The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) provide critical funding to Native cultural institutions, museums, libraries, and projects. However, recent Executive Orders threaten these vital resources.
Take action today—please contact your Congressional representatives to ask them to protect and restore funding for Native cultural institutions. Frequent contact is encouraged.
- Find your representatives here: https://www.congress.gov/members
- Brief Statement: (feel free to copy and/or tailor to your needs): President Trump’s recent Executive Orders targeting the elimination of the NEH and IMLS place vital federal funding for Native cultural institutions in serious jeopardy. These Congressionally mandated agencies have long enjoyed bipartisan support because they serve the public good, strengthen education, and protect America’s diverse cultural heritage. I urge you, as my Congressional representative, to act swiftly to overturn these orders and restore full funding. Without federal funding, many Native organizations face staff layoffs, program cuts, or even closure. Your support helps preserve irreplaceable cultural knowledge and strengthens Indigenous communities nationwide.
- Personalize the Statement:
- Share how you or your organization has benefited from NEH or IMLS funding.
- Explain the real-world consequences of losing that support.
- Invite your representative to visit your institution, attend an event, or meet with your community.
- Why Federal Funding Matters to Indigenous Cultural Institutions:
- Archives, libraries, museums, and cultural centers are pillars of cultural revitalization and education in Native communities.
- NEA, NEH, and IMLS provide critical, often irreplaceable support.
- More than 85% of Native cultural institutions rely on federal grants to survive.
- These agencies help fund language preservation, collections care, exhibitions, community events, and digital access. For many tribal organizations, these grants are the only source of funding for cultural programming.
- Loss of funding puts Native heritage and knowledge at risk. Without these resources, programs will be cut, staff may be laid off, and generations of cultural work could be lost, especially in rural and underserved areas.