LATEST NCN NEWS
Clean Energy for Native communities
Every day, we see dramatic examples of how climate change is affecting the world around us, threatening the livelihoods and economies of Native peoples across the country. Chronic underinvestment in Native communities has exacerbated the challenges of extreme weather and prevented most from being able to make the transition to self-governed, clean energy sources.
The energy transition can’t create climate justice without including, mobilizing, and providing tools to act to those most affected by climate change. The biggest challenge for the energy transition is providing affordable energy while reducing carbon emissions.
Stay up to date on NCN news and resources surrounding clean energy finance.
DIFFERENCE MAKERS INTERVIEW SERIES
The Native CDFI Network (NCN) developed this series to cast a much-needed spotlight on the benefits that Native community development financial institutions create for tribal communities and the leaders who help make Native CDFIs the transformational success stories they are.
Episode 2.12 | BEARS, BOATS, AND BUSINESS DREAMS | Native Entrepreneur Brings Tlingit Traditions to Tourism with Spruce Root’s Help
Native entrepreneur John Hillman partners with Spruce Root CDFI to launch Wilderness Island Tours, bringing authentic Alaska Native culture and wilderness experiences to Hoonah's growing tourism industry while staying rooted in his...
13
Nov
Nov
Episode 2.11 | From Pre-Med To Sweet Success: Native-Owned Bakery Rises in Alaska with Help from Cook Inlet Lending Center
An Ahtna Athabascan baker switched from pre-med to pastries, building Arctic Moon Bakery into a thriving business that makes 6,000 treats weekly in Anchorage.
30
Oct
Oct
Episode 2.10 | Market To Mortar To Mobile | R-Eatz Grows on Winnebago Reservation with Native CDFI Help
Winnebago chef Reggie Frazier turned his passion for cooking into a thriving restaurant with help from Ho-Chunk Community Capital, a Native CDFI. Learn how R-Eatz is feeding the community and inspiring other...
23
Oct
Oct
Episode 2.9 | From Small Loans to Big Impacts: How Native CDFIs Empower Communities and Tribal Sovereignty
Pete Upton, CEO of Native CDFI Network, shares insights on how Native CDFIs empower tribal self-sufficiency and sovereignty. Join him on Difference Makers 2.0 to hear inspiring stories of impact across Indian...
26
Sep
Sep
Episode 2.8 | ‘Always a good day on the sea’ | Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending Helps Fisherman Live His Big Dream
Tulalip Nation citizen Anthony Henry turned his passion for fishing into a successful business with the help of a Native CDFI named Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending.
12
Sep
Sep
Episode 2.7 | Sink or Swim: How a Native Cosmetologist Went From Student to Salon Owner with Help from Sequoyah Fund, Inc.
Julie Painter, an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member, bought Visage Salon at 25 with help from Sequoyah Fund, Inc. Discover her journey from student to successful salon owner in the latest...
08
Aug
Aug
Episode 2.6 | Wóyute: Four Bands Community Fund Incubates Traditional Grocer
At Four Bands Community Fund’s incubation space, Wóyute Natural Foods & Apothecary brings traditional, whole groceries and food sovereignty to the Cheyenne River Lakota Reservation.
25
Jul
Jul
Episode 2.5 | INITIATING CHANGE: Wells Fargo and Native CDFI Network Partner to Bolster Economic Development for Native Americans in California, Nevada
Despite a Native American population of nearly 800,000, California and Nevada have only one certified Native CDFI. The Native CDFI Network and Wells Fargo are launching a year-long initiative to change that....
11
Jul
Jul
Episode 2.4 | HARVESTING TRADITION: How Four Directions Development Corporation Helped Mi’kmaq Nation Expand a Fishery into an Enterprise
Polluted waters once limited the Mi’kmaq Nation's access to brook trout. A new fish hatchery and expansion, supported by Four Directions, a Native CDFI, boosts subsistence and economic development.
