Four Bands Community Fund

“The savings part is the experience for me. I used to just spend money right away, but completing the Money in Motion workbook really opened my eyes to the benefits of saving and budgeting while I’m still young..”

Deedrah Seth, 2007 Entrepreneur Intern

Since 2005, Four Bands has pilot tested strategies to plant the seeds of entrepreneurship and money management early. We want our youth to think about entrepreneurship as a potential career route, avoid the traps set by predatory lenders that destroy a person's credit history, and resist the urge to spend away one's paycheck before a check arrives. We want to address factors on the Reservation that encourage poverty and dependency.

We're now adding partners and implementing a program called Wicoicage Sakowin kin un Wicakagapi: Building for the Seventh Generation. We're excited to have our area schools as a partner in this program. Starting in September 2007, Four Bands will work with Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools and Tiospaye Topa School to implement money management and entrepreneurship education. In the 2008-2009 school year, we'll expand into two more schools.

As part of the Wicoicage Sakowin kin un Wicakagapi program, Four Bands is partnering with local businesses, tribal departments, and nonprofit organizations to provide youth entrepreneur internship experiences Entrepreneur interns will receive hands-on work experiences as they create their own businesses. A portion of the money earned by interns is placed in a savings account that can be used later, by the saver, for educational purposes, to purchase assets or to start a business.

Wicoicage Sakowin kin un Wicakagapi will provide valuable guidance for young people and help prepare them for a successful future that includes long-term employment, financial success, and overall life skills.

For more information about our services for youth, give us a call at 605-964-3687

SERVICES - youth services