The Sinte Gleska University/Tribal Business Information Center was awarded a $10,000 Native Youth and Culture Fund grant by First Nations Development Institute to provide culturally-based training in financial education and business development; teachings in traditional arts and culture; and mentoring to support and increase youth leadership on the reservation. The financial education training includes a six-week class geared toward youth and their families that includes topics such as building a healthy economy, financial planning, checking and savings accounts, and understanding credit. For the six-week class, the “Buiding Native Communities: Financials Skills for Families” curriculum is utilized.Additional curriculum includes budgeting, savings and investing, and insurance considerations.
The business development training includes a six-week class geared toward micro-entrepreneurs that includes topics such as business planning, marketing, and accounting.A six-week small business class, the “Indianpreneurship® - A Native American Journey Into Business” curriculum is also being used.The curriculum is story-based, using Native American entrepreneurial experiences as a basis for illustrating business principles.Additional training is offered to include topics such pricing, copyrights, accounting and developing marketing tools. Individual technical assistance will also be available to further develop marketing tools such as business cards, brochures and portfolios.
As a result of this grant, tribal youth will gain financial management skills to prepare personal and business budgets, develop savings and investing goals, and track income and expenses; will learn to develop and manage a business as a group and as individuals; and will learn traditional arts and crafts skills.
Sinte Gleska University/Tribal Business Information Center partnered with the South Dakota State University Extension Office to leverage its ability to provide training for financial education and business development to tribal youth. This concerted effort has provides tribal youth with a sense of place and a more positive and active role in their community.
First Nations’ ability to fund this program was made possible through the generosity of foundation, corporate, tribal, and individual supporters.
