The First Nations Development Institute empowers Californian Native-led initiatives and safeguards Indigenous heritage.
In this episode, Sabine Talaugon, program officer for California Tribal Fund’s First Nations Development Institute, discusses the fund's inception in 2020 to support California-based, Native-led nonprofits and Tribal programs focused on safeguarding food systems, water, languages, traditional knowledge, and land.
Sabine's journey has involved transitioning from public health and policy to her present role, which emphasizes holistic care, cultural revival, and addressing historical intergenerational trauma. She talks about how her experience at California State Parks involved integrating traditional ecological knowledge and collaborating with tribes for respectful land use and repatriation efforts. She also encourages non-Native individuals to approach serving Indigenous communities with humility and a willingness to learn, highlighting the ongoing process of cultural revitalization.
We were so inspired by Sabine’s work to empower holistic care for Indigenous communities with the California Tribal Fund - don't miss our conversation!