Rooted In Community
Reclaiming Our Roots. Celebrating Our Community.
Oweesta’s annual Native CDFI Capital Access Convening is a national event that brings together Native CDFIs, Native American Financial Institutions, partners, practitioners, funders, investors, and bankers for training and networking opportunities. Now, more than ever, we must rely on the power of community and lean on the networks and connections we have forged over the past two decades–which is why the theme for 2021’s Capital Access Convening is ‘Rooted in Community.’
Over three days, the conference builds organizational capacity to access capital and markets for Native CDFIs and NAFIs and sparks strategic discussions around targeting capital to Native communities for potential funders, investors, and key partners. There are many opportunities to connect and invest in growing economies in Indian Country.
Relive this great multi-day event by accessing recordings and presentations below.
Session Recaps
Revisit the Convening by viewing the recordings or going through the presentations shared by session.
Pre-Conference Day ~ June 21
10:30 am-11:00 am MT - Pre-Convening Welcome
Oweesta Corporation and Impact Finance Center are working to build a direct investing ecosystem to drive more capital to social ventures in Indigenous communities.
Through our outreach efforts from the Indigenous Communities Investor Club event in October 2020 and “Invest with Purpose” event in February 2021, we are witnessing an opportunity for investors to benefit from connecting directly with each other to discuss challenges facing the sector, provide networking opportunities, share expertise with one another, and more. On June 21, 2021 from 10:00am-3:00pm MT, we will be hosting a series of webinar topics, networking events, and roundtable discussions to deepen our understanding of the current economic needs within Indian Country, learn opportunities to increase impact, and share resources within the investment community to leverage funding and create sustainable change.
Opening Prayer will be led by Karen Joseph, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw social change maker and CEO of Reconciliation Canada.
11:00 am-12:00 pm MT - Realize Impact and Working with Your Community Foundations
Realize Impact is a public charity that turns philanthropy into impact investments. Learn how we can enable every donor advised fund, family foundation, or fresh donation of appreciated shares to have both impact and a return on investment rather than the typical “100% loss” of a philanthropic grant. Learn how this organization has made significant impacts in communities across the country through impact investing, and how you can become a partner.
Speakers:
Luni Libes – Chairman, Realize Impact
12:00 pm-1:00 pm MT - Investing in Native Communities - An Investor Panel Discussion
Join Oweesta and a panel of investors as we discuss the incredible strides these organizations have made in Indian Country in the height of a pandemic and economic disaster. In this session, participants will gain the understanding of how social investing continues to move capital to underserved communities and the exponential impacts that begin to move the needle toward economic equity for Native Nations.
Speakers:
Susan Phinney Silver – Mission Investing Director, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Sarah Smith – Director, Mercy Partnership Fund
1:00 pm-2:00 pm MT - Investor Club Session
This intimate event will showcase 12 pre-selected Native CDFIs seeking investments and grants to support their incredible loan and financial education programs. Each organization serves a unique demand for their specific tribal communities. Learn how your investment dollars can make an impact for the lives of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Day 1 ~ June 22
11:00 am-11:30 am MT - Opening Plenary
We will commence the 6th Annual Native CDFI Capital Access Convening with an opening prayer, land acknowledgment, and remarks from Oweesta’s President and CEO, Chrystel Cornelius, as well as welcome remarks from sponsors and Keynote Speaker.
Opening Prayer will be led by Karen Joseph, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw social change maker and CEO of Reconciliation Canada.
Keynote Speaker Edgar Villanueva, Principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project will share remarks.
Welcome Remarks given by Jenny Flores, Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo Foundation.
11:30 am-1:00 pm MT - "Something Else": Inequity in Capital Access
This panel discussion will address capital access, particularly equity in accessing investment and philanthropic dollars. As we have seen, Native Communities have been categorized as “Something Else” and this plays out in a myriad of ways, particularly in investment in communities and Native-led organizations. Join us as we hear from this illustrious panel of Native leaders addressing economic inequality across a variety of sectors and systems.
Speakers:
Chrystel Cornelius – President and CEO, Oweesta Corporation
Mike Roberts – President and CEO, First Nations Development Institute
Nick Tilsen – President and CEO, NDN Collective
Heather Sobrepena – Project Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Center for Indian Country Development
Moderated by:
Sherry Salway Black – Board Member, First Peoples Fund
1:30 pm-3:00 pm MT - User-Friendly High Tech for Reaching Low-Tech Communities
Communication and marketing are about more than just information. Today, we must include an element that captures and keeps attention, delivers content in bite-sized chunks, and leaves people wanting more. For years, Sequoyah Fund has used email and social media to communicate with our community, but COVID forced us to up our game. The world went from live to virtual in the blink of an eye, and “Zoom fatigue” became a very real condition. In addition to constant online meetings, our kids started attending virtual classrooms, and streaming services like Netflix became mainstays of the pandemic. Boring emails and online meetings are out. If you want to stand out in a sea of digital images, it’s time to get serious about creating content people want to consume and producing it in a way that is both engaging and manageable.
