United States Department of the Treasury (photo: Canva)
This week in Tribal Business News, proposed certification changes to the CDFI Fund could be detrimental to Native CDFIs; a new report examines food sovereignty efforts; and the Whitehouse proposes a boost in funding for Native housing.ย 
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Proposed CDFI Fund certification changes could shut out Native CDFIsย 

The Treasury Departmentโ€™s CDFI Fund recently proposed changes to the CDFI certification application that would nearly shut out Native CDFIs from the fund altogether.ย 

ย Pete Upton, the chairperson and interim CEO of the Native CDFI Network, said Native CDFI leaders are โ€œshocked and puzzledโ€ by the proposed changes.ย 

First Peoples Worldwide highlights role of Native-owned supply chains in food sovereignty efforts

ย Maintaining self-sufficient food supply chains is crucial to avoiding volatile markets and potential future disruptions for tribal communities in the wake of the pandemic, which only exacerbated longstanding food security issues. Thatโ€™s according to a newย reportย by Native-led research organization First Peoples Worldwide that discusses the crucial role supply chains play in keeping Indigenous communities fed and the related economic and business opportunities.ย 

Biden proposes 21 percent bump in funding for Native housing; advocates press for more

After many years of stagnant funding thatโ€™s caused buying power to diminish because of inflation, federal Native American housing allocations have increased in the past couple of years. But with the skyrocketing inflation of the past two years and the ground that needs to be made up from the level funding era, more remains to be done, Native housing advocates say.

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Additionally, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)ย hosted staff from Indian Country Media, LLCย to lead a panel discussion about the Tribal economy and Indigenous culture. The First Nations Trade Missionย concluded its second portion, and Poarch Band of Creek Indiansโ€™ Wind Creek Hospitality inked a sponsor agreement with the Chicago Bulls.