The Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award
A Growing Tradition
Since 2001, we have recognized 48 tribal leaders with our Indigenous Leadership Award (ILA) for their dedication to improving the social, economic and environmental conditions of their homelands and people. We host a ceremony celebrating the work of these leaders and present each with a cash award to further their work to strengthen their communities. Through the generous support of a private endowment, we're able to award $25,000 to one finalist and $5,000 to four other honorees each year.
We accept nominations throughout the year prior to the awards ceremony in late fall. If you know a deserving native leader we should honor, please let us know through a nomination.
The nomination process
Both native and non-native nominators gather stories, tribal endorsements, supporting materials and recommendation letters with great respect and gratitude for the nominee’s service and dedication. A Reading Panel comprised of three Ecotrust staff members and several tribal leaders from Salmon Nation convenes to “peer” review the nominations. They narrow the field down to five honorees.
A final Jury Panel of senior tribal leaders and Ecotrust’s President, Spencer Beebe chooses the finalist from among the five honorees.