Russ Seagle takes a low-tech approach to high-tech media. After much research, product testing and use, successes and failures, and spending a considerable amount of money to “get it right,” he learned how to keep Sequoyah Fund in front of the community through engaging videos, emails, social media, webinars, and livestream shows. This high-energy session is rich in digestible, actionable, and affordable content so you can put these tools to use immediately in your Native CDFI. Russ will reveal the tools he uses to plan, manage, produce, and monitor Sequoyah Fund’s digital marketing. As his staff will tell you, if he can do it, anyone can do it!
Learning Objectives:
- Discover best practices for creating a digital outreach strategy.
- Learn how to look dynamite on camera with a firecracker budget.
- How to create a digital content creation calendar to manage your message.
- Troubleshooting tips for dealing with tech gremlins.
Presenter: Russ Seagle – Executive Director, The Sequoyah Fund, Inc.
1:30 pm-3:00 pm MT - Agricultural Lending and Native CDFIs
More and more Native CDFIs are looking at offering agricultural lending. Akiptan, Four Bands Community Fund, and Lakota Funds will explain how they do ag lending at their CDFIs; from technical assistance to loan closing and follow up. Akiptan’s whole lending philosophy is about changing the way that finance is done and this session will take a dive into those innovative solutions. Four Bands Community Fund has years of experience in ag lending and has also started to offer mortgages trust land. And Lakota Funds is constantly innovating to meet their community’s needs and will discuss their FSA guaranteed ag lending work.
Native American Agriculture Fund will be moderating this panel of amazing Native CDFI leaders. Join us for this discussion!
Learning Objectives:
- Innovative Lending Styles
- Mortgaging Trust Land
- Technical Assistance for Native Ag
- Examples of Native Ag Lending
Presenters:
Tawney Brunsch – Executive Director, Lakota Funds
Skya Ducheneaux – Manager, Akiptan
Lakota Vogel – Executive Director, Four Bands Community Fund
1:30 pm-3:00 pm MT - The Due Diligence Process: What to Expect and How to Prepare
As the Native CDFI movement grows, Native CDFIs are increasingly able to access investor interest and capital. Join us for this interactive session where we walk through what to expect in the investor due diligence process. Learn how to prepare your organization for receiving investor capital, including what documents you will need to have ready to successfully complete the due diligence process. Discover the normal stages of due diligence process from both a relationship management perspective, as well as from an administrative perspective. Participants will use Oweesta’s investor management process as a case study and receive a toolkit that includes helpful resources, such as sample investor documents.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to prepare for investor capital
- Discover what to expect in the due diligence process
- Learn the “Dos” and “Don’ts” in new investor relationships
Presenters:
Krystal Langholz – COO, Oweesta Corporation
Florence Ludka – CFO, Oweesta Corporation
Jamie Olson – Director of Lending, Oweesta Corporation
Mikeala Ludka – Lending Assistant, Oweesta Corporation
1:30 pm-3:00 pm MT - Should Your Native CDFI Consider Scenario Planning Instead of Strategic Planning?
In this time of deep uncertainty, many businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies are choosing to do scenario planning instead of strategic planning. All of this uncertainty makes it difficult, if not impossible, to project one likely future and determine a single set of goals and objectives for three to five years as we would in a more normal time. Instead, I propose you consider doing a scenario planning process, which instead of focusing on developing a single future you create a portfolio of futures and use them to determine the implications and action plans for your Native CDFI. This allows the organization to be much nimbler, as it has already determined a course of action for four potential futures.
In this session I will describe what scenario planning is, how it is different than strategic planning, and the steps to complete scenario planning. Together we will uncover some of the critical trends in our industry, and what are the key uncertainties we should be proactively thinking about.
Learning Objectives:
- How is scenario planning uniquely well suited to uncertain times?
- What are the differences between scenario and strategic planning?
- What are the basic steps to scenario planning and what are the results?
Presenters: Adina Abramowitz – President, Consulting for Change
3:15 pm-4:15 pm MT - Afternoon Plenary: A Conversation with the CDFI Fund About New Initiatives
Join us for a panel discussion with representatives from the CDFI Fund, where they will talk about the new initiatives they have been rolling out over the past year and what they mean for Native CDFIs.
Following this panel discussion, Oweesta will close the day with final remarks to participants.
Speakers:
Amber Kuchar Bell – CDFI & NACA Program Manager, U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund
Clint Hastings – Associate Program Manager, Native Initiatives
Jodie Harris – Director, U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund
Moderated by:
Krystal Langholz – Chief Operating Officer, Oweesta Corporation
Day 2 ~ June 23
11:00 am-12:30 pm MT - Morning Plenary - Native-led Financial Impacts: Creating Global Change One Community at a Time
Lanalle Smith, Oweesta’s Programs Manager, will open the conference and then we will kick off our opening plenary session.
