News from the Oweesta Office

Education Program of the Year Award

Oweesta was recently awarded the 2015 "NAFOA Education Program of the Year Award." This distinguished award recognizes an organization's work and dedication toward enhancing the lives of Native people and empowering them to make sound financial decisions. We are  honored to be recipients of such a prestigious award.

To read the full press release, please click on the button below.




Chrystel Cornelius, center, Executive Director of Oweesta, accepts the 2015 NAFOA Education Program of the Year Award.
Left to right: Bill Lomax (NAFOA), Tina Danforth (NAFOA), Chrystel Cornelius (Oweesta), Dawson Her Many Horses (NAFOA), Kim Peone (NAFOA), VaRene Martin (NAFOA)

Native CDFI Gathering

Oweesta is getting prepared for our Native Gathering at the 2015 Opportunity Finance Network Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan, on November 9-14. We are excited to start planning for the Native Convening (Pre-Conference Meeting November 9) and the Native Track (Native CDFI sessions at the OFN Conference).

Below is a quick, four-question survey to gather your thoughts and insights into the 2015 Native Gathering! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5QDTPMD

For question, concerns, or additional feedback for the conference planning, please contact Stephanie Cote, Communications Manager of Oweesta, at stephanie@oweesta.org.

Lending

For more information on our First-In Loan product or additional loan capital opportunities, please contact Emily Trump, Lending and Compliance Manager, at emily@oweesta.org.

Community Spotlight

We are so pleased to share that Tanya Fiddler, Executive Director of Four Bands Community Fund, has received the Asset Builder Champions Award from the Center for Global Policy Solutions. Tanya was one of four individuals in the nation recognized for her outstanding efforts in the asset-building movement.

Funding Opportunities

First Nations Development Institute is now accepting applications for "Seeds of Native Health" grants under its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative. The purpose of the Seeds of Native Health campaign is to support Native tribes and organizations working to eliminate food insecurity, promote access to fresh and healthy foods, and provide increased access to nutritional programs aimed at improving the overall nutrition and health of Native people and communities.

More information on this grant can be found at http://firstnations.org/grantmaking/2015SONH. Grant proposals are due by 5p.m. MT on Thursday, May 21, 2015.

Partners

Join First Nations Development Institute in strengthening and improving the lives of Native children and families while raising awareness of the needs of the communities we serve.

Please take a moment to learn more about the following successful projects featured on www.NativeGiving.org, including:

• College of Menominee Nation in Wisconsin
• Oyate Teca Project in South Dakota
• S.T.A.R. School in Arizona
• Sust'ainable Molokai in Hawaii
• Zuni Youth Enrichment Project in New Mexico

You can donate to any or all of these organizations.

First Nations will incur all processing, administrative and handling costs. Thus, 100% of the gifts made to these groups will go to furthering your selected organization’s mission.

Give Native, Give Today!

Job Opportunities

The Native CDFI Network (NCN) is seeking an Executive Director. NCN is a coalition of Native CDFIs and partners that maximize member impacts through capital and policy advocacy. As a national membership organization, the Native CDFI Network empowers its members to engage our best ideas, connect to one another, and collectively advance policy priorities and increase access to capital to foster systemic and sustainable Native community and economic development.

San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians is hiring a Director for the Ipai Community Development Financial Institution. The purpose of the director is to implement the mission and primary goals of the organization, including acheiving CDFI certification, underwriting loans, and maintaining the existing micro loan portfolio.

OFN's core mission is to align capital with social, economic, and political justice. It seeks qualified candidates committed to this mission and to upholding OFN's standards for excellence. OFN is currently hiring for Director of Government Relations, Statistical Data Financial Research Manager of Knowledge Sharing, and Vice President of Strategic Communications.

Upcoming Events

The CDFI Fund will hold a meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The function of the Advisory Board is to advise the Director of the CDFI Fund on the policies regarding the activities of  the CDFI Fund.

Native CDFI Network Board Chairperson Tanya Fiddler is a member of the exclusive Advisory Board and will be attending the meeting on May 20. She is interested in hearing about the specific challenges and opportunities that your Native CDFI is facing. Please email her at tfiddler@fourbands.org with your Native CDFI question and concerns for the Advisory Board Meeting.

Resources

Building Assets and Building Lives

First Nations Development Institute has published a report that provides an overview of financial capability programs serving reservation-based Native communities in the Northwest Area Foundation region.

Please follow the link below to access this very informative report.