Three tribes and the Northwest Area Foundation signed long-term partnerships to fight poverty on their reservations.

The Lummi Nation of Washington, the Turtle Mountain Chippewa in North Dakota and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota will work with the foundation over the next 10 year to reduce poverty, create jobs and spur economic development.

Initially, the Lummi Nation received a $1 million grant, the Turtle Mountain Chippewa received a $2.9 million grant and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe received a $2.5 million grant. The tribes will receive up to $19 million more over the next 10 years if they meet their goals under the partnership.

In related news, Elsie Meeks, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, joined the board of directors for the foundation.

Get the Story:
Northwest Area Foundation awards $9.5 million to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (The Rapid City Journal 2/1)
N.D. tribe selected for anti-poverty collaboration (The Fargo Forum 2/1)
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Foundation gives Lakota tribe $2.5M grant to curb rise in poverty (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 2/1)
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND: Tribe to partner with Minnesota foundation to fight poverty (The Grand Forks Herald 2/1)
Meeks joins board of foundation (The Rapid City Journal 2/1)
Lummi Nation gets $1 million to fight poverty (The Bellingham Herald 1/31)
Turtle Mountain tribe joining with foundation in poverty right (AP 1/31)
�Unique partnership� to help poor tribes become self-sufficient (The Native American Times 1/31)

Relevant Links:
Northwest Area Foundation - http://www.nwaf.org

Related Stories:
Lakota Fund wins $100K grant for reducing poverty (03/01)
Foundation to help tribes develop economies (05/12)
Foundation sued for withdrawing $15M offer (03/06)
Group sees momentum to recover Indian lands (02/06)
Land group seeking input from Indian Country (2/3)
Grant awarded to protect Indian land (11/13)