20
Jun
Jun
Episode 2.3 | Traditional Foods, Modern Business: Nixyaawii Community Financial Services Prepares Iniim Coffee Shop for Success
Nixyaawii Community Financial Services helped Umatilla Citizen Sadie Mildenberger turn her dream of owning a business that serves innovative dishes with traditional ingredients into a reality.
06
Jun
Jun
Episode 2.2 | From the Ground Up: Native CDFI Chi-Ishobak Helps Great Lakes Flooring Specialists Lay Foundation for Growth
Meet the Roberts family, owners of a Native-owned small business that found support in Chi-Ishobak, a Native CDFI, to grow their flooring business from a single hospital contract to a thriving regional...
23
May
May
Episode 2.1 | A Recipe for Success: How NACDC Financial Services Helped Big Sky Cafe Serve Up Success
Discover how Gary and Sue Raccine's journey from a rejected loan to thriving entrepreneurship was fueled by NACDC Financial Services, empowering Native American business owners in Montana.
08
May
May
Interview #39: Alicia Burns | Westwater Financial, Inc.
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Alicia Burns, who serves as Executive Director of Westwater Financial, Inc.
22
Mar
Mar
Interview #38: Pamela Boivin | NiiJii Capital Partners, Inc.
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Pamela Boivin, who serves as Executive Director of NiiJii Capital Partners, Inc. (NiiCaP).
09
Mar
Mar
Interview #37: Nancy Jordan | Lummi CDFI
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Nancy Jordan, who serves as Interim Executive Director of Lummi CDFI (LCDFI), a certified Native CDFI based in Bellingham, Washington.
02
Mar
Mar
Interview #36: Jeff Gilbreath | Hawai’i Community Lending
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Jeff Gilbreath, who serves as Executive Director of Hawai’i Community Lending (HCL), a federally certified Native CDFI headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
22
Feb
Feb
Interview #35: Kim Pate | NDN Fund
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Kim Pate, who serves as Managing Director of NDN Fund, the investing and lending arm of NDN Collective.
16
Feb
Feb
Interview #34: Chris James | National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Chris James, who serves as President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), which recently launched...
09
Feb
Feb
Interview #33: Jacqueline Pata | Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Jacqueline Pata, who is President & CEO of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, which oversees Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation, a federally...
02
Feb
Feb
Interview #32: Leonard Smith | Native American Development Corporation
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Leonard Smith, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and founder of the Native American Development Corporation (NADC), a federally certified Native...
26
Jan
Jan
WHAT WE DO
Since we formed in 2009, the Native CDFI Network has been creating opportunities for Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to share our stories, identify our collective priorities, and strengthen our industry. Our aim is ensure that Native peoples are represented in the national policy dialogue and to spread the innovative solutions created by CDFIs throughout our Native communities.
WHAT ARE NATIVE CDFIs?
Native CDFIs help Native American communities overcome systemic barriers to entrepreneurial success, such as a lack of physical, legal, and telecommunications infrastructure, access to affordable financial products and services, and limited workforce development strategies. The majority of Native communities, 86 percent, lack a single financial institution within their borders to access affordable financial products and services.
Over the last decade, Native CDFIs have proven themselves key in developing healthy, vibrant Native economies and communities. Entering markets normally considered “high-risk,” they help place communities on a path to success – creating businesses, jobs, homeowners, and serving as the catalyst for developing local economies. Their unique programs and services are designed to build financial assets in the low-income populations they serve and provide access to economic opportunities.
OUR POLICY PRIORITIES
As the only national member coalition Native CDFIs in the country, the Native CDFI Network seeks to grow and strengthen Native CDFIs through policy advocacy, capacity building and access to capital that supports the economic prosperity of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Our nine-member National Board of Directors voted at our NCN Policy Summit to approve two key policy priorities:
- Adequate Capital Access by NCDFIs to Serve Native Peoples
- Industry Partnerships & Capacity to Serve Native Peoples & Areas
Read more about the policy goals we’ve established and our plans for carrying them out!
Senator Elizabeth Warren Addresses NCDFIs and her work on Broken Promises.
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