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This story is excerpted from our 2010 annual report. You can read similar articles focused on our work to improve educational achievement or to advance solutions to tough problems in that report.
Rebuilder Daniel Lemm envisions a future when the youth who live in the Lower Sioux Indian Community, where he grew up, have the knowledge and skills to make the best financial decisions for their future. “When I was working for the Community, I looked at kids as they progressed,” said Lemm. “Many of them would come into money when they reached age 18 and again at 21. We weren’t preparing them with the financial management skills they needed.”
Not content to sit on the sidelines, Lemm is now creating and implementing a financial literacy curriculum targeted at teenagers. He’s working on the program in partnership with Dakota Future, Inc., which also engaged Lutheran Social Services to assist in the project. “The financial experts are working on the financial topics, like personal budget and savings,” said Lemm. “I’m building Dakota values and language into the curriculum.”
According to Lemm, the cultural aspect is important because it helps the kids connect to the lessons. “Our way is to lead through examples and experiential learning.” In one module, Lemm asks the youth to work through a Circle of Life exercise, using it to illustrate how saving for education or retirement is similar to how their Dakota ancestors would have harvested in the fall, setting aside food and supplies to enable them to survive the cold, winter months. He’s also translating key terms into the Lakota language in partnership with the nonprofit Dakota Wicohan (way of life).
Lemm is finding support through the Bush Foundation’s Native Nation Rebuilders Program. “I applied as a way to connect with others,” he said. “Part of the experience that’s been huge for me is meeting other people trying to do the same things that I’m doing, and to share ideas and successes. I’m also creating a network outside of the Midwest and seeing what people are doing across the country.” Lemm believes that network may be helpful once the program is launched. “This program is not just for the Lower Sioux, it may be transferrable to other tribal communities as well."
Daniel Lemm, CFE, is associate director of programs for Native Americans in Philanthropy. An enrolled member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community, Lemm is also its former finance director. He was named to the first cohort of Native Nation Rebuilders in January 2010. Read other stories like this in our 2010 annual report.