PORTLAND, OR — Nominations are open for Ecotrust’s 10th annual Indigenous Leadership Award, recognizing native leaders dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental conditions of their homelands and people.

In the words of Janeen Comenote, 2009 honoree, “Part of what being native is, is giving back to your community.” Since 2001, Ecotrust has recognized 43 tribal leaders from Oregon, Washington, California, western Montana, Nevada, Idaho, Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory who have been giving back to their communities by working to improve their resource base, cultural base, economic security, or health and wellness.

“Ecotrust is committed to supporting Native peoples in the area we call Salmon Nation,” explains Don Sampson, Ecotrust director of Native Programs. “The Indigenous Leadership Award is a way to thank those who have dedicated their work to helping tribal people and in helping others see the great work that is currently being done in Indian country.”

The 2011 nomination deadline is July 15th (extended). A panel of Ecotrust staff and tribal leaders will narrow the nominations to the top five, from which a jury of senior tribal leaders, Sampson, and Spencer Beebe, president of Ecotrust, will select the finalist. The finalist will be awarded $25,000 and the honorees $5,000 to continue their work in improving conditions in their communities.

The 2011 award will be held November 2nd at the Portland Art Museum and coincides with the National Congress of American Indians National Convention, held this year in Portland. All are welcome to attend.

Past honorees’ work includes language preservation, tribal sovereignty, filmmaking, education, weaving and basketry, environmental justice, and political leadership. Last year’s finalist, Kim Recalma-Clutesi, was recognized for her work as an activist, cross-cultural interpreter, reporter, and ethnobotany teacher and academic researcher.

Nomination guidelines and forms are available online at www.ecotrust.org/indigenousleaders/guidelines.html.