In 2014, the Pawanka Fund was born with a clear mission: to contribute to the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, strengthen their traditional knowledge and facilitate its transmission. Since then, we have dedicated ourselves to building relationships based on trust with indigenous communities, recognizing that we do not intend to impose solutions, but rather to complement and support the initiatives that communities already carry out.
Over the years, we have seen how our actions have grown in a constant and sustained manner. In 2015 we started supporting 18 initiatives and by 2022 we supported 127 initiatives. The results have shown that our way of working greatly contributes to communities because we support their own solutions.
As a Fund Led by Indigenous Peoples, our main objective is to promote a paradigm shift in traditional philanthropy, promoting a decolonizing approach and changing the power relations that have established a hierarchy between those who give and those who receive. We are committed to an intercultural philanthropy of horizontal relationships in which both parties contribute to build more just societies.
At Pawanka Fund we base our work on relationships of trust and respect, giving priority to the voices of indigenous organizations. This is an essential step towards a more sustainable and equitable world that contributes to all of humanity.
We pride ourselves on maintaining transparent and horizontal relationships with the communities we support; whom we call “local partners” because we greatly value their contributions. Their territories and ancestral knowledge are treasures for all humanity because they protect Mother Earth.
As the Indigenous Peoples Fund, we are committed to self-determination and balance with nature, thought from the community and not from individuality in the management of natural resources. Our relationship with nature is based on reciprocity, not on a mercantilist relationship, but on mutual protection: nature protects us, gives us everything we need and we protect nature.
Intercultural philanthropy is a path to transformation!
