American Indian Report - June 2008 - (Page 24)

YO U T H “Poverty is Not a Part of Our Culture” Addressing financial literacy in Indian Country By Kimberly Hayes FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, tribal leaders came together in Washington, D.C., to tackle the growing need for financial education training in Indian Country at the Native Financial Education Coalition’s (NFEC) Annual Policy Briefing on April 30, 2008. This event commemorates April as Financial Literacy Month and serves as the touchstone for collaboration on expanding financial literacy among tribes. At the briefing, NFEC identified strategies for policy advocacy, outreach and training regarding financial education needs, which the group said is an important vehicle in moving Native communities away from a cycle of poverty and dependence. AIR explored these recommendations in a Q&A with Elsie Meeks (Oglala Lakota), chair of NFEC. NFEC is a partner with the First Nations Development Institute/Oweesta, of which Meeks is the President and CEO. Air: National studies reveal low financial literacy levels of Native youth, so financial education efforts targeting young consumers are especially critical, according to NFEC. Why does NFEC recommend that every child in school be taught financial education and be tested? Meeks: By the time people are ready to buy a home or start a business, they don’t have financial management skills or are already in trouble with creditors. Starting young helps it to become part of their general knowledge. 24 June 2008 American Indian Report Elsie Meeks. http://www.nfec.info http://www.firstnations.org http://www.firstnations.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - June 2008

American Indian Report - June 2008 Contents Ethics & Standards of Conduct: Governing Work Habits of Elected Officials Congress: Activity on the Hill Catching Up with the Curve Grants: Police Equipment Assistance from the Federal Government The Pottery Project Neighbors Helping Neighbors Where They Belong Spreading the Word “Poverty is Not a Part of Our Culture” Strategic Planning: Step 1 — An Assessment of Now Saving the Samala Language

American Indian Report - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.