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Wisconsin Statewide Native Market Study

We value your opinion! Help WINLF provide financial education and funding to support Native homeownership and entrepreneurship in Wisconsin.

Native artist, Native entrepreneur,

If you are a

and/or

current or potential homeowner in Wisconsin,

WINLF wants to hear from you!

Introduction to the WI 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 is undertaking the Wisconsin Statewide Native Market Study to document Native homeownership and entrepreneurial experiences in Wisconsin. The project aims 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 has 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.

Questions?

WINLFsurvey@winlf.org or (715) 588-1600

Survey Details

This survey is available to individuals and families who are enrolled members or documented descendants of enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe and who reside in the state of Wisconsin. The survey has two sets of questions depending on the types of financial resources, services and counseling that you are interested in.

Native Families Seeking Homeownership

WINLF wants to document tribal member access to and experience with home loan institutions, learn about your top barriers to homeownership, estimate your home loan preparedness, and anticipate your preferred timeline to purchase a home.

Share your experiences to help WINLF prepare loan products that will help you purchase a home and design homeowner education curriculum that meets your needs.

Small Business Owners
and Native Artists

WINLF wants to document the challenges and opportunities Wisconsin Native artists and individuals interested in small business loans face accessing supportive resources.

Use your voice to help WINLF prepare loan products and design small business development education curriculum that will help you start and operate a successful business including to purchase supplies and access markets for your products and services.

USE YOUR VOICE

〰️

USE YOUR VOICE 〰️

Meet Your Wisconsin Native Artists and Entrepreneurs

  • 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.”

    Visit website

  • 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

    Email Chris

  • 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

    Facebook: All My Relations

  • 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.”

    Facebook: Partners In Grime Cleaning Services LLC

  • 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

    Facebook: Ikes Place Coffee

Share Your Story and Get Featured

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • The survey will include 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.

  • The survey should take between 15 and 30 minutes to complete, depending on the questions you decide to answer.

    For example, answering both the homeownership and small business questions will take longer than answer either half of the survey alone.

  • Yes.

    Each survey respondent will be entered into a series of raffle drawings to win prizes worth between $100 and $500.

  • The responses you provide will remain anonymous and your name will not be collected as a part of this survey. All of your responses will be held and kept confidential unless you authorize WINLF to contact you about loan product and educational training services. Your eligibility for services or assistance cannot and will not be impacted by your answers or by your refusal to participate.

    The data from this project will only be reported as a collective, combined total, and no one will have access to your individual information.

  • The purpose of the survey is to collect accurate information about Native households and residents in Wisconsin. WINLF will use the data collected in this survey to develop products and services to meet your needs and to make decisions about WINLF’s priorities for the future.

    WINLF will share the results of the survey at the conclusion of the surveying period.

Project Partners