FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Rapid City, SD – NDN Fund, an emerging national Native Community Development Financial Institution, announced a construction loan to Native Movement – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The NDN Fund loan finances improvement of the Nankat Wellness and Resilience Center, an 180-acre land-based healing facility purchased by Native Movement in 2025. This center, located on Lower Tanana Dene lands, located outside of Fairbanks was established as a dedicated space for healing retreats, strategizing, sharing knowledge, hands-on community learning, innovation, and putting “regenerative ways of being” into practice.
The NDN Fund loan follows eight previous grants from NDN Collective to fund Native Movement’s work. This “braided capital” supports Native Movement in its work to build people power through grassroots-led projects that advance social justice, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, LandBack and the rights of Mother Earth.
“This Center embodies the vision of cherished elders and traditional knowledge holders who have dreamed of an accessible land-based center for healing,” said Aurora Warrior, the Lending Officer of NDN Fund. “I applaud Native Movement in making the necessary investments for this healing space to be equitably accessed across all generations and differing abilities.”
“The NDN Fund loan is a critical support in a time most needed,” said Enei Begaye, the Executive Director of Native Movement. “Our Nankat Center has been a vision of our leadership for over a decade, NDN Fund support is helping us make that vision into reality, particularly at a time when we need it the most. The partnership between our organizations is one of genuine alignment and support that makes our broader Indigenous movements strong and thriving.”
“Amid evolving social and climate challenges, Native Movement advances Indigenous organizing through a regenerative investment approach: strategically investing in its own projects, supporting other aligned efforts, and building an ecosystem where this work can grow,” said Kimberly Pate, the Managing Director of NDN Fund. “Nankat will serve as the stronghold for this critical movement infrastructure.”
For more information about the Native Movement visit https://www.nativemovement.org/.
** Photos and interviews available on request **
TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW CONTACT
cabot@ndncollective.org
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The Gwich’in word Nankat means on the land.
NDN Fund exists to shift capital and power back to Indigenous communities by financing sustainable, community-led solutions on Indigenous terms. This directly aligns with supporting organizations like Native Movement and Indigenous organizations nationwide.