Page 13 - November report 2023

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHOLARSHIP REPS’ MEETING REPORT
OCTOBER 6, 2023
ATTENDEES:
Aaniiih Nakoda College – Kristi Syvertson, Lori Owens
Alaska Pacific University – Hilton Hallock, Laurie Evans-Dinneen
Diné College – Sharonna Yazzi-John, Mariah Thomas
Fort Lewis College – Steve Elias, Melissa Mount
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University – Kim Revoy, Jessica Wagner-Schultz Nebraska Indian Community College – Taria Wolfe
Northwest Indian College – Barbara Lewis
Robeson Community College – Valissa Lowery, LaRhonda Lowery University of Alaska - Fairbanks – Cam Carlson, Tammy Tragis-McCook University of North Carolina - Pembroke – Ashley McMillan, Edwin Mensah
Johnson Scholarship Foundation – Bobby Krause, Angelique Albert, Rick Williams, John Glover, Lady Hereford, Sharon Wood, Sherry Salway Black (virtually)
GUEST SPEAKER: Native CDFI Network – Pete Upton
Rick opened the meeting with a traditional prayer. Angelique shared a formal land acknowledgement for our presence on
Salt River Pima land and of the importance of place when we gather.
Bobby welcomed everyone and spoke of the long tradition of this meeting and its importance to the Foundation. He introduced John Glover as a new Indigenous Programs Consultant who will be working with Rick Williams.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Rick and Sharon reviewed the program policy statement and opened the floor to questions.
One person noted the requirement of being a Native American from a federally or state recognized tribe and wondered about descendancy. Rick responded that if their institution recognizes descendants, then the Foundation will rely on the school to follow their own guidelines on this matter.
When asked if computer science classes are considered business classes, Rick responded that they are. He added that all business classes, whether in person or online, are acceptable.
Another expressed that they are seeing a growing number of students who do not meet the school’s financial need eligibility for aid. Rick responded that the policy states that students must demonstrate financial need and must be selected in accordance with the school’s normal criteria based financial aid requirements. The Foundation is firm on these requirements. He, Sharon and Bobby all expressed that the Foundation wants to support students but always defers to the school’s own policies.
NATIVE CDFIs
Sherry, after expressing her regret at not being able to be there in person, explained that the Foundation’s purpose for this time in these annual meetings is to help bring resources in the community to link with the educational institutions. She noted the many organizations that have made presentations at this meeting over the years. Today the focus is on Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) and how to bring the knowledge and experience of the NCDFIs to the schools. In past years, the Foundation has funded collaborations between two schools (College of Menominee Nation and Northwest Indian College) and their local CDFIs for the schools to provide the business training.
Sherry gave a brief history of NCDFIs which are certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. There are now 64 Treasury-certified NCDFIs in 27 states (there have been as many as 72). We distributed a list of NCDFIs so that the meeting participants could see where the nearest ones are to their community. She shared, also, the impressive Impact Data Report from Oweesta Corporation, one of the earliest NCDFIs.
Page 11 HORIZONS