Soul of Nations Foundation

Indigenous International

Indigenous International is the umbrella program created through Soul of Nations’ Indigenous Arts Expansion Initiative which is aimed to help connect Native American youth with boundary-pushing cultural and artistic experiences around the world.

When the Soul of Nations Foundation first entered into the world of philanthropy, the majority of our programmatic work was place-based in a small town called Gallup, New Mexico, which is positioned just outside of the Navajo Nation. Through the launch of the Indigenous Art Expansion Initiative and the International Policy Network Initiative, the Soul of Nations Foundation was able to fulfill its mission far beyond the reservation lands of the American Southwest. Now, Soul of Nations is able to expand it’s level of programmatic outreach both domestically and abroad.

Indigenous International

Through the launch of the Indigenous Art Expansion Initiative and the International Policy Network Initiative, the Soul of Nations Foundation was able to fulfill its mission far beyond the reservation lands of the American Southwest. 

As a result of the Indigenous Art Expansion Initiative, Soul of Nations was able to open two new field offices, open an international base in Europe, and increase unconventional domestic and international art programming by attendance by 70 percent by introducing Indigenous International and Soul Center for the Arts.

The Indigenous International: Green Architecture Project in Rwanda presents the opportunity for young Indigenous female artists/architects from the Americas to connect with young Rwandan female artists/architects living in Kigali through a two-week exchange that has virtual and in-person components. The exchange is facilitated through a research residency that will result in one collaborative online and physical exhibition to be open to the public

Every quarter we like to shine a spotlight on some of the exciting work and grassroots efforts of our past youth program attendees and international network. If you would like to be featured in the Indigenous Youth Spotlight section of our next quarterly newsletter please email all news to apply@soulofnations.org with the subject line “Indigenous Youth Spotlight.” Submissions with the most promise may be eligible for merit funding or other small awards.

The Indigenous International: Digital Natives Project in Belgium is built around an artistic reflection on the accessibility to technology and the representation of minorities historically — and today — online, explored through the prism of multiculturalism and cultural heritage. Ten Native American students and ten afro-Belgian students from underrepresented communities participate in a seven-month exchange in the United States and in Brussels, Belgium. 

Soul Center for the Arts is an art gallery dedicated to exhibiting Indigenous contemporary works and life. This center also facilitates workshops to encourage international art programming for emerging Indigenous artists native to the Western hemisphere.