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 2.6 | 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
Interview #31: Charlene Virgilio | Four Directions Development Corporation
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Charlene Virgilio, who serves as Executive Director of Four Directions Development Corporation (FDDC), a federally certified Native CDFI based in Orono,...
10
Nov
Nov
Interview #30: Chrystel Cornelius | Oweesta Corporation
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Chrystel Cornelius, who serves as President & CEO of Oweesta Corporation, a federally certified national Native CDFI intermediary predominantly serving Native...
02
Nov
Nov
Interview #29: Tamra Marlowe | Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Tamra Marlowe, who serves as Executive Director of Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund (CTLF), a federally certified Native CDFI based in Oakville,...
26
Oct
Oct
Interview #28: Colleen Steele | Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Colleen Steele, who serves as Executive Director of Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, a federally certified Native CDFI located on the Pine...
20
Oct
Oct
Interview #27: Robert Aitken | Leech Lake Financial Services
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Robert Aitken, who serves as Executive Director of Leech Lake Financial Services (LLFS), a federally certified Native CDFI based in Bemidji,...
13
Oct
Oct
Interview #26: Jonathan Zurek | Seneca Nation of Indians Economic Development Company
In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Jonathan Zurek, who serves as Executive Director of the Seneca Nation of Indians Economic Development Company (SNIEDC), a federally certified Native...
29
Sep
Sep
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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