Unleashing Potential: The Vision of WIHEDC for Native Economic Development

As a pioneering force in advancing Indigenous economic sovereignty, the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) stands where sustainable development and cultural resilience meet. WIHEDC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, partners with four Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to catalyze economic transformation across Wisconsin’s Tribal communities. Together, these CDFIs – Cedar Growth, First American Capital Corporation, Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, and Woodland Financial Partners – act as the pillars of WIHEDC’s mission to build financial sovereignty and homeownership for Native individuals, families, businesses, and Tribal enterprises. 

The Leadership Role of WIHEDC

WIHEDC’s unique leadership stems from its role as a coalition builder and advocate for community-led and empowered change. WIHEDC and the Native CDFIs are all Indigenous-led organizations. This leadership in itself demonstrates the wealth of understanding around the needs of Native communities. 

In addition to providing financial resources and technical assistance, WIHEDC orchestrates statewide initiatives such as Native Business Hubs, small business grants, and its Annual Housing and Economic Development Conference. These efforts underscore the organization’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem where Native-led enterprises can flourish, driving economic growth and self-determination for Wisconsin’s Indigenous peoples.

WI’s First Ever Native Economic Impact Study

In 2024, WIHEDC completed a groundbreaking economic impact study of Indigenous-owned businesses and non-gaming Tribal enterprises in Wisconsin. This first-of-its-kind analysis revealed the substantial contributions of Native enterprises to the state’s economy: 

• $388.3 million in revenue generated by surveyed businesses in 2023.
• $776.8 million in total economic output.
• Creation of 45,029 jobs and $256.3 million in household earnings across Wisconsin.

When projected to include all Indigenous-owned businesses and Tribal enterprises statewide, these figures scale to an impressive $3.58 to $4.83 billion in economic output and the addition of 21,190 to 28,573 jobs. These findings validate the economic significance of Indigenous enterprises and highlight the potential for further growth through targeted investments and policy support.

The Four Pillars: Native CDFIs as Catalysts for Change

WIHEDC’s partnership with four Native CDFIs ensures Native entrepreneurs access tailored financial solutions, including microloans and business development support, creating scalable investment opportunities and ensuring that Native entrepreneurs have the resources needed to thrive. Their collective efforts empower communities to pursue diverse economic activities, reducing reliance on gaming and hospitality while fostering resilience.

What sets WIHEDC and its member CDFIs apart is their unique access to the knowledge base and firsthand experience of Wisconsin’s Tribal communities. This intrinsic understanding allows WIHEDC to identify gaps and craft solutions that align directly with the needs and aspirations of Native individuals and businesses. Such insights are vital in bridging economic divides and ensuring sustainable growth.

Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition

Another transformative initiative spearheaded by WIHEDC is the development of the Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition. This coalition addresses systemic barriers to homeownership within Native communities by advocating for equitable policies and providing access to financial and homebuyer education and resources. For example, each CDFI provides alternative access to funds to help address the inequalities in the distribution of down payment assistance. The CDFIs also offer mortgage lending products for affordable homeownership. 

Homeownership not only stewards economic stability but also strengthens cultural connections and community resilience. By ensuring that Native families can access safe and affordable housing, WIHEDC contributes to the broader goal of financial sovereignty.

During a recent conference, stakeholders highlighted the significant challenges faced by Native homeowners, including access to financing and navigating complex property laws on Tribal lands. The coalition’s efforts include developing partnerships with lenders, increasing outreach about federal and state homeownership programs, and creating tailored financial literacy and homebuyer education workshops. These initiatives are vital in bridging gaps and empowering Native families to build generational wealth.  

WIHEDC prioritizes workforce development for Indigenous people in Wisconsin, creating sustainable job opportunities and fueling long-term economic impact. Creating a circular economy where WIHEDC empowers, trains, and develops a workforce of Native designers, developers, contractors, and tradespeople that allows for every dollar spent on housing to circulate through the tribal community 4-6 times will have long-term positive impacts for future generations. 

