Native Financial Education Coalition
The Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC) is a “movement” to recognize, expand and enhance financial capability in Native communities. Partner organizations include tribes, tribal organizations, national, regional, local Native and non-Native organizations, financial institutions, federal agencies, Congressional offices, and others interested in Native financial education.
NFEC was founded in 2000 as a result of a joint Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Treasury initiative on financial literacy in communities of color. The original Native working group evolved into NFEC and expanded their members and services, supported until 2009 by First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Oweesta). After a period of dormancy, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Oweesta, and many interested partners sought to revive NFEC in mid-2012. Efforts focused initially on consumer financial protection and are now moving forward with a focus on April National Financial Literacy Month.
As the result of a February 2012 survey and a series of NFEC meetings, partners have defined goals to include:
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Bring partners together
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Research and best/promising practices
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Awareness campaigns at all levels
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Community well-being
More information on NFEC coming soon!
April is National Financial Literacy Month
April was officially recognized as Financial Literacy Month by the federal government in 2004. This national effort aims at teaching the general public practical and useful financial tools. This is accomplished by conducting outreach and education efforts through organizing communities, and disseminating information on relevant trainings and curriculum promoting financial education. NFEC, as organization advancing Native financial education efforts, will provide updates throughout the month of April about local tribal centric events and trainings to foster community involvement. Our goal is to establish this as an annual event for Native communities to create a lasting effort around financial literacy training for all ages.
Key activities include:
· Providing a Toolkit for Tribal Leaders (be able to click here)
· Identifying local events at tribal and Native community level
· Identifying best/promising practices
· Engaging Tribal Leaders
Please check back at this website often for updates about local events occurring near you! We will also be sharing success stories and information about tribal practices around financial training from across the country. If you would like to share your stories with us please email nfec@ncai.org and we can post your information on our website.