Native Community Financial Institution formed at Crow Creek

May 18, 2009

A major milestone for The Harvest Initiative and the Crow Creek Reservation was achieved this month when Hunkpati Investments, Inc. was formally created. Hunkpati Investments is in the process of becoming a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) which will serve the Crow Creek Reservation market.

Assisting with the creation of a NCDFI is one of the central purposes of The Harvest Initiative and the creation of Hunkpati Investments is a big step down that path.

Hunkpati Investments currently has an eight member board of directors which is developing the programs and policies that will be the economic development tools used by the organization. Seven of the eight board members are Native American and five of the board members reside on the Crow Creek Reservation. The institution is still being developed, but products are likely to include financial literacy offerings for both adults and youth. Loan products are also being developed.

The Harvest Initiative will continue to provide support and assistance to Hunkpati Investments, Inc. as it develops. Support provided by The Harvest Initiative will include accessing consultation services, facilitating networking opportunities with other NCDFI’s, administrative support, and capitalization assistance.

The Harvest Initiative was founded in 2008 to invest locally in native grown ideas and support socially responsible business development to move Crow Creek Sioux Reservation toward a commercially viable, self-sustaining economic environment.