By Bobby “Trae” Trousdale, Grants and Finance Coordinator

At the end of October, your Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC) had the opportunity to attend the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) 41st Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. OFN is an intermediary and organizer of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the United States. Institutions carrying this certification face unique challenges and opportunities when compared to traditional depositories such as banks. CDFIs can provide extra assistance, analyze financial documents and considerations differently, and carry more financial risk than a bank. Our CPN Tribal leaders established both institutions to support our people, creating a rare and unique approach to collective and individual economic development.

At OFN’s inaugural convening, less than $25 million in assets were managed across Turtle Island by CDFIs. OFN shared this year that their members now manage more than $40.1 billion in total assets. Among this impact and impressive amount are numerous Native CDFIs. In rural, urban and suburban settings, Indigenous people continue to be one of the most un-/under-banked demographics. Challenges navigating today’s diverse and intimidating financial services compound with historic exclusion from these systems, lack of education and financial literacy, and divestment from rural areas, as well as unjust redlining in many forms among communities of color, create a hostile environment where we must redress harm and envision bright futures. Focused on Indian Country specifically and blending capital and culture, Native CDFIs are the fastest growing subset of the industry and were continually referenced throughout the convening as exemplary organizations. Indigenous resilience and brilliance are apparent but remain challenged by misunderstandings of Native Nations’ sovereignty and our trust and treaty obligations with the United States that must be affirmed and exercised daily.

For fellow politicos and news nerds, you may have pieced together that OFN’s convening occurred in D.C. during a government shutdown and following a RIF (Reduction in Force — or a governmental pink slip) notification to all federal employees affiliated with the CDFI Fund. The CDFI Fund is/was the nonpartisan department established by Congress to administer a funding and certification process central to our understanding of the industry. The CDFI Fund is one of those rare bipartisan success stories that amplifies the U.S. government’s investment 8:1, meaning $8 in private sector investment are unlocked for each $1 of public funding spent according to former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Program areas for the fund include the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program and New Markets Tax Credits Program — all of which have deployed to the benefit of CPN. Unfortunately, as you read this article, the CDFI Fund staff, in its entirety, may be relieved of duty as of Dec. 13, 2025, to align to this presidential administration’s priorities. CPCDC and our elected officials have been actively engaged in the advocacy work necessary in newest battlefield: bureaucracy.

Regardless, our work at Community Development — and at Native CDFIs across the country — continues. To quote an Anishinabek relative from OFN’s Native Gathering Day: “We will get through this…because we don’t have a choice!” We will continue to equip CPN’s economic development, we will continue to support Indigenous businesses, and we will continue to serve our Nation’s citizens and employees. CPCDC’s portfolio is the largest in Indian Country and we’re honored to serve our people nationwide. Additionally, other Native CDFIs that may also be able to assist in serving you exist in all but two of CPN’s legislative districts. From Anchorage to Bangor and Miami to Kalaheo, we encourage you to connect with your legislator to see what programs, services and connections in your local area we can, and would be happy to, make.