Although the latest USDA Census of Agriculture shows there are 3,218 agricultural operations on Indian reservations in South Dakota, only 924 – less than a third – are actually Native American-owned. Lakota Funds, a nonprofit organization, is working to increase that number by supporting Native American farmers
Bair Automotive Reopens as Ownership Changes Hands
A mainstay of Martin, South Dakota’s, local business sector, Bair’s Automotive Store, is scheduled to reopen on Monday, March 19, 2018 after a temporary closure for remodel work to be complete. After 50-plus years, ownership of the business has officially transferred to Scott Bair from his father, Richard
Lakota Funds Participates in Listening Session with Minneapolis Fed President
During his trip to Pierre, South Dakota, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President, Neel Kashkari, hosted a lunch listening session with about 15 tribal leaders from around the state. Among them were Lakota Funds Executive Director, Tawney Brunsch, and Board Chairperson, Elsie Meeks. The participants shared their accomplishments in the
Statewide Youth Business Plan Competition Celebrates 10th Year with Most Entries Ever
This year the statewide business plan competition, a part of the annual Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) that takes place every December, celebrated its 10th year with 33 competitors – nearly double last year and more than any other previous year. The participating students represented White River, Red
Native American Business Programs Showcased on SDPB
South Dakota Focus took a closer look a the success stories of Native American Business owners. Watch this segment to hear from owners to loan officers and how they are creating economic development and thriving. Guests include: Cecily Engelhart from Thunder Valley CDC, Cheryl Bartlett of Harvest
Family Celebrates Homeownership this Holiday Season
This holiday season, Cynthia Plenty Bull and her daughter will be celebrating in the same house they have lived in for the past six years. But this year, they will call the home their own. Cynthia is the first tenant in the 30-unit Eagle Nest Housing Development,
An Oglala Sioux Veteran’s Journey to Homeownership
In our role with the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, Lakota Funds is actively working to create homeownership opportunities for Native Americans throughout the state, and specifically for Native American veterans.
One of our first successes in this initiative was partnering with Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial to
US Treasury’s CDFI Fund Visits Pine Ridge Reservation
We were honored to host two important guests from the US Treasury’s CDFI Fund, Director Annie Donovan and Senior Portfolio Manager Clint Hastings. It was a great opportunity to showcase our work and highlight our local entrepreneurs.
Read Clint’s reflections in his blog post.
Financial Institutions of the Future
Indian Country Today’s article, “Are Native CDFIs the Financial Institutions of the Future?” discusses access to financial products and services in reservation communities. It highlights our work and the great need for capital among Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
We encourage everyone to read this article
Lakota Funds Deploys 1st Agricultural Loan
James Two Crow (Oglala Sioux), a loyal Lakota Funds client since 2002, was the first to tap into our new Farm Service Agency guaranteed loan program. He utilized this agricultural loan product to purchase 20 bred cows, which symbolize the start of his growing cattle operation just