Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

In 1953, farsighted tribal leaders in the northwest formed the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), and dedicated it to tribal sovereignty and self—determination.  Today, ATNI is a nonprofit organization representing over 50 Northwest Tribal Governments from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, California, and Montana.  ATNI is an organization whose foundation is composed of the people it is meant to serve – the Indian People.  Information about ATNI can be found by visiting their website:  http://www.atnitribes.org.

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation

As member tribes increasingly expressed a need for economic development, ATNI established the Economic Development Committee, whose mission was “to help tribes achieve economic parity.”  The early work of the ATNI Economic Development Committee focused on developing tourism, investigating energy as a catalyst for tribal economic growth, and developing policy around transportation issues.

In the mid-1990s, leaders of the committee sought funding to realize the goals of the ATNI Economic Development Committee.  The operations of the committee were growing, and the need for increased management efficiency was apparent.  In 1996, the idea of evolving the ATNI Economic Development Committee into a formal organization was presented.  The new organization would work with tribes to provide economic opportunity and would be guided by a board of directors that would oversee program operations. With support by the ATNI executive board, Resolution #96-17 was adopted to form the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation (ATNI-EDC).  The organization was recognized under ATNI resolution #96-77.  The ATNI Economic Development Committee is still an active body, and has strong ties to ATNI-EDC.

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Financial Services

As ATNI-EDC rolled out operations, the establishment of a revolving loan program became a high priority.  In 2001, ATNI-EDC established the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Revolving Loan Fund (ATNI-RLF), and began making loans to tribes and entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow a business.  In 2003, ATNI-RLF became a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).  In 2008, ATNI-RLF changed its name to Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Financial Services (ATNI-FS) to reflect the broad range of financial services that the organization offers above and beyond lending.  Today, ATNI-FS operates as a subsidiary under ATNI-EDC.