On October 23-25, 2018, ONAC successfully provided a BNC training in Oklahoma City for forty participants.

BNC trainings are designed to provide Native-specific and culturally-relevant financial education training for those teach financial education in Native communities.   If you are new to teaching financial education, this is a great way to receive certification, so you may more confidently teach classes in your tribal communities.  For those already teaching classes, this training is designed to help you refresh your skills and have access to updated curriculum materials.  On the final day of the training, participants are invited to take a test so they may be a certified Building Native Communities trainer.

Native-specific financial education trainings, such as BNC trainings, acknowledge the broader understanding Native communities have about assets, as assets not only being money but also sovereignty, kinship, Native languages and arts, natural resources, etc.  The training materials include culturally relevant examples and note the ways Native communities have been saving for generations.  Tribes and Native nonprofits may choose to integrate Native financial education into their other asset building programs.  

This training was sponsored by First Nations Development Institute, the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC), Native Alliance Against Violence, Choctaw Asset Building, Bank2, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Victim Services.  Thanks to all these sponsors.  Also, thanks to the trainer, Shawn Spruce, and all the training participants!