Representatives from tribal housing authorities and economic development organizations throughout Indian Country will travel to Kansas City at the end of the summer for the 13th Annual Travois Indian Country Affordable Housing & Economic Development Conference. The conference is scheduled for Sept. 16–19 in Travois’ hometown, and will be hosted at the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza. Attendees can expect to hear the stories of successful developments: new and rehabilitated homes for tribal members and economic development projects that have provided desperately needed jobs and services for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
Conference attendees will include tribal housing authority staff (executive directors, occupancy and resident services staff), tribal housing board members, tribal chairmen and women, tribal council members, tribal economic development staff, tribal college presidents, administrators and finance staff, along with tax credit support staff. Attendees can expect to get in-depth information and tips on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, the New Markets Tax Credit program, asset management/compliance, green building, architectural design, inspections, environmental services and more.
Tatanka Means will be this year’s keynote speaker. Means is an accomplished actor, comedian, entrepreneur and equality advocate from Chinle, Ariz., who represents the Oglala Lakota, Omaha and Navajo nations. He is the son of Russell Means, the influential member of the American Indian Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, and he follows in his father’s footsteps as an advocate for equality and advancement for Native Americans. Means will present during Tuesday’s lunch.
Besides conference sessions and presentations, attendees are invited to a range of optional activities: a Kansas City barbeque showdown at the annual welcome reception, 18 holes of golf, a tour of the American Indian art collection at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a night of dueling pianos at the Kansas City Power & Light District, and a trip to Ameristar Casino. To register for the conference, or for more information, click here.
Wells Fargo is the Presenting Sponsor of the 13th Annual Conference. Over the last ten years, Wells Fargo has invested $36.7 million in 17 American Indian community projects in housing and economic development, and has made 224 community development loans totaling $781 million to Native Alaskan, tribal nations and Native American community organizations.