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  • 22 Feb 2014 1:20 AM | Anonymous

    First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is pleased to announce the launch of the My Green campaign for Native American youth.  My Green, created by First Nations with funding from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, is an initiative that features a brand new website (http://www.mybigmoney.org/) with tools to help Native youth who will be receiving a large Minor’s Trust or per capita payment – what First Nations refers to as “Big Money” – make smart decisions with their money.

    The My Green campaign was created in response to the growing demand for a product to specifically assist the increasing number of youth receiving Big Money payments.  As many of you know, some tribes hold capital earned through successful tribal businesses or settlements with the US government in a trust for tribal youth, and award the payment(s) to youth when they turn 18 (or sometimes later).  Unfortunately, Native youth have a high “unbanked” rate and lower levels of financial knowledge than the national average, and are thus especially vulnerable to making poor financial decisions when awarded this money.

    The My Green website (http://www.mybigmoney.org/) features four spokespeople, Native youth ages 17-23, who present their stories about how they managed their Big Money. They share their lessons learned in a series of videos, and they serve as guides throughout the different components of the website.  The site contains several money tools that Native youth can use to learn how to better manage their payments, including a Big Money simulation game that mirrors real-life spending decisions one must make and a question and answer forum that addresses a number of topics pertinent to youth receiving a Big Money payment.

    To view all the resources available to our youth, please visit www.mybigmoney.org, like the new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mygreenfndi, and follow the campaign on Twitter @mygreenfndi for all the latest updates. 

  • 20 Feb 2014 1:22 AM | Anonymous

    Talking Dollars with Danny and Denise is a series of 7 60-second public service announcements that cover a range of financial topics. Danny and Denise discuss buying a car, budgeting their money, what to do with a windfall payout from a trust fund settlement, and much more.
     
    These PSAs were recorded by staff at KWSO 91.9FM -  Warm Springs Community Radio. The project was made possible with funding from First Nations Development Institute (www.firstnations.org) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (www.finrafoundation.org).
     
    Use of these PSAs is free to all radio stations. 
     
    To download the PSAs and the logos for the project, go to dropbox at http://www.dropbox.com and use the following email and password:
     
    email: sdewees@firstnations.org        
    password: danny7

    If you have any questions regarding this project or need assistance with download the materials, please email Sarah Dewees at sdewees@firstnations.org.

  • 19 Feb 2014 1:24 AM | Anonymous

    Revised 2013 Application Due Dates and Modified Funding Opportunity Announcement 

    The due dates for the Fiscal Year 2013 Assets for Independence (AFI) applications have been revised to:

    • March 25, 2013
    • May 24, 2013

    The January 25, 2013 application due date has been removed. Applicants who were planning to submit proposals in early 2013 are still strongly encouraged to do so.

    As always, applications for AFI funding can be submitted any time through grants.gov. Due dates for applications refer to the last day that an application may be received for consideration under the next scheduled review.

    Modified Funding Opportunity Announcement

    A modified Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) was released on December 5, 2012. Changes in the new FOA include:

    • Revised point structure
    • Explicit request to demonstrate experience with allowable asset categories
    • Modest revisions to the evaluation criteria

    More detail on the modifications and the new FOA are available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2011-ACF-OCS-EI-0137. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the modified FOA to ensure their application is responsive to the evaluation criteria. The estimated total funding and expected number of awards for 2013 has not changed.

    Did you know?

    Applicants can register to receive notifications of any changes to the grant opportunity by visiting the AFI opportunity synopsis page on Grants.gov.

    If you have any questions about planning your 2013 AFI proposal, contact the AFI Resource Center at info@IDAresources.org or 1-866-778-6037.

  • 17 Feb 2014 1:24 AM | Anonymous

    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Heather Rademacher Taylor
    503.968.150
    Heather@ONABEN.org

    TULSA, OK – April 3, 2013 – ONABEN, A Native American Business Network and leader in native-centric business training, is excited to work with Cherokee Nation Businesses to execute an Indianpreneurship® “Train the Trainer” session Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30, from 9am to 4pm at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa.   

    Cherokee Nation Businesses is generously sponsoring the event through donation of the event space and refreshments, including breakfast and lunch

    ONABEN will conduct two days of interactive training and small group work covering the basic philosophy underlying the Indianpreneurship® course and experience. The organization will introduce best practices in classroom facilitation and instruction and utilize discussions and peer information exchange. Participants will walk-through selected lessons of the text and be introduced to tips on running their
own small business program. This 2nd Edition of the Teachers Guide is new and improved with timed exercises, colored tips and lesson tools throughout the text.

