The Trust Factor: A Conversation with Jackie Blackbird, Indigenous Communities Officer, Newman's Own Foundation

Jackie Blackbird is Indigenous Communities Officer at Newman’s Own Foundation and a leader advancing Indigenous food justice for kids. An enrolled member of the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) Tribe and a descendant of the Nakoda (Assiniboine) Tribe, Jackie manages partnerships with more than 30 grantee organizations working across Indigenous communities. Before joining Newman’s Own Foundation, she helped lead her tribe’s economic development efforts and co-founded the Aaniiih Nakoda Community Foundation. Jackie also spent more than 18 years at Nike, where she led the N7 Fund—directing over $10 million to support sport and physical activity in Tribal and First Nation communities. Today, she continues that commitment through her work and through service on multiple boards supporting Native-led initiatives. In this episode, we trace her journey from tribal community to national leadership—and explore how culture, community, and philanthropy come together to advance opportunity and food justice for the next generation.