United States › Indigenous Exchange Initiative

In June 2024, we partnered with the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) to provide technical training and support for the Indigenous Exchange Initiative, an international exchange program connecting Indigenous and Tribal artisans from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. The initiative included a robust mix of virtual and in-person activities tied to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, promoting cultural exchange, professional development, and market readiness for Indigenous artisan enterprises.

The program began with a virtual pre-workshop webinar to orient participants and set goals, followed by an intensive in-person training in Washington, D.C. titled “Keys to Successful Sales in the US.” Participants showcased their work at the Indigenous and Native American Artisan Showcase at the Rayburn House Office Building, connecting with U.S. policymakers and buyers. Select participants also engaged in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which featured Indigenous voices and craftsmanship from across the Americas. The experience concluded with a virtual debrief and reflection session in July.

Key Achievements:  

• Delivered a bilingual, cross-cultural program including two webinars, a hands-on marketing workshop, and participation in high-visibility showcase events.

• Supported 13 organizations representing 542 female and 92 male artisans from four countries.

• Facilitated over 80 new business and partnership connections across the Showcase and Folklife Festival.

• Increased participants' average confidence across 8 core market readiness competencies by 30%, especially in buyer communication, product development, and pricing.

• Developed a series of tailored recommendations for ongoing training, export readiness, and future tradeshows.

Donor: Inter-American Foundation (IAF)

Start Date: June 2024

End Date: July 2024

Number of Beneficiaries: 13 Organizations (Representing 600+ Artisans)

Training Hours: 156