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Before You Reach Out checklist

A Reflection Guide for Non-Tribal Partners

Purpose

Most partnerships fail not from bad intentions, but from starting too fast.
This guide helps educators, funders, and nonprofits prepare before initiating contact with Tribal Nations or Indigenous partners — ensuring outreach is grounded in respect, readiness, and reciprocity.

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 1. Learn Whose Land You’re On

Before sending an email or writing a proposal:

• Identify the Tribal Nations connected to the land where your work takes place.

• Learn how those Nations describe themselves — their own names, histories, and governance structures.

• Check official Tribal websites, cultural resource departments, or Tribal Education Offices.

• Remember: Land acknowledgment is the beginning, not the partnership.

Helpful Tools

• Native Land Digital: https://native-land.ca/
  → Interactive map to identify Indigenous territories globally.

•  California Native American Heritage Commission: https://nahc.ca.gov/
  → Official list of California Tribal Nations and contact information.

• Kumeyaay Information Village: https://www.kumeyaay.com/
  → Local context for Kumeyaay history, culture, and governance.

• Tribal Leaders Directory (U.S. Dept. of the Interior): https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-leaders-directory
  → Official contact directory for federally recognized Tribal governments.

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2. Understand the Difference Between Consultation and Co-Creation

• Consultation = asking for input after plans are made.

• Co-Creation = designing together from the start.

Ask yourself:

• Are we inviting feedback on a nearly finished plan, or opening space for shared design?

• Do we have budget, time, and flexibility for genuine collaboration?

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3. Budget for Relationship-Building

Respect requires time and resources.
Before outreach, ensure you’ve budgeted for:

• Honoraria or cultural consultation fees.

• Travel, meals, or event participation for Indigenous educators.

• Compensation for review time and community engagement.

 If there’s no line item for Indigenous participation, the partnership isn’t ready yet.

4. Respect the Pace

Indigenous partnerships move at the speed of trust — not deadlines.

• Avoid urgent requests (“We need your input by Friday”).

• Ask what pace works for the community.

• Be flexible and keep communication open as decisions unfold.

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5. Prepare to Listen More Than You Speak

Approach outreach as relationship-building, not recruitment.
Reflect on:

• What assumptions am I bringing?

• Do I understand current Tribal initiatives in this region?

• Am I open to being redirected or told “not now”?

Listening is the first act of partnership.

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6. Check Your Internal Readiness

Before reaching out:

• Does your leadership support Indigenous-led direction?

• Is your team trained in cultural humility?

• Are you ready to share power, credit, and resources?

If not, pause and prepare. Reach out when you can engage from a place of respect, not pressure.

7. Reach Out Respectfully

When ready:

• Introduce yourself, your role, and your intentions clearly.

• Ask what communication method and timeline are appropriate.

• Be transparent about your project, funding, and flexibility.

• Always close with gratitude not urgency.

Remember

Partnerships built on respect take time, humility, and care.
When you slow down and prepare before reaching out, you make space for authentic, reciprocal collaboration to grow.