AKIPTAN
Akiptan is a Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides loans and technical assistance to those in Indian Agriculture. Akiptan offers a whole suite of services that include financing youth, start ups, operating costs and ownership. Our CDFI takes a step further and works with the client to assist with technical support as well as provide financial literacy training to help create a knowledgeable borrower.
UPDATE
Akiptan has officially moved to its home in the new Four Bands Community Fund Incubator. We have been working diligently to provide funding across all of Indian Country. Saying that, Akiptan has successfully reached four Tribal Nations and is excited to expand that number in the near future. Akiptan has recently hired an Indian Ag Finance Intern for the summer. This position will assist in day-to-day operations while learning about the loan process here at Akiptan.
MEET OUR STAFF
Skya Ducheneaux - CDFI Manager
Skya spent her first 18 years of life on a ranch on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. She is a 2017 graduate of Black Hills State University, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She is currently working toward a Master’s in Business Administration from Capella University.
After high school and again after completing her bachelor’s degree, Skya worked for the Intertribal Agriculture Council; first as an intern for 2 summers and most recently as a Project Coordinator, where she was introduced to the Native CDFI world (Community Development Financial Institution). Skya worked diligently to create the first national Native CDFI dedicated to Indian agriculture, which launched in 2018. Skya remains connected to agriculture, just from the other side of the table.
Sha'Teal Pearman - Indian Ag Finance Intern
Sha'Teal is Lakota from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She is currently a senior at South Dakota State University where she is earning her bachelor's degree in Agriculture Business with a Minor in Banking and Financial Services. Sha'Teal Has been involved with Intertribal Agriculture Council for six years now. Since 2013 she has been involved with numerous youth events hosted by the IAC.
In the past year, Sha'Teal has taken the role of treasurer and Great Plains Region representative for the Native Youth Food Sovereignty Alliance, a youth advisory board for the Intertribal Agriculture Council. Sha'Teal is excited to further expand her knowledge within agriculture lending.
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