1-360-594-6004
Previously Lummi CDFI
Mission: "To provide access to education, financing, and asset growth,
in order to improve the prosperity and well-being of Native American families."
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending Receives $1 Million Blended Capital Award
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending Receives $1 Million Blended Capital Award
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending (PNTL) is proud to announce that we have been awarded a $1 million blended capital grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce as part of its $40 million initiative to advance equitable economic development across Washington State.
This significant award will strengthen PNTL’s mission to support Native communities and small businesses by increasing access to much-needed capital and financial resources. With this funding, we will:
• Expand lending programs to underserved Native entrepreneurs, fishermen, and small business owners.
• Invest in sustainable projects that promote environmental stewardship, economic growth, and cultural preservation.
• Partner with local and regional organizations to deliver financial education, training, and support services tailored to the unique needs of Native communities.
The grant is a combination of public and private capital aimed at creating long-term solutions to economic disparities. This funding empowers PNTL to help Native businesses thrive, foster community resilience, and build a stronger, more equitable economy.
“We are honored to receive this award and are deeply committed to using these resources to uplift Native communities,” said Nancy Jordan, Executive Director. “This funding represents a significant step toward building economic equity and sustainability for generations to come.”
PNTL Helps Fisherman Reel in His Big Dream
An Excerpt from Tribal Business News - Sept 11, 2024
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Anthony Henry has been fishing in the Salish Sea — the water that spans Washington state's Puget Sound — for his entire life.
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"It's my passion, it's what I grew up doing," he said.
A citizen of the Tulalip Nation, Henry grew up in and out of the foster care system and never knew his biological father. In his early teens, a family member who worked as a commercial fisherman took him in; Henry began fishing and quickly fell in love with the trade. He saw that the money was good and the schedule allowed for more freedom than a typical 9-to-5 career.
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As a young adult, Henry continued to work on commercial fishing vessels, but he had a vision of owning a boat one day and running his own operation.
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"I finally said, 'Ok, I'm going to set this goal,'" Henry said. "I want to accomplish my dream that I always dreamed of — of owning a nice, big boat.”
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Today, with support from Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending, a Native CDFI, Henry is living his dream as he takes to the sea as captain of his own commercial fishing boat, the 32-foot Juggernaut.
Hy'Shqe Gloria Point
It was an honor celebrating Gloria Point's retirement. We are grateful for the time and talents she brought to our organization. We wish her many blessings on the new adventures life brings.
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending Welcomes Fred Eningowuk as Director of Lending
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending, (previously Lummi CDFI), is pleased to introduce Fred Eningowuk as our new Director of Lending.
“After a nationwide search we are pleased to find our Director of Lending within our own house,” states Rex Rhoades, PNTL Board Chair. “Fred has served Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending with honor, dignity, and integrity during his time on the Board of Directors. As our lending goals expand, we are excited to keep Fred within our organization as he will lead our lending expansion into the future.”
Fred brings his extensive background in professional financial and management experience to this position where he will oversee the management of our lending programs and loan portfolio. He will work directly with our Native clients to assist in the preparation, evaluation, and closing of applications.
“My desire and intentions are to serve tribal individuals and families and utilize my managerial and fiscal experience to help them develop economic prosperity,” says Eningowuk. “I strive to provide a perspective that encompasses a broad view in not just the decision-making process, but to ensure we’re well-versed in matters that impact the tribal community in preserving our valued traditions and culture.”
Fred has served as the PNTL Loan Committee Chair and on the PNTL board as Board Treasurer since 2016. He’s a tribal member of The Nome Eskimo Community (NEC). He comes to PNTL from Northwest Indian College where he served as Basic Food Employment Training (BFET) Director as a champion to help students enroll in certificate programs that prepare them to immediately enter the job market.
Fred renews his energy by playing basketball, running, and hiking, as well as fishing, crabbing and hunting wild game. He’s an advocate on the Lummi Reservation helping youth focus on healthy lifestyles and suicide prevention. In his additional time, he volunteers on several Native-focused committees including the Sitnasuak Native Corporation, Nome Eskimo Community, and Kawerak, Inc, a regional Tribal non-profit agency.
Welcome to the team, Fred!
LUMMI CDFI PROGRESSES TO BECOME “PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIBAL LENDING”
October 2, 2023 - Lummi Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) has undergone a name change, it is now Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending (PNTL), a Community Development Financial Institution.