Oweesta is honored to host a U.S. and Canada cross-boarder discussion with leaders and practitioners from the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and Oweesta Corporation on the impacts of Native-led financial institutions in North America.
Speakers:
Stephanie Cote – Programs Officer, Oweesta Corporation
Shannin Metatawabin – Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
Christopher Goo Goo – Chief Operating Officer, Ulnooweg
*Following this session will be an industry memorial to honor those lost over the past year.
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - Liquidity and Asset Liability Matching: Managing Cash and Liquidity for Native CDFIs
Over the past few years, Native CDFIs have experienced growth and garnered an increased awareness from funders. With this growth and higher visibility comes greater scrutiny and accountability. While CDFIs have long been responsive to the communities they serve, their expansion and growth make it critical to communicate clearly and transparently to external stakeholders and investors about their financial position and stability.
In this session, we will discuss
- Liquidity and liquid assets
- The restrictions and limitations of liquid assets
- Accounting guidance for liquid assets
- Liquidity management practices
- Liquidity ratios
- Cash flow projections
- And analysis
Presenters:
Krystal Langholz – COO, Oweesta Corporation
Florence Ludka – CFO, Oweesta Corporation
Jamie Olson – Director of Lending, Oweesta Corporation
Mikeala Ludka – Lending Assistant, Oweesta Corporation
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - USDA Rural Development – Intermediary Lending Programs, Loan Guarantees, and More
Building off previous sessions USDA Rural Development (RD) has hosted and co-hosted at previous Native CDFI Capital Access Convenings, join us to learn about the RD programs that Native CDFIs most often utilize. We will then present information on the process of unregulated lenders becoming an approved lender for the 502 Guaranteed Loan Homeownership Program and the OneRD Guaranteed Loan Programs. Finally, we’ll reserve time to discuss additional opportunities for Native CDFIs to partner with USDA Rural Development such as loan packaging, homeownership/homebuyer education, and financial literacy training.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about USDA RD’s Intermediary Lending Programs such as the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program, the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) and the Rural Microentrepreneur Grant Program (RMAP).
- Learn about opportunities to become an approved lender for the 502 Guaranteed Loan Home program.
Presenter: Tedd Buelow – Native American Coordinator, USDA Rural Development
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - Understanding Fannie Mae’s Value Proposition for Native CDFIs
In partnership with Seven Sisters Development Corporation and Elevation Mortgage Consulting, LLC, Fannie Mae engaged in a research project to determine how Fannie Mae’s conventional lending products could improve borrower options and the long- term sustainability of a Native CDFI. We focused on one Native CDFI’s current program offerings and planned initiatives based on that organization’s current capacity and potential for future development as a conventional lender.
Through detailed analysis, we created the “Value Proposition Tool-Kit”. The tool we developed to analyze all available options for borrower execution and organizational self-sufficiency can be customized for other organizations. In this session, we’d like to discuss the work behind the research, the planning, as well as the final analysis. In conclusion, we’d like to demonstrate how conventional lending programs can indeed compete favorably with portfolio and government loan programs as well as enhance the organization’s profitability and sustainability.
Learning Objectives:
- Fannie Mae’s Value Proposition
- How Fannie Mae’s products can benefit a homebuyer
- How to maximize profitability and improve the organization’s sustainability
- How to work with Fannie Mae
Presenters:
Kellie Coffey – Native and Rural Initiatives – Duty to Serve, Fannie Mae
Joanna Donohoe – Partner, Seven Sisters Community Development Group, LLC
Mark Vanderlinden – Principal, Elevation Mortgage Consulting, LLC
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - Writing Workshop: Reach Your Audience with Your Words
This session will focus on identifying and writing meaningful and compelling stories that inspire and engage your intended audience. The first half of the session will be instructional, providing an overview on commonly-used narrative devices and story planning elements. The second half will be hands-on and interactive, as participants will be encouraged to rewrite existing material based on their learnings.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and synthesize unique stories
- Learn narrative structures and tips for engaging storytelling
- How to write concise and meaningful prose to reach your audience effectively
Presenter: Denisse Ruiz – Communications Officer, Oweesta Corporation
2:45 pm-4:00 pm MT - State of the Field - Native CDFI Industry Data
Sweet Grass Consulting and Oweesta Corporation will provide an update and insights on the industry from data and research conducted over the past year.
Sweet Grass Consulting will provide an update from the data shared at the 2020 Native CDFI Capital Access Convening, utilizing OTIS data which now includes more information from current and many new partners. Updates will be shared around the five impact goals defined by the Native CDFI industry: wealth creation, whole person wellness, 7th generation transformation, sovereignty, and individual empowerment and self-sufficiency. Attendees will hear about the current state of the field from OTIS data, what metrics and data OTIS collects, and gain an understanding the next level of Native CDFI impact measurement.
