New date: Thursday, September 25, 2025, 6:00–7:30 pm PDT
Where: Online
RSVP: https://events.humanitix.com/nations-vs-nonprofits
What is Nations vs. Nonprofits?
Many well-meaning allies want to stand with Indigenous people but struggle to know where their support should go. Some organizations present themselves as “tribes” when they are actually nonprofits or corporations, and the difference is often unclear to the public. This confusion can leave allies uncertain, hesitant, or worried about making the wrong choice.
Nations vs. Nonprofits: How Well-Meaning Allies Can Tell the Difference is a live online presentation designed to answer those questions. Together we will explore:
- What the word “tribe” really means, including its colonial baggage and its current legal meaning.
- How sovereign Native nations differ from cultural groups, nonprofits, or incorporated organizations.
- Case studies where corporations claimed to be tribes, and what happened when they were exposed.
- Clear red flags and a practical checklist you can use to evaluate organizations that ask for your support.
This seminar will help you gain confidence in understanding the difference between Indigenous nations and nonprofits, so you can make informed decisions about where to place your energy, trust, and resources.
If you are committed to Indigenous justice, reparative giving, or building respectful partnerships, this presentation offers a vital foundation. You will leave with tools, knowledge, and clarity that empower you to support Native communities with confidence and care.
What we cover
- Intro
- What You’ll Learn today
- Alameda Native History Project
- What is a “Tribe”?
- Federal Tribal Recognition
- State Tribal Recognition
- Resolutions vs Recognition
- Unrecognized Tribes
- Tribal Corporations
- Corporations Are Not Tribes
- Case Studies
- 1: Cherokee Nation Impersonation
- 2: Kaweah Nation Fraud and Conviction
- Confederations, Federations, and Unions
- Q&A
- Sources & References
Why it matters
Tribes are sovereign governments. Corporations are tools of those governments, not replacements. Unrecognized does not mean fake; real communities can show continuity, descent, and governance. Understanding the difference protects Indigenous identity and public trust.
Who should attend
Allies; funders and fiscal sponsors; nonprofit and agency staff; educators; reporters and editors; anyone responsible for partnerships, grants, or public statements.
What you will leave with
- A clear test for recognition and legitimacy.
- A checklist of documents to request and verify.
- Practical language to decline risky partnerships.
- Paths to support Tribal sovereignty with integrity.
Presented by
Alameda Native History Project. Founded and run by Gabriel Duncan. Our work centers tangible Tribal benefit, accurate representation, and the reopening of Indigenous foodways.
Register
Save your spot:
https://events.humanitix.com/nations-vs-nonprofits
Ticket Tiers
Choose from one of three tiers:
| Community ($20) Accessible rate for those who need it. Full access to the live webinar and materials. | Supporter ($40) Standard rate. Covers your seat and helps sustain the work that makes webinars like this possible. | Sustainer ($75) Higher-capacity rate. Helps keep this webinar accessible for others and supports the creation of future sessions. |