    Designed for aspiring and newly established entrepreneurs, Indianpreneurship® offers a uniquely engaging and interactive curriculum developed by ONABEN that teaches valuable business lessons in a culturally accessible way for Native American individuals. ONABEN has been serving native entrepreneurs and communities for 22 years, and for the past decade has been an active consultant to dozens of tribal organizations of all types and sizes throughout the country. The organization’s curriculum is taught at organizations nationwide and studied in university programs. This event provides a significant level of understanding of the Indianpreneurship® curriculum and how it should be taught so new trainers can effectively educate with confidence.

    “In a world of one size fits all, Indianpreneurship distinguishes itself from other curricula because of its dynamic cultural approach to business training and the fact that it is based on years-long experience with the unique needs of Native communities,” said to Veronica Hix, Executive Director for ONABEN. “Our instruction allows new trainers to bring expertise back to their communities and further improve the knowledge and skills of their people."

    To reserve a space at the training, contact Veronica Hix at 918.431.4630 or Veronica@ONABEN.org. Registration is $550, which includes a student and teacher’s edition text, and is needed by April 21 to ensure enough class materials for all participants. For more information, please visit www.ONABEN.org or contact Heather Rademacher Taylor at 503.968.1500 or Heather@ONABEN.org.

    ONABEN is a 501(c)(3) corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and was created in 1991 by four Oregon Indian tribes to encourage the development of a private sector on their reservations.  ONABEN provides curriculum, training and organizational consulting focused on developing entrepreneurship in Indian communities.  ONABEN serves Indian business development organizations and entrepreneurs nationally through its Indianpreneurship curriculum.  The group is driven by its mission to assist Native Americans build assets by realizing the dream of owning their own business. 

    ###

  • 15 Feb 2014 1:25 AM | Anonymous

    On April 2, 2013, ONAC sent a message to ONAC constituents and friends asking what financial education events they were providing in April, as it is National Financial Literacy Month.

    Here are the responses we received:

    1. The Oklahoma Homebuyer Education Association (OHEA) is holding a 5-day train-the-trainer for certifying homebuyer education specialists in Edmond, Oklahoma, on April 22-26, 2013. “OHEA Certified Homebuyer Education Professionals are authorized to provide homebuyer education certificates for USDA Rural Development loans, Federal Home Loan Bank Set-Aside Programs down payments, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency administered lending and down payment products, etc."

      The cost is $425.00. 

      To access the online registration form, please go to: http://www.homebuyereducation.info/trainsessions.htm or call (405) 949-1495 to register. 
       

    2. First Bank & Trust Company, with locations in Duncan, Waurika, Healdton, Ardmore, and Norman, Oklahoma, has offered to provide financial education to interested tribes or tribal programs, etc.  If you would like to speak with them about this offer, please contact: Shannon Truax, AVP-Audit Manager, at (580) 255-1810.  She may also be reached at struax@fb247.com.
       
    3. Several active Native financial education programs in the state are continuing to provide their financial education classes in April but do not have additional events scheduled. 
       
    4. ONAC serves Native communities in Oklahoma.  As there are only several Native asset-building coalitions nationally, we also have what we term “ONAC Friends” who we may communicate with about Native asset-building programs through emails and peer learning calls.   One such “ONAC Friend” is the Sac & Fox Financial Literacy Committee in Iowa.   They responded to our message and sent the following information.  It is good to know what our friends offer their Native communities so we can learn from each other about various Native asset building models and best practices.

      In April, the Sac & Fox Financial Literacy Committee (including their partner, Pinnacle Bank) is providing the following:

      • April 3, 10 & 17 - Evening classes for all enrolled members and descendants for 3 nights teaching “Building Native Communities”. We are providing meal and childcare for those who want to attend plus a $50 gift card if the member completes all 3 sessions.
      • April 22 - Junior/Senior seminar for those enrolled members who are about to receive their Minors Trust fund. We talk about taxes, what triggers a distribution, how to pay less taxes, peer pressure and etc. We have a panel of prior recipients to help with the presentation. We also are giving a $50 gift card to those who attend and school also offers additional math credit if they attend.
         
