Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – Tribal community development financing tool under fire

A tool to help finance housing, business, and other community development projects on tribal land is in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs. President Trump’s executive order eliminates funding for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). It’s unclear what the order means in practicality. His budget reduces federal funding for CDFIs by almost $300 million. If the cuts to CDFIs are realized, it could significantly curtail progress on affordable housing, small businesses, green energy, and other projects. GUESTS Jonelle Yearout (Nez Perce), executive director of the Nimiipuu Community Development Fund Pete Upton (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska), CEO and chairperson of the Native CDFI Network and executive director of the Native360 Loan Fund Roxanne Best (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation), business owner Chrystel Cornelius (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), president and CEO of the Oweesta Corporation   Break 1 Music: Intertribal (song) Sweetgrass (artist) Follow the Trail (album) Break 2 Music: Crow Push Dance Song (song) Authentic Native American Music (artist) Authentic Native American Music (album)