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PNTL originally began within Lummi Indian Business Council’s Development Authority in the early 2000s. The organization focused on serving tribal small business and entrepreneurs after a need for access to capital was recognized for Native businesses and individuals, as well as a need for families to establish and build credit for financial wellness based on traditional, cultural and community values.
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To date, over 1,500 Native entrepreneurs and individuals have been served through Lummi CDFI lending products and/or technical assistance and one-on-one coaching. Nearly $6.5 M has been deployed to almost 400 Native entrepreneurs and individuals. These small businesses and community members are working to improve the economic opportunities for generations.
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“There has been a growing demand for access to financial tools and resources beyond Lummi Nation,” states Rex Rhoades, PNTL board chair. “While the entrepreneurs and community members of Lummi Nation will continue to be our priority, our mission includes support of all of the first peoples of the Pacific Northwest.”
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This expansion strengthens the opportunities and shared prosperity for Native entrepreneurs, individuals, and families within the Lummi Nation, Whatcom County, and northwest Washington. It is an exciting time for change and growing our network.
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PNTL remains classified as a Native CDFI and 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. We will continue to be a trusted resource and provide access to education and capital for Native communities in northwest Washington.
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As a Native CDFI we offer a safe place for tribal members who are considering entrepreneurship, building a business, and/or strengthening their credit through providing access to education, financing, and asset growth with the goal of improving the prosperity and well-being of Native American families.
2023 SBA Excellence Award
On May 3, 2023, Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC) and Lummi CDFI were honored with the SBA Excellence Award for our work advocating for and creating a path to qualify Native treaty fisherman for the SBA PPP loan program in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Henry Cagey, Lummi Nation Councilman, Rex Rhoades, Lummi CDFI Board Chair, and Nancy Jordan were invited as Kerrie Hurd's guests and had no idea we were going to be honored. This was an incredible achievement during a very challenging time and was possible by working with Kerrie Hurd, SBA District Director, members of LIBC Council, including Henry and Treasurer Cliff Cultee, and our staff at the Lummi CDFI, Laura, Gloria, Deb, and Adib.
This experience also paved the way for a stronger relationship between the SBA and Native CDFI's. Thank you Kerrie and SBA for this special recognition and for creating an ongoing dialog and listening sessions for even more opportunities!
US Treasurer Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba and Treasury's CDFI Fund Director, Jodie Harris, visit Lummi CDFI and Lummi Nation
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Lummi CDFI was pleased to host, along with Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC), a site visit with US Treasurer Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba who is also the 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe and Treasury's CDFI Fund Director, Jodie Harris.
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Chief Malerba and Director Harris met with Lummi CDFI and LIBC leadership to learn about the investments being made in support of Lummi small businesses. They also learned from Native entrepreneurs and toured Gooseberry Point, Salish Village, Te'Ti'Sen Center and Squalicum Harbor.
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Support provided by Treasury and the CDFI Fund was gratefully acknowledged. These resources have helped establish many opportunities for Lummi enterprises and Native small businesses. Lummi CDFI and LIBC also advocated for continued dialog to better understand the needs and challenges faced in accessing capital that can make a difference in increasing the well-being of Native American families.
2023 Native CDFI Network "Difference Makers" - Lummi CDFI
https://nativecdfi.net/blog/2023/03/02/interview-37-nancy-jordan-lummi-cdfi/
The Native CDFI Network (NCN) developed the “Native CDFIs: Difference Makers for Indian Country” interview series to cast a much-needed spotlight on the many positive benefits that Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) create for tribal communities and the leaders who help make Native CDFIs the transformational success stories they are.
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In this latest edition of “Difference Makers,” NCN sits down with Nancy Jordan, who serves as Interim Executive Director of Lummi CDFI (LCDFI), a certified Native CDFI based in Bellingham, Washington. Launched as a state chartered non-profit entity fiscally sponsored by Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC) in 2006, LCDFI was certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a CDFI in 2008 and Community Development Entity in 2017. LCDFI was established to address the local community’s significant needs for access to capital for Native-owned small businesses, and for Native individuals and families to establish and build credit and financial wellness based on traditional, cultural, and community values. LCDFI obtained IRS designation as a 501c3 non-profit in 2012 and officially separated from the tribe as a stand-alone entity in 2017.
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