Oweesta Corporation will share updates on two data fronts, including an updated Native CDFI Industry Comparison Report (side-by-side report) and research on Native CDFI housing trends.
Join us to close day two with critical information about the Native CDFI industry; where it is and where it is going.
Following this final plenary, we will close for the day.
Presenters:
Day 3 ~ June 25th
11:00 am-12:30 pm MT - Morning Plenary Panel - Future of the Native CDFI Industry
In “The Future of the Native CDFI Industry” panel, we will be joined by illustrious thought leaders and finance experts in the fields of asset and community development. This panel will share ideas and efforts that direct capital to underserved communities and speakers will highlight developments in CDFI industry reach and scope. This panel will also share their thoughts about where the industry is headed in these unprecedented times and discuss where there are spaces to innovate, creating new income streams and opportunities to focus on economic recovery.
Speakers:
Chrystel Cornelius – President and CEO, Oweesta Corporation
Andy Gordon – Arizona Market President, Clearinghouse CDFI
Nikki Pieratos – Managing Director, NDN Fund
Andrea Levere – President Emerita, Prosperity Now
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - Effective Reporting – Stories from the Field
Learning Objectives:
- What data is needed to produce an effective report
- Helpful steps, processes, and systems in producing reports
- Graphic tips in creating engaging reports
- Effects of sharing data to stakeholders
Presenters:
Jeff Gilbreath – Director of Lending, Hawaii Community Lending
Sheila Herrera – Executive Director, Tiwa Lending Services
Andrea Mader – Principal Director, Sweet Grass Consulting, LLC
Angie Main – Executive Director, NACDC Financial Services, Inc.
Diana Pickernell – Director, Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund
Mary Sienko – Project Manager, Sweet Grass Consulting
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - The Critical Role Policies and Procedures Play in Communities of Trauma
Presenter: Tanya Fiddler- Consultant
This session will use examples of the challenges an organization may face in working within high distress communities, especially the subtle behavioral barriers staff and clients face when engaging in community economic development strategies and how to use Policies and Procedures as a rational and compassionate way to ensure community success. Participants will be able to explore the rarely addressed mental, emotional and social needs of clients and understand why trauma communities require a capacity building strategy to succeed with culturally appropriate policies.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the challenges organizations face in high poverty, distressed communities of trauma identifying the values required to lead policies and procedures.
- Create a new mindset to ethically and rationally address challenges for a wholistic system of support.
- Demonstrate the win-win
1:00 pm-2:30 pm MT - Walking with Native CDFI’s: “Helping Guarantee the Economic Future of Indian Country"
Presenters:
David B. Johnson – Acting Chief, Division of Capital Investment (DCI), Office of Indian Economic Development (IED), U.S. Department of Interior
DCI is a program under Indian Affairs / Office of Indian Energy & Economic Development. One of the program’s responsibilities is overseeing the Indian Loan Insurance & Guarantee Program. This program operates like the SBA Loan Program in that it guarantees loans for lenders. DCI takes it takes it a step further in that the program carves out a specific space for CDFIs and a Guarantee up to 90% for their loans. Few CDFI’s are aware of the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program and those that are have utilized it to their advantage. This session will explain the DCI’s program, how it can serve Native CDFI’s, and how simple and easy it is for Native CDFIs to access and utilize the program. We will also highlight a few of the Certified Native CDFI Lenders and the projects we are providing guarantees on currently.
2:45 pm-4:15 pm MT - Closing Plenary: Partners for Rural Transformation Panel & Conversation with Lisa Mensah
This closing plenary will include a panel discussion with the leaders from major CDFIs from across the country who have formed a key partnership, the Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT). PRT’s mission is to work collaboratively across geographies and cultures to collectively influence policy and simultaneously lead, advocate, innovate, and finance individual and community solutions to poverty so that our neighbors can build sustainable and promising futures.
In this panel, they will discuss equity in addressing economic and stereotype perception challenges across diverse communities in rural America. They will also discuss persistent poverty and how different communities can work together to create opportunities and how these opportunities could further Native economic engagement.
Speakers:
Suzanne Anarde – CEO, RCAC
William (Bill) J. Bynum – CEO, HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union and Hope Policy Institute)
Jim King – President and CEO, Fahe
Nick Mitchell-Bennett – Executive Director, cdcb
Following this panel discussion, Lisa Mensah, President and CEO at Opportunity Finance Network, will share some key remarks and then engage in an Executive Conversation with Chrystel Cornelius, CEO at Oweesta Corporation.
Speaker: Lisa Mensah – President and CEO, Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)
We will then close the conference with final remarks from Chrystel Cornelius.
