Turning Toward Repair and Action: Philanthropy’s Role in Indigenous Land Return and Rematriation

On October 26, 2026, Bay Area Asset Funders Network is co-hosting a workshop with Justice Funders and Northern California Grantmakers to explore The Funder Circle for Shuumi & Action.

This workshop is for philanthropic practitioners and funder organizers across roles, including grantmaking, finance, and operations. It is an opportunity to join a growing constellation of philanthropic institutions, community-based organizations, and neighbors in Lisjan (Ohlone) territory giving Shuumi.

Over 90 minutes of facilitated interactive learning, philanthropic practitioners interested in building reparative relationships with Indigenous communities will step into courageous dialogue to explore:

• What are the connections between philanthropic wealth and the colonial occupation of Indigenous lands?
• How do we understand the lands where we live and work, moving beyond a colonial lens toward a deeper connection to place?
• How can Indigenous land taxes and other funding channels support rematriation and sovereignty?
• What pathways exist for healing and repair?

This is a learning and organizing space: relational, participatory, and action-oriented. We’ll hear from practitioners at different points in their journeys and gather in small groups to learn and practice alongside one another. Through collective structures, participants will accompany one another as they deepen their commitments, shifting philanthropy from extractive practices toward restorative ones that align with Justice Funders’ Resonance Framework.

The Funder Circle for Shuumi & Action is a community grounded in camaraderie, care, rigor, and action, and this workshop extends that energy. Whether you are just beginning your journey and new to these questions or have long been in this practice and exploring where you might deepen, we are excited to build with you. Together we will strategize, navigate internal barriers, and take concrete action to move toward institutional commitments to pay Shuumi and advance practices toward rematriation. Participants will leave with new comrades and resources to support their work

Speakers

Ariel Luckey, Development Director, Sogorea Te’ Land Trust
Donna Bransford, Senior Program Officer, Kataly Foundation
Kat Gilje, Just Futures Impact
Michael Johnson, Co-COO, Hopper-Dean Foundation