From CEO to Senior Fellow: Lori Lea Pourier's New Chapter

After a monumental journey that spanned 25 years, Lori Lea Pourier (Oglala Lakota), the founding President and CEO of First Peoples Fund, has transitioned into a new role as Founder and Senior Fellow. This role will allow Lori to focus on the future of Native artists and culture bearers while bringing forward the knowledge and narratives that celebrate the organization’s years of preserving and supporting culture bearers.

“I am immensely grateful in reflecting on the many artists, tradition keepers, and communities I have had the honor of serving as President and CEO of First Peoples Fund,”

“I am immensely grateful in reflecting on the many artists, tradition keepers, and communities I have had the honor of serving as President and CEO of First Peoples Fund,” Lori said. 

In her new role as Senior Fellow, Lori will continue to promote Collective Spirit principles, which embody the commitment to foster our shared humanity and honor our connections to one another, the lands surrounding us, and the spirit.

“It's about the way of life of 1000 years and generations that allow us to continue and allow us to continue to practice those [same] teachings,"

“It's about the way of life of 1000 years and generations that allow us to continue and allow us to continue to practice those [same] teachings,” Lori said. 

As Lori takes on her new role, her goals and aspirations are embedded in her devotion to narrative change and amplifying the voices of tradition keepers. She can see herself creating a publication that showcases the stories of Community Spirit Award recipients over the past years, capturing the narratives of their experiences and artistic contributions to their Indigenous cultures.

“We always knew that we wanted to support the tradition keepers or the culture bearers within our communities, asking ‘how do we honor those that selflessly give of themselves in community?’"

“We always knew that we wanted to support the tradition keepers or the culture bearers within our communities, asking ‘how do we honor those that selflessly give of themselves in community?’” Lori said. 

Despite the challenge of finding the time to document these stories during the organization's rapid growth, Lori looks forward to being able to help First Peoples Fund preserve its legacy and impact on Indigenous communities.

“Now I have the honor and the privilege to tell our story directly through the eyes and the lens of the Community Spirit Award honorees,”

“Now I have the honor and the privilege to tell our story directly through the eyes and the lens of the Community Spirit Award honorees,” Lori said. 

With a cache of over 7,000 photos and videos documenting the history of First Peoples Fund, Lori sees an opportunity to capture the experience of FPF's journey and share it with a wider audience. Through ideas like the 25th-anniversary stage production from the Kennedy Center, Lori wants to find different ways to showcase the diversity and richness of Indigenous culture, from traditional practices to contemporary expressions. 

“I always believed that the creatives ruled the world,” Lori said. 

She shares the significance of the organization's name, "First Peoples," which reminds her of the Indigenous peoples' powerful presence on the continent from Canada to Mexico.

“First People's Fund values generosity and integrity, and we hope to keep doing things well so that we're not just about the business,” Lori said. 

Lori is still strongly devoted to uplifting Indigenous voices, preserving the various aspects of cultural heritage, and advocating for a greater understanding and appreciation for First Peoples' contributions to society. Through storytelling and celebration, she hopes to leave a lasting impact that honors the creativity of Indigenous communities.

“There are so many good things happening now due to First People's Fund’s long history of working alongside artists and culture bearers. What's important now and moving forward is how we celebrate and continue to lift those voices.”

“There are so many good things happening now due to First People's Fund’s long history of working alongside artists and culture bearers. What's important now and moving forward is how we celebrate and continue to lift those voices.”

Honoring Lori

On February 29, 2024, Lori Pourier, Founding President & CEO of First Peoples Fund, was celebrated in Phoenix, Arizona, in a heartfelt event filled with cultural richness and gratitude. Commencing with a welcoming by Ron Martinez Looking Elk and a prayer led by Loris Taylor, the evening unfolded into a rich tapestry of shared memories and meaningful testimonials. An Anishinaabe Faith Honor Song by Shannon Martin set the tone for celebrating Lori's Impactful contributions. Among those honoring her were Theresa Secord, Bud Lane, Jody Naranjo Folwell-Turipa, Maria DeLeon, Carleton Turner and Justin Huenemann. 

In another homage on April 25, 2024, Lori Pourier's legacy was again celebrated, this time at Owamni adjacent to the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. David Cournoyer served as Master of Ceremonies, guiding guests through a journey of appreciation – comprised of a unique blend of tributes, reflections and performances. Grounding and blessings by Gaby Strong and Sharon Day paved the way for heartfelt testimonials from individuals like Mary Lyons, Winona LaDuke, Marilyn Pourier, Dyani White Hawk, Katherine Hayes, Kathleen Fluegel and Sean Sherman, FPF 2015 Artist in Business Leadership Fellow and Owamni’s founder. The event was a testament to Pourier's profound impact, with poetry readings by Tish Jones, Heid Erdrich and Kalima Rose. First Peoples Fund staff blanketed Lori in a custom star quilt and the event concluded with a song performed by Sharon Day, Lyz Jakoola and Tina Kuckkhan.

Lori closed each honoring event with her own words, resonating with gratitude and continued dedication to culture bearers, Native arts and their communities.