The coalition’s upcoming release of a new housing study is a pivotal next step. This study promises to provide actionable insights into the barriers and opportunities of Native homeownership in Wisconsin, further solidifying WIHEDC’s role as a thought leader and advocate for economic equity.

Forward-Thinking Vision for Economic Sovereignty

WIHEDC’s mission transcends financial metrics. It envisions a future where Native communities define their economic destinies, leveraging cultural knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. Key strategies include:

• Integrating Indigenous Perspectives in ESG Frameworks: Collaborating with investors to align sustainability standards with Indigenous rights and priorities.
• Promoting Data Sovereignty: Establishing frameworks that empower Tribes to control and utilize their data for strategic economic planning.
• Advancing Diverse Revenue Streams: Supporting Native individuals, businesses, and Tribal enterprises in the renewable energy, technology, and housing sectors.

Why This Matters

Indigenous economic sovereignty is not merely an ideal; it is a necessity. For centuries, Native communities have navigated systemic challenges while preserving their cultural heritage and values. WIHEDC’s work demonstrates that Indigenous peoples possess the expertise and vision required to lead sustainable economic development, provided they receive equitable opportunities and support.

WIHEDC’s conference on Indigenous businesses also underscored the importance of partnerships between Tribal governments, nonprofits, and private sector entities. Collaborative efforts like those of WIHEDC and the Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition are proving that when Native-led solutions are prioritized, they yield transformative results for communities and the state’s economy.

Call to Action

As WIHEDC continues its transformative work, it invites ethical investors, policymakers, and community leaders to champion Native-led solutions and invest in Tribal enterprises, collectively building a future where economic justice and cultural integrity coexist.

WIHEDC’s pioneering Indigenous leadership and the contributions of Wisconsin’s Indigenous businesses illuminate a path forward for sustainable and inclusive economic development. Together, we can redefine what it means to invest in the future.

 

Article by Fern Orie of the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation and Becky Albert-Breed of Cedar Growth (formerly First Nations Community Financial)

Fern Orie is the CEO of Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC). She has worked in the housing and community development field for most of her career. As a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, she has worked in tribal communities to further homeownership and economic opportunities for Native people. Ms. Orie served as the Executive Director of the Oneida Housing Authority for nearly four years. From there she was the Founder and CEO of the Wisconsin Native Loan Fund (WINLF) for 15 years. WINLF, a statewide Native CDFI and FHLBank Chicago member, focuses on housing, consumer, and business lending and services.

From WINLF, Ms. Orie served in the role of Chief Programs Officer, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships at the Oweesta Corporation, a national Native CDFI intermediary, for two years. In this role, she focused on capacity building, training, technical assistance and the development of programming and strategic partnerships to support Native CDFIs nationwide. Ms. Orie also created a consulting group, The Matriarch Group LLC, in 2023 and began working with Native CDFIs providing technical assistance with lending underwriting, grant compliance, policy development, board governance training and strategic planning. 

In early 2024, Ms. Orie assumed the role of CEO of the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC), a nonprofit 501c3 umbrella organization supporting the four Native CDFIs of Wisconsin. Ms. Orie was one of the co-founders of the organization, which was formerly known as the Wisconsin Indian Business Alliance, when she was with WINLF. Among its many initiatives, WIHEDC is currently developing a statewide/regional native homeownership coalition as part of its strategic plan to increase homeownership for indigenous people. Ms. Orie serves on numerous local, regional and national boards and committees within the field, including the Board of Directors of Native-owned Bay Bank.

Becky Albert-Breed is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, and is the Executive Director of Cedar Growth, a Native CDFI supporting personal growth through access to financing for homeownership, small business, and personal finance. She also serves as the Chairperson of WIHEDC, the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing Economic Development Corporation. With a background in accounting and an MBA, her career spans auditing, tribal government finance, and serving as Treasurer and Business Finance Director for the Ho-Chunk Nation. Becky was instrumental in establishing the Trust & Investment Committee, safeguarding over $500 million in tribal investments. She brings decades of financial expertise and a deep commitment to empowering Native and surrounding communities.