Wisconsin Statewide Native Market Study
Expanding access to capital and strengthening economic opportunity for tribal and Native communities, with a mission centered on advancing financial empowerment, homeownership, and entrepreneurship.
Introduction to the Statewide Native Market Study
Wisconsin Native Loan Fund (WINLF) is a certified Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Lac du Flambeau, WI. Our mission is to improve capital access, financial health, homeownership, small business opportunities and economic development, thereby increasing the financial well-being of Wisconsin Native families and communities. WINLF serves tribal members and descendants who reside in Wisconsin by deploying home loans, consumer loans and business loans, and providing financial education and counseling.
WINLF undertook the Wisconsin Statewide Native Market Study to document Native homeownership and entrepreneurial experiences in Wisconsin. The project aimed to collect data that accurately represents Native communities in Wisconsin and fill any existing data gaps surrounding access to financial resources for homeownership, business development, and the creation and sale of traditional arts and crafts. WINLF also set out to identify and understand the challenges and opportunities in the Wisconsin Native lending space to account for future needs within the three primary pillars of community development that WINLF serves. Ultimately, WINLF will utilize the compiled and newly collected data to help support and promote the sustainable delivery and growth of WINLF’s products and services, particularly for home loans and for small business loans generally and to Native artists as a subset of that group.
Native Families Seeking Homeownership
WINLF wanted to document tribal member access to and experience with home loan institutions, learn about the top barriers to homeownership, estimate home loan preparedness, and anticipate preferred timelines to renovate, purchase, or build a home.
Sharing your experiences helps WINLF prepare loan products that will help tribal members purchase homes and design homeowner education curriculum that meets your needs.
Small Business Owners
and Native Artists
WINLF wanted to document the challenges and opportunities Wisconsin Native artists and individuals interested in small business loans face accessing supportive resources.
Using your voice helps WINLF prepare loan products and design small business development education curriculum that will help tribal members start and operate successful businesses including to purchase supplies and access markets for products and services.
Meet Wisconsin Native Artists and Entrepreneurs
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Michael “Laughing Fox" Charette
is a gifted Native American storyteller, poet, and member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (located in Northern Wisconsin). As a self-taught Native American flute player, he enhances his stories with hauntingly beautiful flute music. Growing up surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior led him to dedicate his gifts as an artist to educating about Native American history, culture, and ways of life. My artist style is 3D design, working primarily with dreamcatchers as a symbol of cultural pride.
“I wish there were more story telling workshops within tribal communities that will inspire teachers, educators and leaders to incorporate Native American traditions into teaching. Our history contains stories that are needed to teach about the world, one’s place in it and the importance of community and respect for nature to connect each generation to our ancestors and shared past to make sure our history is not lost.”
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Chris Basina
is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and owner of the Hog & Herring, a local indigenously owned and operated catering company providing a memorable experience in the heart of the Chequamegon Bay. As a chef, Chris creates from his multi-generational cooking heritage of Anishinaabe family where he uses seasonal, local and regional ingredients to make dishes that reflect his passion and love for food and the bounty of earth.
Email: cjbasina@gmail.com
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Tabatha Thundercloud
is a graduate of the College of Menominee Nation, where she attained her associate’s degree in business administration in addition to holding a certificate in Small Business Entrepreneurship. Tabatha has utilized her education and artistic skills to create her own business that intertwines Indigenous culture and language with modern styles and products. Respectively named All My Relations, it is an Indigenous owned and operated online gift shop that features handmade products
representing her cultural heritage through her art, designs, and use of natural materials. Tabatha is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation, and it is with a good heart, mind, and spirit shares that positive energy with others.Email: thundercloudtl@yahoo.com
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Hailey Skenandore
is the owner of Partners In Grime Cleaning Services LLC- offering residential and custodial professional cleaning services to the Oneida Nation and surrounding areas. “I started Partners In Grime during COVID, after unexpectedly losing my previous job. Like many others, I was forced to pivot quickly to support my family. What began as "side hustle" turned into a purpose-driven business built on hard work, reliability and community trust.”
Partners In Grime was created with a deep passion for keeping spaces clean, safe and welcoming for my community. We proudly service key places within our community, including residential homes and important commercial and environmental spaces. Clean spaces matter. They support health, productivity and peace of mind. and that belief drives everything we do.
Despite being a very small team of just three people, our business has grown steadily through referrals, strong relationships and consistent quality. One of my biggest milestones was being recognized with Best of the Bay, which remains my greatest win. That recognition meant everything- not just as a business owner but as an Indigenous woman entrepreneur proving that small, community-rooted businesses can thrive.“I hope my story encourages other Indigenous entrepreneurs to take the leap, bet on themselves, and know that success is possible. Even when it begins in uncertainty.”
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Brittany Gordon
is a Red Cliff Tribal Member and the owner of Ike's Place, a mobile, drive-up coffee trailer proudly serving the Red Cliff Community. We bring fresh brews, warm smiles, and local flavor to wherever you are. Ike's Place is about to become your go to spot for tasty refreshments and good vibes! Check out Ike's Place on Local by Toast: https://toasttakeout.page.link/5zHk.
Email: Ikesplacellc@outlook.com
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Christopher Sweet
is a contemporary Native American artist, born and raised in Wisconsin. Sweet is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and is also White Earth Ojibwe through his father. Christopher has been artistic all his life and is mostly self-taught. He is fine art painter, creating original acrylic on canvas, cradled board and recycled cardboard. Sweet is also known for his site responsive murals and interpretive signage. As a self-taught artist, Christopher is motivated through experimentation with different techniques, styles, and materials.
“As a Native Entrepreneur, it's important to just get started and know that things will fall into place. I wished I would have pursued art as a career earlier on in life. Take a chance on yourself!”
Email: bluebearartstudio@gmail.com
Share Your Story and Get Featured
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The survey included questions covering a range of topics, including:
The number of adults and children who live in your home.
Your individual demographic information such as your age, race, educational attainment, and employment status.
The type and condition of your housing unit.
Financial preparedness including your individual total annual income and your household’s total annual income.
Your interest in and barriers to homeownership.
Your access to small business resources including supplies and materials for arts and crafts.
Your loan application history and outcomes.
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On average, the survey took between 15 and 30 minutes to complete, depending on the questions respondents decided to answer.
For example, answering both the homeownership and small business questions took longer than answer either half of the survey alone.
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Yes.
Each survey respondent was entered into a series of raffle drawings to win prizes worth between $100 and $500.
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The responses provided will remain anonymous and names were not collected as a part of this survey. All responses will be held and kept confidential unless respondents authorized WINLF to contact them about loan product and educational training services.
The data from this project will only be reported as a collective, combined total, and no one will have access to any individual’s information.
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The purpose of market study is to collect accurate information about Native households and residents in Wisconsin. WINLF will use the data collected from the survey to develop products and services to meet the needs of tribal communities statewide and to make decisions about WINLF’s priorities for the future.
Project Funding
