Food security among American Indian/Alaska Native families living in urban areas is often overlooked, as many mistakenly believe that AI/AN people live predominantly on reservation lands. This article discusses missing local-level data on food access and addressing data violence to strengthen policies to lessen food insecurity and health disparities.
This virtual training introduced participants who are entering or considering an economic development planning process to its core components. Participants learned about the key internal and external actors, the process’s timeline and duration, the data required, and critical outcomes.
This session discussed strategic planning for indigenous tourism development, an intro to ATNI-EDC and Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, and highlighted tourism projects across Indian Country such as:
The Wind River Development Fund
NC Growth - Native Edge Tourism Technical Assistance Center
Akwesasne Travel of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
This first section of the track underscores the foundational elements of economic development plan implementation, including a qualified workforce/labor pool, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the primary infrastructure necessary to support economic activities.
This session featured the presentation of two unique funding mechanisms for supporting community economic development in tribal and Native communities, including Section 105(l) leases and Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSCBI), as well as an introduction to some useful tools and Resources the EDA offers for underserved communities
The first training in the CoP’s 9-part series of a variety of topics across Indian Country. Cris Gastner and Kevin Klingbeil from Big Water Consulting led a discussion and exercises about the foundations and essential components of CED in Indian Country and an introduction to CED planning.
The discussion centered around how project leaders identified a need for the facilities in their communities, how they secured funding, and the impacts the health centers will have and are having on community economic development. Experts also discussed how the 105(l)-lease program can help fund and support Native health centers.
The August CoP session featured a panel of grant experts who discussed strategies for writing successful grants and attracting other capital, common mistakes and other barriers to the grant writing process, and opportunities to reduce or eliminate barriers.
This session featured a panel of data experts who shared their experience working with and collecting new tribal and Native economic data.
As tribes work on projects to grow and improve their communities, it is essential that all the various sectors of community economic development are involved in the conversation together through a holistic planning process.
The session featured a panel discussion on the impacts of energy projects on tribal and Native lands. Our panelists Kenneth Ahmann, Ken Stock, and Wendolyn Holland shared a wealth of expertise and insight into the importance and timeliness of the energy sector and its impact on community economic development.
During this monthly session SMEs discussed the barriers to and the benefits of tribal citizen entrepreneurship. A lack of financial literacy, limited access to capital, and inconsistent rules & regulations have made it difficult for tribal citizens to start business ventures.
Over 90 people attended the session from across the country, including from Alaska and Hawaii. Participants came from tribal enterprises, tribal planning departments, Native CDFIs, state and federal agencies, academia, regional tribal associations, and more. Attendees reported a range of experience with EDA grants.
A 105(l) lease is an agreement between Indian Affairs and a Tribe or Tribal Organization to reimburse facility costs incurred while carrying out programs, services, functions, and activities (PSFAs).
EECBG Program provides $8.8 million to 774 eligible Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional and Village and can be used to upgrade buildings, install renewable energy equipment, or develop climate and clean energy plans.
The NSFLTP provides funding for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant projects with a minimum expected cost of $12 million within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and Tribal lands.
The BIA’s Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience program will support federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations as they address current and future climate change impacts on Tribal Treaty and Trust resources, economies, regenerative agriculture, food sovereignty, conservation practices, infrastructure, and human health and safety. All 2024 award applications must be submitted online by October 18, 2024.
“This toolkit shares the findings of NCAI’s “Building Tribal Economies” research and outreach initiative, which works to train the focus of Tribal Nations on the strategic, foundational considerations involved with building integrated and resilient tribal economies capable of supporting their communities and citizens today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.”
The USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program provides grants and affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas including Tribal communities.
The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program provides direct grants for development such as decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities. Projects funded by the ICDBG program must principally benefit low-and-moderate income persons.
The session featured a discussion of topic-driven member-led committees and a presentation from Dustin Goslin of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.