The Native Learning Center (NLC) offers free Training and Technical Assistance to Native Americans and those working within Indian Country. Our training promotes the essentials of The Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) for Tribal members and their communities. The NLC is a model activity program of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STOF) Housing Department, and was established in cooperation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Eastern Woodlands Office of Native American Programs (EWONAP) in 2008.
The Native Learning Center develops curriculum that achieves the primary objectives of NAHASDA supports the EWONAP’s mission of promoting the development of Native housing and housing related activities. The NLC’s housing related training opportunities and resources support the critical growth and improvement of quality of life for Tribal communities while providing participants with best practices that can be shared with their communities.
Our unique and trainings support the primary objectives of NAHASDA, which include but are not limited to:
- Promoting affordable housing activities to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing in safe and healthy Native communities;
- Ensuring better access to private mortgages for Native American Tribes and their Tribal members;
- Promoting self-sufficiency of Native American Tribes and their Tribal members;
- Coordinating activities to further economic and community development for Native American Tribes and their Tribal members;
- Promoting development of private capital markets in Indian Country and allow such markets to operate and grow.
The NLC established in October 2008, as a Model Activity program of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STOF) Housing Department. In cooperation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Eastern Woodlands Office of Native American Programs (EWONAP) and various Native American trainers throughout Indian Country, the NLC developed curriculum that achieved the primary objectives of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), which supported EWONAP’s mission of promoting the development of Native housing and housing related activities. In March and April 2009, the NLC conducted a series of Needs Assessment Surveys throughout Native communities, and invited Native Americans to convey needs that they faced in their Tribal Communities.
In November 2009, the NLC conducted its first training that focused on Sustainable Design, Financial Wellness, and Grants Education. The courses were developed and designed to address issues received through feedback of the surveys. The NLC fostered the environment with highly motivated Subject Matter Experts to ensure that quality of content was achieved.
Looking Toward the Future
The Native Learning Center will continue striving to be a recognized resource for training program that develops housing related training opportunities focused on areas that are critical to the improvement and self-sufficiency of safe and healthy Tribal communities. The NLC continuously develops and responds to NAHASDA related trainings and technical assistance programs, remaining diligent to ONAP program guidance and utilizing subject matter experts in Indian Country. The NLC will also seek to create a nationally recognized Native Train-the-Trainer Program, enhancing e-learning platforms to adjust with emerging training technology, and utilize our anticipated state-of-the-art training facility in Hollywood, FL to expand access to Housing related training in Indian Country.
As the NLC continues to grow, we also welcome strategic partnerships with subject matter experts in housing related topics along with Native entities and other organizations that will share and enhance our vision to promote safe, healthy, and self-sufficient Tribal communities for all Native Americans.