Local and regional awardees, include the following:
• The First Nations Oweesta Corporation of Rapid City, S.D., recieved largest award, for $650,000. The group will use the money to increase lending to its target market, Native American communities across the country.
• The Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Development Agency, in Tomah, Wis., received $149,858 to create a standalone CDFI that will provide mortgage loans and other financing in the Ho-Chunk Nation.
• The Teton Financial, in Rapid City, S.D., received $150,000. It provides closing cost, downpayment assistance, rehab loans and home improvement loans to Indians.
• The Wigamig Owners Loan Fund, in Lac du Flambeau, Wis., received $82,280. It provides home repair loans and down payment assistance to members of the Lac du Flambeau Reservation.
• And the Four Bands Community Fund, of Eagle Butte, S.D., has gotten $649,946. Four Bands provides microloans, small business loans, Individual Development Accounts and other services to the residents of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
In all, more than 15 of the awards involve funds for housing or mortgages.
MN Office of the Secretary of State Open Appointments
The Secretary of State’s Office has vacancies affecting Native communities. Application forms may be found at: www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=5 or applications may be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of State, Open Appointments, 180 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-1299, or in person at Room 180 of the State Office Building. Applications submitted by August 24, 2010. The positions are:
• Positions include the Ombudsperson for Indian Families. Appointing: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. Compensation: None. Vacancies: Two members. The ombudsperson monitors agency compliance with laws governing child protection and placement, as they impact Indian children through work with the courts, court officials, policy makers, service providers, social workers, guardians ad litem, and training. The ombudsperson has the authority to investigate decisions or acts, and other matters of an agency, program or facility via complaints, systems and personnel, or upon personal initiative.
Membership requirements: All five members should be members from the Indian community. Four full board meetings are held each year; and at least six individual community board meetings. Meeting location varies in Twin Cities.
• Urban Indian Advisory Board -Duluth. Appointing: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Board of Directors. Compensation: $55 per diem, plus expenses.Vacancies: One – Duluth Representative. The Advisory Council on Urban Indians was created to advise the Board of Directors on the unique problems and concerns of Minnesota Indians who reside in the urban areas of the state. The council must be appointed by the board and consists of six Indians residing in the vicinity of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Bemidji. At least one member of the council must be a resident of each city. Meeting schedules and locations are not determined and will vary among Statewide locations. MUIAC will meet a minimum of 4 times a year.
Red Cliff Band gets loan from Shakopee to build a new casino
The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin has secured a $23.5 million loan from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community of Minnesota to build a new casino.
The Isle Vista Casino and Hotel will be located on the shores of Lake Superior. It will feature 300 slot machines, eight table games, a 60-seat bar and restaurant, a 24-seat snack bar, a 50-room hotel with a swimming pool, and an entertainment and conference center with a banquet capacity of 300 seats.
The facility replaces a smaller gaming hall on the reservation. Construction is expected to start later this summer or in early fall.
