Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program
The Indian College Fund is pleased to announce the launch of its new Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program in response to the significant underrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) in the finance, banking, and investment industries. AIAN leaders in these sectors are needed now more than ever as historical socio-economic disparities for Native peoples continues to grow. The Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship program will broadly support the independent goals of increased representation of Indigenous financial expertise, economic self-determination of Tribal Nations, and the preservation of tribal sovereignty. The Financial Leaders Fellowship program is designed to increase the AIAN financial professional talent pool by directly recruiting and supporting 52 students between 2024- 2028 through multilayered program engagement with an initial goal of 10 student beginning careers in financial services. Fellowship Program success will be enhanced by establishing collaborative relationships with such entities as Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Native financial institutions and firms as well as other strategic partner organizations.
Representation
Native Americans represent less than 0.4% of all professionals in the finance and investment sectors. Of the over 820,600 finance professionals in the U.S. workforce, less than 25,000 identify as AIAN*. Increasing the presence of Native Americans in these sectors fosters a more inclusive and representative workforce that will help meet the needs of Tribal Nations and economies. Increasing the numbers of Native Americans in finance and investment professions who are grounded in their cultural values also creates role models and mentors for future generations. When young Native Americans see successful individuals from their own communities succeeding in the world of business, banking, and finance, it inspires them pursue similar career and leadership paths.
Economic Self-Determination
Tribal Nations have varying degrees of economic development and revenue from tribal enterprises such as gaming, natural resources, government contracting, agriculture, manufacturing in addition to the revenues and services provided by federal grants ad contracts. Native American Tribal Nations also hold over 100 million acres of land across the United States. Many of these holdings, businesses and investments have generated substantial wealth for some Tribal Nations. Yet, due to lack of finance and investment expertise within their own communities, many Tribal Nations and businesses often turn to non-Native firms and individuals who do not have the knowledge of Indigenous histories and culture to guide the management and growth of wealth and resources. Expanding the number of Native American financial leaders will allow Tribal Nations to manage their own resources and investments in a self-determined way that honors identity, culture, and history.
Furthermore, many Tribal Nations face challenges in reaching economic independence because significant poverty perpetuated by entrenched inequities, unjust federal Page 2 of 2 policies, and limited access to quality education. Currently, institutions within the banking, finance, and investment sectors only hold, if at all, a cursory understanding of historical socio-economic disparities experienced by tribal communities and, therefore, are susceptible to allowing negative stereotypes and biases influence how and if they choose to work with Tribal Nations. By strategically developing avenues for Native Americans to enter these industries, we can foster informed and knowledgeable leaders that will influence business and investment decisions that support self-determined tribal economic growth and stability.
Protecting Tribal Sovereignty
The finance and investment industries are crucial to shaping economies and influencing policies. Increasing Native American representation in these sectors creates culturally aware and informed participation in decision-making processes that impact their communities directly. Native Americans bring unique cultural perspectives, knowledge, and values, which help shape financial practices, policies, and laws that respect and preserve tribal sovereignty. Through the Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program, the College Fund will implement a fully supported pathway for Native American scholars who desire careers in finance, from undergraduate through to completion of a graduate degree and career placement. Financial Leader Fellows will complete their educational journey rooted in their identity, connected to their Tribal Nations, fortified with valuable career networks and experiences, and prepared to make a difference for themselves, their families, and Indigenous peoples as a whole.
