Indianz.Com > News > Native America Calling: Government shutdown threatens to close off tribal financing funds
native america calling
Native America Calling
Listen to Native America Calling every weekday at 1pm Eastern.
Alternate Links: Native Voice One | NAC
Native America Calling: Government shutdown threatens to close off tribal financing funds
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Government shutdown threatens to close off tribal financing funds
Tribal officials are among those pushing back against President Donald Trump’s plan to cut off some $500 million dollars in federal funds used for tribal housing, business development and infrastructure projects.

The National Congress of American Indians calls the action by Trump related to the federal government shutdown “a critical threat to our communities’ economic future.”

Trump’s intended elimination of the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund is the latest blow from the government shutdown that could have series consequences for Native Nations.

Department of the Treasury
The headquarters of the Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. Photo: Adam Fagen

Guests on Native America Calling
Larry Wright Jr. (Ponca), executive director of the National Congress of American Indians and former chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Sherry Rupert (Paiute and Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association, a national organization

Kim Pate (Cherokee, Choctaw, Black Descent), Managing Director for NDN Fund, the community development fund of NDN Collective, headquartered in South Dakota

Dave Tovey (Cayuse/Joseph Band Nez Perce), Executive Director of Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS), a Native CDFI in Oregon

All Episodes on Spotify | More Options