Research and resources for Tenth District tribal nations

The economic activities of Native Nations play a significant role in the American economy. Seventy-four Native Nations make their homes in the Kansas City Fed’s seven-state District. In Oklahoma, for example, the Native American population as a share of total population is about seven times larger than in the nation as a whole^_. The Kansas City Fed has a long history of engagement with tribal governments and Native American communities. It ensures that the Bank is responsive to community needs and considers them in its activities. The following are a few examples of what this engagement looks like in practice:

Investment Connection

Investment Connection matches financial institutions, government, corporate enterprises and community foundations with organizations that have community and economic development proposals that seek an investment, grant or loan. Native American organizations regularly participate in the program.

• Long-term deposit in Native-owned bank spurs investment in Habitat Denver. The Colorado Housing Finance Agency’s External Linklong-term deposit with the Native American Bank laid the groundwork for a $5 million loan to renovate the headquarters for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.
• Sunflower Bank and Native CDFI connect to boost opportunities. Sunflower Bank’s External Linkloan to Native Community Capital supports below-market loans for projects that advance the small business, housing or physical infrastructure needs of tribal economies in New Mexico.

Programs and resources

The Kansas City Fed works with community stakeholders to strengthen local economies and expand opportunities. This is often done through hosting trainings, facilitating convenings, and developing resources such as these:

• Federal Reserve, partners helping meet credit needs of small businesses. The Kansas City Fed brought together regional commercial banks, state economic development officials, small business owners and tribal representatives to learn how External Linkthe State Small Business Credit Initiative can be used in local communities.
• A Borrowing Guide for Tribal Members. Obtaining a loan to build, purchase, rehabilitate, refinance, or get a home equity loan on Indian tribal trust land can be a complex transaction. External LinkThis brochure is intended to help tribal members navigate the process.

Research

The Kansas City Fed conducts research on the regional economy to inform monetary policy as well as community development practice.

• Oklahoma Tribal Area Economies: Rising Incomes, Falling Poverty. External LinkThis analysis outlines the economic progress made by Native Americans across Oklahoma over the past 10 to 15 years.
• Oklahoma’s Rising Labor Force Participation Driven Largely by Native Americans. Oklahoma’s increase in labor force participation since 2021 has been primarily driven by heightened External Linkparticipation among the Native American population, in both metro and non-metro areas.
• Beige Book Report: Kansas City. The Community Development team interviewed representatives of Native Community Development Financial Institutions to inform the development of the External LinkJune 2025 Beige Book, a key input for monetary policy decisions.