    5. The Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center wrapped up America Saves Week less than a month ago and are planning a Knowledge Is Power Resource Fair that will be held each Friday in May.  The Resource Fair will target Cherokee Nation employees and they are providing a host of workshops each Friday throughout the day.  Some examples of workshops that related to financial education are:
      • Accessing Your Credit Report (will be held in a computer lab and an instructor will walk participants through utilizing www.annualcreditreport.com; after accessing the report, staff will be on standby to go over each individual’s credit report in depth)
      • Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University orientation
      • Pay Day Lending Dangers
      • Eat Better Spend Less (a workshop hosted by the Small Business Assistance Center and the Food Distribution Program
      • Negotiating with Creditors
      • Energy Conservation (joint workshop hosted by the Small Business Assistance Center and the Cherokee Nation Environmental Office
      • Understanding Your Credit Score
         
    6. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering their Emerging Leaders Program in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  The classes begin in April 2013. 

      The seven-month executive leader curriculum includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant and provides the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities. Classes focusing on Native American Small Businesses will be held in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.”  You do not have to be a recipient of SBA to be eligible.  This program will assist Native small business owners in running their business.  There is no cost for the program-it is paid for by the SBA. 

      The SBA recommends that anyone who is interested in the program make a telephone contact (before completing paper or online application) with:  Tim Jeffcoat at 405-609-8020 or Cindi Carter at 405-609-8018.  They would be able to explain the program and answer questions.

      • Below is a press release about the program.

        Release Date: February 21, 2013

        Contact:

        Larry Weatherford, 405/609-8012

         

        Larry.Weatherford@SBA.gov

        SBA Emerging Leaders Class Builds Success for Native American Business

        Developing a plan for growth and creating the professional networks that lead to business success are two of the outcomes created by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Emerging Leaders class according to graduates of the training program.

        James Ryals, President of Arnold Electric, credits the Tulsa Emerging Leaders program with helping develop his business by encouraging him to focus on things his company was doing but maybe wasn’t tracking or lacked procedures for. It also provided important contacts with the Corps of Engineers that later resulted in Arnold Electric bidding on and securing an important contract at Tinker AFB.

        “It showed us how we were progressing rather than waiting until the end of the year to see if we made money,” Ryals said. “It focused more on running my business than simply working. It gave us the networking contacts and confidence to grow our business.”

        The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched its 2013 Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative, formerly known as e200, in 27 cities and communities across the country. Since 2008 the initiative has trained more than 1,300 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and continues to expand its impact helping small businesses grow and create jobs.

        Mark Masters, President of Chloeta Fire, LLC., points to the Oklahoma City Emerging Leaders program as a turning point in his efforts to turn a good idea into a good business.

        “I knew a lot about wild land firefighting but I was not a business person by any means,” Masters said. “I look at the e200 program as the launching point for us. If it had not been for the e200 program then I’m certain we would not have achieved the level of success that we have had.”

        Masters was named U.S. Small Business Administration National Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012.

        “Oklahoma is fortunate to have two locations offering the Emerging Leaders Program,” said Dottie Overal, Oklahoma SBA District Director. “This is a great opportunity for our Native American small businesses to create a plan for growth that will propel them to the next level of success.”

        The seven-month executive leader curriculum includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant and provides the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities. Local recruitment for the 2013 training cycle started February 1 through SBA district offices, and classes are scheduled to begin in April. Classes focusing on Native American Small Businesses will be held in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

        Small business owner interested in joining the 2013 class should contact Cindi Carter at the SBA, 405/609-8018.

        We appreciate the feedback you sent us. If others have information they want shared about their financial education activities during National Financial Literacy Month, you are welcome to send them to Christy Finsel at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org. Thank you!

    7. A Native American Business Network (ONABEN) is working with Cherokee Nation Businesses to provide an Indianpreneurship® “Train the Trainer” session Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa.   To reserve a space at the training, contact Veronica Hix at 918-431-4630 or Veronica@ONABEN.org.  Registration is $550.00, which includes a student and teacher’s edition text, and is due by April 21, 2013.    If you need a discount, contact Heather Rademacher Taylor at heather@onaben.org.

