Indigenous Governance Database
community development corporations (CDC)
![This Community Is Striving To Rebuild One Of The Poorest Places In America This Community Is Striving To Rebuild One Of The Poorest Places In America](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/resources/Screen%2520Shot%25202019-06-13%2520at%25201.24.45%2520PM.png?itok=xlgvNp-_)
This Community Is Striving To Rebuild One Of The Poorest Places In America
PINE RIDGE, South Dakota — Alan Jealous, a 27-year-old construction worker, dreamt of building and owning a home. Homeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream. But for this citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation living on the Pine Ridge reservation, a community that regularly tops the list…
![Citizen Potawatomi Nation reverses decline through strong leaders, entrepreneurship](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/2023-03/Citizen%20Potawatomi%20Nation%20reverses%20decline%20through%20strong%20leaders%20entrepreneurship.jpg?itok=yg6OySgV)
Citizen Potawatomi Nation reverses decline through strong leaders, entrepreneurship
The big idea: In recent years, some tribes have reaped huge profits from their gambling operations. Most American Indians, however, are still mired in poverty, unemployment, addictions, ill health and hopelessness. Is there a way to create a better future in Indian Country? The Citizen Potawatomi…
![Building better homes in Indian Country Building better homes in Indian Country](/sites/nnigovernance.arizona.edu/files/styles/resources/public/resources/Screen%2520Shot%25202016-10-06%2520at%252011.12.26%2520AM.png?itok=9T7cW2aI)
Building better homes in Indian Country
There's no other house like it on the Oglala Sioux's 2 million-acre Pine Ridge Reservation: Its walls are insulated by 18-inch strawbales rather than plastic sheeting, and its radiant-floor heating is much cheaper than the typical propane or electric. A frost-protected shallow foundation inhibits…