"This changes everything," Brunsch says, alluding to the fact that tribal members for the first time will finally have access to free or reasonably priced financial services on the reservation. For investors, the power of the multiplier effect means that a $1 deposit can allow the credit union to make four to seven times the deposit in loans, depending on its existing capital.
And in many respects, it will be an historic moment at Pine Ridge.
"The focus of our work was always around Native control of assets," Black says. "It was a brand new idea in the l980s, and a lot of it still is today."
And it frees up Lakota Funds to devote all its energies to its primary mission.
"The asset development work is definitely needed and makes us feel good," Brunsch says. "But at the end of the day, our work better be about business creation. It will only be through new and expanding businesses the Oglala Lakota people will have the means to provide for themselves and their families, through job creation."
A former investment banker, Ellie Winninghoff is a writer and consultant specializing in impact investing. Her stories are linked at her blog, DoGoodCapitalist.com, and she can be reached at: ellie.winninghoff(at) gmail (dot) com.