FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONGMONT, Colorado (December 15, 2011) – The Peter B. and Adeline W. Ruffin Foundation (Ruffin Foundation) recently awarded First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Oweesta) a grant of $25,000 to strengthen Native American economies and improve financial education skills among indigenous peoples. With support from the Ruffin Foundation, Oweesta will continue support economic development in Native American communities throughout the United States.

“The ongoing support of the Ruffin Foundation continues to be vital to Oweesta’s efforts to build and grow Native American economies,” shared Jon Panamaroff, the President & CEO of Oweesta. “We are fortunate to have long-term supporters like the Ruffin Foundation who are committed to seeing successful economies and communities in Indian Country.”

This grant will allow Oweesta to provide training, technical assistance (TA), investments, research and advocacy to help Native American communities develop an integrated range of asset-building products and services including financial education and financial products. 

About First Nations Oweesta Corporation
First Nations Oweesta Corporation is an independent subsidiary of First Nations Development Institute dedicated to growing the Native Community Development Financial Institution industry. The launch of Oweesta has directly contributed to the availability of needed debt capital in tribal communities. For more information, visit www.oweesta.org.

CONTACT:
Jon Deacon Panamaroff, President and CEO
(303) 774-8838
jon@oweesta.org  

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