May/June 2012: “Five Cs” Help High School Kids “See”

Our efforts to boost the financial literacy of reservation and Native communities don’t just aim at adults and business people.  They also involve youngsters so they can develop good financial habits at an early age.  At Gallup Central High School in New Mexico, we piloted the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-supported school curriculum called First Nations’ Financial Literacy: Life on Your Own Terms.

First Nations first trained teachers so they, in turn, could competently teach the financial education unit. Our training of teachers was based on our original Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum.

Besides classroom instruction for the students, the kids also enjoyed relevant board games and a field trip to a credit union.  Students who passed the class received a certificate in late 2011. Several remarked on how they especially enjoyed the “Five Cs of Credit” part of the curriculum.  Student Darien Smith, who had not previously had her own savings account, went out and opened one in December 2011 after seeing the value and potential of it through the course.

Another student, Ryan Etsitty, wrote:  “I love how in-depth this course has gone to provide me with knowledge I can use throughout my life.”  This reaction aptly illustrates how our efforts to increase the financial capability of Native youth contribute directly to First Nations’ overarching mission.

When it comes to financial education, First Nations and its subsidiary, First Nations Oweesta Corporation (a community development financial institution), work with Native American tribes and communities to launch financial and investor education programs. Our projects range from helping individuals and families understand the basics of financial management – opening and maintaining a bank account and using credit wisely – to helping individuals understand financial markets and a variety of financial instruments for borrowing and saving.

First Nations Development Institute believes that learning how to manage finances ensures that our people will be more likely to save and to challenge financial service providers to develop products that respond to their needs.  Our programs result in increased investment levels and economic growth in Native communities.

You can help First Nations Development Institute with similar worthy programs through your financial support. Thank you!