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About Us

Our Founding Members

  • Leilani Harpole, Otoe-Missouria FCU

  • Maria Valandra, Clearwater CU

  • Shayna Ferguson, Lakota FCU

  • Lexxi Hunter, Lakota FCU

  • Diane Sandoval-Griego, Guadalupe CU

  • Jon Douglas, Credit Union of America

  • Denise Hudson, Tongass FCU

  • Jade Jordan, Tongass FCU

  • Grant EchoHawk, Tongass FCU

  • Helen Mickel, Tongass FCU

  • Samira Salem, America’s Credit Unions

  • Tom Sakash, Your Credit Union Partne

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Our Story

The Native American Credit Union Coalition (NACUC) was founded by a small group of credit union leaders inspired by a shared vision. The journey began after two founding members attended a convening hosted by Oweesta, a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) intermediary dedicated to supporting Native CDFIs.

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The Oweesta gathering of Native American financial professionals sparked the idea of forming a collective committed to supporting Native American credit union professionals and credit unions serving indigenous populations. The sense of connection and belonging experienced at the Oweesta event inspired the creation of NACUC.

 

The path to establishing NACUC formally began in January 2024 when the founding members held their first virtual meeting. Since then, the coalition has steadily grown, concentrating on developing our mission, purpose, vision, and values. The coalition held our first in-person planning meeting in November 2024, during Native American Heritage Month, at the GoWest Credit Union Association headquarters in SeaTac, Washington.

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The NACUC stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared goal of improving financial services for Native communities across the country.

 Guiding Principles

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Mission

We unite Native American credit union professionals and institutions serving Indigenous populations to advocate and share best practices to strengthen our communities and honor our heritage and values.

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Purpose

The Native American Credit Union Coalition serves to be a resource for credit unions and credit union professionals, to support tribal communities through collaborative efforts.

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Vision

Every tribal nation has a credit union working to enhance the financial well-being of  members.

Our Values

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  1. .Commitment to Community We are dedicated to supporting and building trust in our Native American communities by providing financial services that promote economic growth, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

  2. Cultural Respect and Preservation We honor and preserve our rich cultural heritages by integrating traditional values and practices into all we do, ensuring that our unique identities are celebrated and respected.

  3. Integrity and Transparency We conduct our activities with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and transparency.  

  4. Education and Outreach We work cooperatively to provide resources and education, enabling our members to deliver proven methods for promoting financial wellbeing in our communities.

  5. Collaboration and Unity We foster a spirit of collaboration and unity among our members and with other organizations. By working together, we strengthen our collective impact and build a brighter future for our members and communities.

  6.  Inclusivity and Accessibility We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment where all members can benefit from our services and opportunities.

  7. Innovation and Excellence We strive for excellence in all that we do and continuously seek innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our members and communities.

Newsletters

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Future Newsletter

December 2024

September 2024

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