Celebrating our Native American partners

Each November we celebrate Native American Heritage Month and the cultures and histories of American Indians and Native Alaskans. There are hundreds of individual nations across the United States with diverse traditions, languages and histories.

As part of this month’s celebration, we would like to highlight one of our Financial Choice partners, the Lower Sioux Indian Community (LSIC). The LSIC is a federally-recognized Indian tribe located in southwest Minnesota in Redwood County, approximately two miles south of Morton. The Community Center is located on the southern bluffs of the Minnesota River Valley. Cynthia Zimmer-Robinson, a member of the tribe, shared this exciting news with us:

“LSIC has an on-going financial and treasured business partnership with LSS.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community is weeks away from completion of a business arts incubator building, the Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti, which will:

• Promote arts entrepreneurs into small businesses, business training, culture and language.
• Have a full circle where the youth teach the elders and the elders the youth. 
• Promote a healthy, well-rounded space solution for artists in all areas of expertise to access knowledge of business training and arts growth.
• Provide small business loans to those who venture forward to create their own business.

The building is approximately 16,000 square feet and hosts the following spaces:

• Youth Class Room
• Kitchen Training Class Room
• Commercial Kitchen
• Event Room
• Elder Gathering Space
• Four Offices for Leaders and Teachers
• Pottery Room
• Sewing Room
• Media Room
• Mixed Media Room
• Wellness Room

We have numerous classes, from regalia making to pottery, quilling, photography, videography, computers, meal training and so much more.”

LSS Financial Counseling is excited for LSIC, and we look forward to providing financial education workshops in their new incubator.

We are also grateful to collaborate with Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, another Financial Choice partner. Also referred to as Ojibwe, they have lived in northern Minnesota for centuries, but they did not originate there. The people journeyed from the east coast up the Saint Lawrence River, around the Great Lakes and followed rivers and lakes inland. We appreciate Bois Forte’s efforts to support their members by partnering with us.

Through LSS Financial Choice partnerships, we offer financial education and up to six free financial counseling sessions to individuals and their immediate family members. Working together, we support community members in achieving their financial goals.

Learn more about becoming a financial choice partner!