community development corporations (CDC)

Image
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

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…

Image
Citizen Potawatomi Nation reverses decline through strong leaders, entrepreneurship

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…

Image
Building better homes in Indian Country

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…