Saving by Lumbee Indians: Toward a theory of financial practices from yesterday and today

This dissertation is designed to gain insight into the motivations, values, practices, and norms of saving in American Indian tribal communities, specifically the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. How Lumbee adults living in the community save financial resources, what they are saving for, and how those resources are spent are examined. Further, intergenerational messages on this topic are investigated. The main research question is what explains saving and building financial assets by Lumbee Indians? The aim is to identify common experiences in American Indian households that can inform a grounded theory of saving for this population. Grounded theory is used to identify constructs and develop a theory of saving for the Lumbee Indians. The study utilizes Talking Circles (a traditional form of tribal group sharing similar to focus groups) to elicit American Indian views and experiences on this topic. A supplemental survey is administered to Talking Circle participants. The intent is that this research provides valuable information to policy makers, practitioners, and tribal leaders regarding how saving is (or is not) practiced by the Lumbee, to inform programs and policies designed to facilitate saving and building financial resources

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites in Native Communities

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites in Native Communitie

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Utilization in Native Communities

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Utilization in Native Communitie

EITC in Indian Country: Moving Beyond the Safety Net to Asset Building

EITC in Indian Country: Moving Beyond the Safety Net to Asset Buildin

Saving for Post-Secondary Education in American Indian Communities: A Geospatial and Quantitative Analysis

A college education is critical to achieving financial stability in the United States. Empirical evidence linking college completion to higher incomes supports this assertion (Bergman, 2006). Every child should have the opportunity to obtain a post-secondary education and achieve financial stability. However, little is known about the practices and behaviors of American Indians when it comes to saving for post-secondary education. This pilot study is the first in this regard. There are two objectives for this study. The first is to assess spatially NC 529 College Savings Plan (NC 529 Plan or Plan) awareness and ownership among American Indian participants in North Carolina. The second is to identify significant indicators of saving for post-secondary education among participants. The indicators tested are income, child education expectations, homeownership, and credit card debt. Data for this study is from an 18-question survey instrument designed to learn more about saving for college among American Indians. The sample consists of 107 American Indian adults living in North Carolina. Findings indicate that Plan awareness in tribal and urban Indian communities is low. There is a relatively high degree of NC 529 Plan ownership among sample participants compared to 2007 NC 529 Plan ownership in general. The only significant indicator of saving for college is child education expectations. All other variables are not significant. The finding that income is not associated with saving is itself significant as there is an opposite finding in studies with non Native study participants. Policy recommendations and areas for further research are discussed

VITA Sites: Linking Tax Returns and Asset Building Strategies in Indian Country

On an individual and family basis, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has important poverty alleviation characteristics. Few populations or places in the United States are as needful of the dollars provided by EITC receipt as Indian Country. The receipt of EITC will not alleviate poverty in Indian Country alone, but can be a viable start by providing thousands of dollars to families in Native communities. During the two years this project has been underway, more than 9,000 tax returns have been filed at 14 Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites serving Indian Country. The study examined the number of Native community members who are eligible for EITC, the amount of money flowing to Native community members through EITC, potential uses of EITC income, and opportunities to build community infrastructure and programs that could help EITC and other tax dollars remain in Native communities and serve as leverage for further asset building

Dialogues on Assets in Native Communities: Recording a Native Perspective on the Definition and Benefits of Retaining and Building Assets

Dialogues on Assets in Native Communities: Recording a Native Perspective on the Definition and Benefits of Retaining and Building Asset

Saving for Post-Secondary Education in American Indian Communities

Saving for Post-Secondary Education in American Indian Communitie

Project G-7: Building Financial Skills for Indigenous Youth in North Carolina

Report to the Rural Economic Development Center, Inc. 2008 Project G-7 Pilot Study