Fund Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards were made possible through funding and support from the HRK Foundation, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropic Foundation, and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.

Learn more at firstpeoplesfund.org.

Heidi Brandow, Associate Director of Communications 
605-215-1088 | [email protected] 

SOURCE First Peoples Fund