Community Development Programs

Through Community Development, Ameritribes desires to see God use Native people to provide for the needs that exist in their own communities.

A cultural perspective fostering an attitude of inadequacy and a history of relationships with outsiders that has contributed to dependency often hinder the healthy, self-sustaining development of communities. Generations of spiritual bondage also contribute to the overall problem.

Opportunities

portable saw millIn conjunction with spiritual transformation, Ameritribes seeks to develop viable opportunities for those committed to overcoming these problems.

Community development projects have included a portable sawmilling program to help a community maximize its forest resource; several small woodworking shops which produce a number of wood products, including packing crates and furniture; and a craft collective, organized to buy indigenous crafts and sell them to outside markets.

Programs for Financial Independence

In order to avoid dependency and promote God-dependence, Ameritribes offers business development programs based on micro-finance principles which involve the use of a revolving loan fund.

Ameritribes has also successfully introduced the concept of a “rotating savings and credit association” in one community. Under this plan a group of people who trust one another pool their money regularly to provide a lump sum for one of their members. This member now has the needed resources to improve his living conditions or purchase a large item that would normally be unattainable given his regular income.

During the next cycle of giving another member receives the pooled money to use as needed. This continues until all members have received their lump sums. In this way, members of the body of Christ are seeing God provide for them through their own resourcefulness, labor, and each other. This fosters individual dignity and a growing confidence in God’s provision.