About Us
Our Members
Working together, WIHEDC's four Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) coordinate and leverage resources to maximize access to loans, training and counseling to best serve Wisconsin Indian Country – both on and off federally recognized reservation communities.
Through collaboration, the WIHEDC is working to build a strong, vibrant economy for Native American individuals, families, businesses, Tribal enterprises and communities by offering affordable lending opportunities and technical assistance in Wisconsin.
WIHEDC Members work collectively to bring millions of dollars to Wisconsin Indian Country from corporations, foundations and government programs to deliver our continuum of loan products and capacity building development services to Native individuals, families, businesses and communities.
In 2021, the WIHEDC began work to organize as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our articles of incorporation were finalized in early 2022.
Our new name, the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing & Economic Development Corporation reflects our desire to expand our focus on building financial sovereignty for Wisconsin’s Native businesses, families, Tribal enterprises and communities.
First American Capital Corporation (FACC)
Serves Native American Entrepreneurs statewide, located on and off federally recognized reservations.
Woodland Financial Partners (WFP)
Formerly NiiCaP. Serves the Menominee, Sokaogon and Lac du Flambeau communities and Native Americans statewide.
Wisconsin Native Loan Fund (WINLF)
Serves all Tribal communities and Native Americans in the state of Wisconsin.
Our Mission
The Wisconsin Indigenous Housing & Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
Our mission is to expand Native economic development by building the financial sovereignty of Native individuals, families, Native-owned businesses, Tribal enterprises and communities in Wisconsin.
Key Strategic Partner
Through collaboration, WIHEDC is building financial sovereignty for Native individuals, families, businesses and communities by providing affordable lending opportunities and financial training.
Our status as a Key Strategic Partner with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) makes our work possible.
Our Impact
Together, WIHEDC’s four Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) coordinate and leverage resources to maximize access to loans, training and counseling to best serve Wisconsin Indian Country.
Through June 30, 2024, WIHEDC Members deployed business and consumer loans totaling $50,270,609.
Our Team
Fern V. Orie, CEO
Fern Orie is the CEO of her consulting company, The Matriarch Group. For two years she served as the Chief Programs Officer and Executive Vice President of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships for the Oweesta Corporation, a national Native CDFI Intermediary. For 14 years prior to that, Fern served as the CEO of the statewide certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, a housing, business, and consumer revolving loan fund.
In tandem, she was a co-creator and the first Chair of the Wisconsin Indian Business Alliance. She now serves as the CEO of the re-named organization, the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing & Economic Development Corporation.
Fern has 20 years of experience working in housing and economic development in Indian Country. She is a strong advocate and very active in the Native community and economic development field regionally and at the national level. Additionally, Fern serves on the Board of Directors and Loan Committee of Bay Bank, a Tribally owned bank in Wisconsin. Ms. Orie was appointed by the Governor and serves on the Governor’s Council for Financial Literacy and Inclusion. She also serves on several Boards at national and state levels.
In 2021, Fern was the recipient of the Nan Cheney March for Justice award. She has received various accolades and awards in community development. Fern is an enrolled Tribal Member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
Kim Swisher, Coordinator
Kim is so honored to have been serving WIHEDC since 2017.
As the Coordinator, she assists the CEO and Board of Directors with general administrative and bookkeeping duties, as well as coordinating events and the various activities that WIHEDC hosts.