    8. Northeast Oklahoma Community Action Agency (NEOCAA), PO Box 603, Jay, OK 74346, is offering “Indianpreneurship,” a class designed to help those wanting to start their own businesses beginning on April 17 at 7:00pm at the Ottawa Tribe Longhouse near Miami, OK.  The class will meet for 6 sessions (2 to 3 hours in length).  There is no charge for the class.  Please call the Ottawa Tribe at 918-540-1536 for directions to the Longhouse.  For further information about the class, contact Julia Teska, Job Development Specialist, NEOCAA, at 918-25304683, ext 157. 

      We appreciate the feedback you sent us.  If others have information they want shared about their financial education activities during National Financial Literacy Month, you are welcome to send them to Christy Finsel at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org.  Thank you!

  • 13 Feb 2014 1:27 AM | Anonymous

    This and other Oklahoma State University news stories related to agriculture, family and consumer sciences, rural development and youth development are available via the Internet at http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/ by clicking on the “Latest News” or “Division News” listings.  The financial advice column "Ask Dr. Per Cap" is available for ONAC Constituents through First Nations’ website at www.firstnations.org/askdrpercap. 


    Financial advice column points readers in right direction

    By Leilana McKindra

    STILLWATER, Okla. – Ever wonder how to set up a budget or better control your spending habits? If so, consider checking out Ask Dr. Per Cap, a financial advice column aimed at answering these and other money related questions.

    “The more we understand money management principles, the more control we have over our finances. The Ask Dr. Per Cap column provides some great advice that will help you find and stay on the path to financial wellness,” said Eileen St. Pierre, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension personal finance specialist.

    The column was originally designed for tribal citizens who receive per capita payments. However, only about 20 percent of the Native American population in the United States receives these payments, primarily from gaming revenues and dividends from natural resources leases.

    The column not only tackles issues unique to the Native American community, but also explores topics that apply to a broader general audience.

    The main website is www.firstnations.org/askdrpercap.

    Ask Dr. Per Cap offers advice to per capita recipients on topics such as how to avoid financial scams and the best ways to turn down friends and family members looking for “loans.”

    “Some of the lessons specific to per capita recipients also could be helpful to anyone who received funds as part of recent federal court settlements with the Native American community,” St. Pierre said.

    Other columns deal with general financial topics such as the best strategies for building up your savings and avoiding payday loans and overdraft fees.

    Recent entries explored the risks associated with high-interest refund anticipation loans, ways of taking control of your finances and tactics for successfully managing your credit.

    Readers can submit questions to the column by emailing askdrpercap@firstnations.org.

    The Ask Dr. Per Cap column is funded by the First Nations Development Institute with assistance from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

    For more information about sound money management practices and related classes, contact your local county Extension office.

    ###

    Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.

     

    REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
    Leilana McKindra
    Communications Specialist
    Agricultural Communications Services
    140 Agriculture North
    Oklahoma State University
    Stillwater, OK 74078
    Phone: 405-744-6792
    Fax: 405-744-5739
    Email: leilana.mckindra@okstate.edu

  • 10 Feb 2014 1:27 AM | Anonymous

    Uniform Commercial Codes: Bringing Business to Indian Country

    Sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, and the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis, San Francisco and Kansas City.

    • November 13, 2012            Oklahoma City, OK            Courtyard Hotel Downtown
    • January 15, 2012                Elton, LA                            Coushatta Tribe Multi-purpose Building
    • February 21, 2013              Albuquerque, NM               National Indian Programs Training Center

    This popular training session is being held in cities nationwide, and is coming to Oklahoma City for one day only.   This event will also be offered January 15, 2013 in Elton, Louisiana, and February 21, 2013 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    In this FREE workshop, you will learn what secured transactions codes are, why they are important for accessing business and consumer capital, and how they can help to advance Native American business development as well as economic development opportunities for tribal nations. Tribal leaders and business managers, tribal judges and attorneys, tribal economic developers and planners, entrepreneurs and commercial lenders all will benefit from this workshop.
    To find out more and to register for the workshop, go to:  http://www.frbsf.org/community/resources/2012/0605-Uniform-Commercial-Codes-Bringing-Business-to-Indian-Country/index.html  

    There is no charge for this workshop, but space is limited so register early.   Please reply to this email if you have questions.

    Hotel Information for the Oklahoma City workshop:
    Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
    2 West Reno Avenue
    Oklahoma City, OK 73102
    1-800-321-2211

  • 09 Feb 2014 1:28 AM | Anonymous

    The Navigating the Changing World of Consumer Credit: 2012 Financial Education in Oklahoma Conference will provide financial educators, advocates and teachers throughout Oklahoma information on the changing landscape of consumer credit with a focus on exposing common misunderstandings and deepening knowledge about credit and debt.

