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Agenda

The Native CDFI Network, in partnership with NeighborWorks America, is hosting a Western Regional Event in San Joaquin Valley, California!

The Native CDFI Network, in collaboration with NeighborWorks America, is thrilled to announce the upcoming Native Partnerships Gathering at the Tachi Palace Resort in San Joaquin Valley, CA, from February 25-27, 2025. We invite you to join us for an impactful event focused on “Leveraging Resources to Advance Homeownership and Economic Development” in Native communities.

This gathering aims to bring together a powerful network of tribes, Native CDFIs, nonprofit organizations, NeighborWorks Network organizations, and other key intermediaries. Together, we will:

  • Strengthen partnerships between tribal and non-tribal organizations to drive meaningful progress.
  • Highlight successful models of Native CDFI initiatives and their impact on economic development.
  • Share best practices in tribal partnerships to inspire and empower future collaborations.
  • Explore actionable solutions to expand homeownership opportunities for Native communities.

We look forward to seeing you there as we work together to build stronger, more resilient Native communities!

Lodging & Transportation

A room block is available at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort. To book your stay, call ‭(559) 924-7751‬ and use the event name “Native Partnership Gathering”. A discount under this room block is available until February 14, 2025.

An additional room block is reserved at the Best Western Plus Fresno Airport (1551 N Peach Ave, Fresno, CA 93727) hotel on Thursday, February 27. Limited rooms are available for this stay. You may use this link to reserve your room, or by by calling the hotel directly at (559) 251-5200 and stating the group name ‘Native CDFI Network’.

The nearest airport to the resort is the Fresno Yosemite International Airport which is about a 45 minute drive to the hotel. It is recommended that you book your rental vehicle in advance.

Thank You, Supporters!

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Shauntel Hogan, NCN Communications Director, at [email protected].

Preliminary Agenda

This agenda is subject to change and will be updated periodically. Check back for the latest updates.

Welcome and Community Tour

8:30 am

Registration Check-In

Tachi Palace Casino Resort Lobby

9:30 am

Shuttles Depart from Tachi Palace Resort

10:45 am

Welcome & Grounding

Eagle Mountain Events Center, 1850 West St, Porterville, CA

Vice-Chairman, Franklin Carabay Jr. | Tule River Tribe of California

11:45 am

Lunch Plenary

Novalie McDarment | Executive Director | Tule River Indian Housing Authority

Sabino Martinez | Project Manager | Tule River Tribe

Mike Tyler | Development Manager | Tule River Tribe

Wendi Correa | Director of Planning and Community Development | Tule River Tribe

Dennis Ickes | CEO | Tule River Economic Development Corporation

1:30 pm

Tour of the Tule River Tribe Housing Projects

Explore how the Tule River Tribe is fostering self-sufficiency through economic independence and climate resiliency. Learn about integrated planning efforts that align workforce development, housing, and community growth, and experience the Tribe’s dedication to cultural preservation.

6:15 pm

Shuttle Arrives back at Tachi Palace Resort

8:00 am

Registration Check-In & Breakfast Opens

9:00 am

Welcome, Grounding & Connecting

Chairman Leo Sisco | Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi-Yokut Tribe

Vice Chairman Robert Jeff | Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi-Yokut Tribe

Pete Upton | CEO | Native CDFI Network

Lisa Hasegawa | Regional Vice President | NeighborWorks America

10:00 am

Introductions & Tour Reflections

Joanna Donohoe | Seven Sisters Community Development Group

Vickie Oldman | Seven Sisters Community Development Group

10:30 am

Break

10:45 am

California Tribal History

Iliana Chevez | Director of Tribal Programs | California Coalition for Rural Housing

11:15 am

Native CDFI Creation Story

Pete Upton | CEO | Native CDFI Network

Jacqueline Pata | President & CEO | Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation

Chelsie Evans | Executive Director | Hawaiian Community Assets

Robin Danner | Board Chair | Oweesta Corporation

Fern Orie | CEO | Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation

12:00 pm

Lunch & Plenary Speaker – The Impact of Native CDFIs in Native Communities

Tim Rios | Senior Vice President | Rural Strategy Leader | Social Impact & Sustainability | Wells Fargo

1:00 pm

The Dynamic Role of Native CDFIs

Pete Upton | CEO | Native CDFI Network

Rolina Faagai | Executive Director | Hawaiian Lending Investments

Alicia Burns | Executive Director | Westwater Financial, Inc.

1:45 pm

Participatory Activity

2:15 pm

Break

2:30 pm

Partnership Building to Advance Homeownership, Community Development and Entrepreneurship

Lynn Meyer | Director of Lending | DevNW

David Hill | Board Member | Community LendingWorks | Coquille Indian Tribe

Gina Chamberlain | Homeownership Program Manager | Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

Christine De Los Santos | Executive Director | Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority

Iliana Chevez | Director of Tribal Programs | California Coalition for Rural Housing

Facilitator: Mel Willie | Senior Director of Native American Partnerships and Strategy | NeighborWorks America

3:30 pm

Wrap-Up

4:00 pm

Adjourn

5:00-7:00 pm

Networking Reception

Tachi Palace Casino Resort – Wet Bar Lounge

Keely Hanson | Vice President, National Community Engagement | JP Morgan Chase

8:00 am

Registration Check-In & Breakfast Opens

9:00 am

Welcome & Reflections of Day 2

Joanna Donohoe | Seven Sisters Community Development Group

Vickie Oldman | Seven Sisters Community Development Group

9:15 am

Building the Foundation: Training Opportunities for Creating and Developing Native CDFIs

Pete Upton | CEO | Native CDFI Network

Tim Rios | Senior Vice President | Rural Strategy Leader | Wells Fargo

10:00 am

Resilient and Sustainable Community Development Initiatives

Dave Cade | Housing Director | Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indian

Dennis Ickes | CEO | Tule River Economic Development Corporation

Facilitator: Kristen Wagner | National Program Director | Native CDFI Network

10:30 am

A National Movement: Statewide Native Homeownership Coalitions

Jonelle Yearout | Executive Director | Nimiipuu Fund | Idaho Native American Housing Coalition

Robin Danner | Alaska Native ~ Native Hawaiian Collaborative

Fern Orie | CEO | Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation | Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition

Angie Main | CEO | NACDC Financial Services | Montana Native Homeownership Coalition

Facilitator: Joanna Donohoe | Seven Sisters Community Development Group

11:30 am

Closing, Reflections & Take-aways

12:00 pm

Lunch & Networking

1:00 pm

Adjourn