
Celebrating the Inaugural Cohort of Native Performing Arts Production Grantees and Fellows
With the start of 2025, First Peoples Fund proudly announces the launch of the Native Performing Arts Fellowship (NPA) and Production Grant, adding a new type of support for Native performing artists. This inaugural year shows another side of how to amplify Indigenous voices better and encourage cultural expression through performing arts.
These programs aim to create spaces where Indigenous stories and voices shine. They provide funding, professional development, and networking opportunities for performing artists and culture bearers nationwide.
As an experienced performer with over two decades of experience, Natalie Benally, NPA program manager, expressed her excitement about the first cohort of fellows and grantees.
“It's amazing to find ways to give back and provide access in a way I didn't have when I started my career. So providing more accessibility and resources to people to grow and sustain their performance arts careers is very exciting,” Natalie said.
The NPA fellowship provides $10,000 to individuals working in the performing arts, including dance, theater, and music. In contrast, the NPA production grant program provides $30,000 to Native-led productions featuring multiple artists, emphasizing live performances ranging from traditional plays to innovative festivals.
“Providing funding for people to focus on their craft is incredible. I’m excited to see how this grows their artistic skills and knowledge, especially for those who may not have access due to their location or circumstances. It’s also about connecting people in this cohort, as I believe in the power of collective strength. It’s not just about support—it's about fostering connections within a network of like-minded individuals,” Natalie said.
Christina Thomas (Numu, Newe, and Hopi), recently announced as a Native Performing Arts Fellow, utilizes her passion for music with her culture. A talented singer and scholar, Christina’s work is centered around preserving and restoring Indigenous music within the world of academia, which she believes is an important part of Indigenous identity.
She’s overcome challenges in her career, notably being told that “Native American music is not music,” a statement that motivated her to push for recognition of Indigenous art forms, “Hearing that was disheartening, but it also gave me a sense of purpose. It reminded me of why this work is so important—not just for me but for my entire community,” she says.
Christina’s work includes recording and documenting Northern Paiute songs and dances, hoping to create a songbook with Western musical notations and translations. The fellowship grant will help fund these efforts, including hiring sound engineers and creating a professional website to showcase her work.
“This funding will allow me to bring more exposure to artists from different tribal communities,” she shares. By mixing her academic pursuits with her passion for music, Christina aims to ensure that Indigenous music survives and thrives within the modern era.
Boots Lupenui, a Native Hawaiian artist and storyteller, was recently announced as a Native Performing Artist Production Grantee (NPAP) for his project celebrating Hawaiian culture and music. Deeply rooted in oral storytelling, Boots has used music, painting, and documentary filmmaking to share cultural narratives.
His upcoming project involves taking a selection of traditional Hawaiian songs to Washington, D.C., where he and his band will perform. "The point is that it all comes from Hawaiian music... the history of music in America, especially Hawaii music in the late 1800s early 1900s, the whole world kind of fell in love with Hawaiian music and became a sort of a craze," he explains.
For Lupenui, receiving the grant affirms the importance of his work and serves as a professional milestone. "Sometimes the folks don't understand and don't know how to show respect for our work unless they write a big check for it, which is okay."
This grant gives him the resources to continue his cultural work and compensates his band members fairly, ensuring the project's success. He hopes the project will leave a lasting impression that explores cross-cultural connections and mutual respect, saying, “I’m honored if we can make those connections.”
With the launch of the Native Performing Arts Fellowship and Production Grant, First Peoples Fund is continuing to pave the way for a new generation of Native performing artists to share their passions while also preserving their cultures.
By providing platforms for networking and mentorship, the fellowship and grant programs aim to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where Indigenous performers can support one another and elevate their craft. For Natalie, this initiative is more than just a grant program—a movement to redefine what is possible for Native performing artists.