Up until now, Nanish Shontie has gotten by on an Eagle Feather and a prayer. Yet, even with a minimal operating budget, no salaries, and no permanent staff, a dedicated group of board members and volunteers have managed to accomplish many amazing things. When we work together from a heart level, real healing begins to happen.

Getting there takes, time, sweat, faith and money. We have plenty of the first three.

Nanish Shontie is currently focused on the building of the needed infrastructure. The vision is now an attainable reality, but we need donations, support, resources, volunteers, and grants.

Based in part upon our experience with Meta Tantay, we expect Nanish Shontie to become self-sustaining within the first five years of operation, if not before. However, we cannot base this upon a conventional business model, because the Traditional Native value system imposes significant constraints. Principally, we cannot impose charges or accept payment for what we consider to be “medicine” or for spiritual activities.

Our current needs include standard budget items such as food, office supplies and other basic needs as well as help in making the monthly land payments. We are also hoping to start a number of needed construction projects as funding becomes available.

We need to do some initial improvements that will involve repairing existing structures, planning and laying out the common grounds including sanitation facilities, developing and building farm buildings and enclosures, cultivating crop land, building meeting and ceremonial lodges, and building additional residential and seasonal residential structures. Most of our labor is volunteered. However, materials and professional services must be covered by contributions. Our budget for this item is set forth in the Budget Appendix attached to this proposal. (See "Improvements Budget.")

First Year Operations The first year of operations will include operating expenses for a group of residents which will increase from a very few as we come up to speed. It will also involve extraordinary fluctuations as volunteer labor groups coming to assist in the improvement process. The first year will also require provisions and sustenance for our visitors, staff, Elders and volunteers without being able to count on the produce we intend to raise to sustain ourselves in subsequent operating years. We are therefore forecasting a need for first year operating expenses in the amount of _______ (See "First Year Operations Budget" set forth in the Budget Appendix.)

Sustaining Operations During First Five-Year Cycle For the reasons discussed elsewhere (see "Anticipated Revenue"), we are convinced that growing participation in the community and developing support from voluntary individual contributions will reduce our need for grants to cover operating expenses during the first five years. Based upon the experience of those of us who operated Meta Tantay in the 1970's and 1980's, we are confident that our frugal ways, coupled with voluntary contributions from friends of Nanish Shontie, and from those who have visited for stays of varying duration, will enable us to reduce that need to zero by the year 2009, if not before. In addition, profit-share contributions from "Belong to Mother Earth " Communications (and other business entities which are anticipated) are also expected to assist in our becoming self-sufficient. However, we anticipate that the transition will be gradual. We are therefore requesting declining annual grants for operating expenses during the next several years. (See "Annual Operating Budgets after First Year" in the Budget Appendix.)