    When:  November 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Where:  Moore Norman Technology Center, South Penn Campus, Oklahoma City

    By attending this conference, you will gain:
    - Understanding of the history, context and the provision of consumer credit in the U.S.
    - Information on new programs related to credit building and debt management,
    - Skills and tools for addressing a broad range of credit repair, credit building and debt management needs of your clients, and
    - New contacts with other financial educators.
     
    Confirmed Speakers include:
    - Gail Hillebrand, Associate Director of Consumer Education and Engagement at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
    - Dr. Louis Hyman, Assistant Professor at Cornell University and author of Debtor Nation: The History of America in Red Ink
    - Nick Bourke, Director of the Small Dollar Loans Research Project at The Pew Charitable Trusts
     
    Who Should Attend:  Financial educators, teachers, bank and credit union staff, United Way and charitable foundation staff, business and civic leaders and individuals interested in improving financial education opportunities for Oklahomans.
    Sponsored by:  The Oklahoma Jump$tart Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Oklahoma City Branch

    Online registration coming in September at www.kansascityfed.org.

    For more information, please contact Steven Shepelwich at steven.shepelwich@kc.frb.org or 405-270-8675.

  • 07 Feb 2014 1:29 AM | Anonymous

    Join us for a certification training on the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum. This two-day training will provide an overview of the curriculum and training techniques. The training will be interactive and will provide educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively teach financial literacy in Native communities. It will also provide a forum for teachers who are already teaching personal finance courses to share some of their experiences from the field.

    The goals of this event are:

    • To introduce instructors to the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families financial education curriculum.
    • To review financial education techniques and tools using the Building Native Communities curriculum.
    • To network and share insights on Native financial education programming. 

    Who should Attend:
    Financial education trainers, high school teachers, tribal financial professionals, Native CDFI professionals, community development specialists, and investment advisors who work with Native communities, etc.

    Building Native Communities Financial Education Curriculum Train-the-Trainer Event 

    Location:
    Northeastern State University  
    Small Business Development Center
    Library Building, Room 205
    3100 E New Orleans Street 
    Broken Arrow, OK  74014 

    Start Time 
    8:30 a.m. Wednesday October 24th 

    End Time 
    4:30 p.m. Thursday October 25th

    Registration Deadline 
    Wednesday, October 17th

    Accommodations:  Participants should make their own hotel accommodations if needed at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott. We have blocked off a number of rooms at a discounted rate for the training.

    TownePlace Suites by Marriott
    2251 N Stone Wood Circle 
    Broken Arrow, OK  74012 
    1-918-355-9600

    Please Book Room Under Room Block: FNT (First Nations Training)

    Government Employee Rate: $81.00 per night

    Group Rate: $89.00 per night for a studio king suite, $89 for a two-queen studio, and $99 for a two bedroom suite.  To receive the group rate, rooms must be booked by October 15, 2012  

    Agenda: Please click here for the Agenda

    If you have any questions, please call Christy Finsel at (405) 401-7873 or contact Ben Marks of First Nations Development Institute at bmarks@firstnations.org or 540-371-5615

    For those flying into Tulsa, if you need shuttle service, please contact Christy Finsel at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org.

    To register for the event, please go to: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5855/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=49960.

  • 06 Feb 2014 1:33 AM | Anonymous

    The Choctaw Asset Building Program will be offering two separate webinars in September.  They have invited ONAC constituents to participate. 

    The first webinar will be held on Tuesday, September 11th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CDT.  "During this webinar, business owners will learn how to find and secure government contracts."  The presenter will be Ronald DeGiacomo, Bid Assistance Coordinator for Kiamichi Technology Centers.  To register for that webinar, please go to: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/showReg?udc=7vs8g16ighym.

    The second webinar will be held on Thursday, September 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CDT. "This webinar will help business owners find and secure tribal and local contracts."  The presenter will be Mackie Moore, Bid Assistance Coordinator for Indian Capital Technology Center. To register for that webinar, please go to: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/showReg?udc=pjswxrlrkqc1.

    For further information, please contact Choctaw Asset Building at 866-933-2260 or go to their website at www.choctawcab.com.

Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition 
(405) 720-0770

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