WITAYA Financial Solutions

About

About WITAYA

WITAYA Financial Solutions is a community loan fund — a nonprofit whose job is to lend money to our own people for businesses, credit building, homes, and agriculture, and to keep re-lending that money as it comes back. Standing Rock has no brick-and-mortar bank serving most of the reservation. WITAYA exists to be the institution that fills that gap — owned by no one, governed by its own board, accountable to the community it serves.

Our Name

The meaning of “WITAYA” will be shared here in the words of our family and language keepers. This passage is forthcoming — we will not put words to it before they do.

We are

an independent North Dakota nonprofit corporation, formed in May 2024, created by tribally enrolled Dakota/Lakota citizens, and governed solely by its own board of directors. We are part of the Seven Stones Constellation: Seven Stones Corp is the mission anchor, WITE Development is the asset engine, and WITAYA is the capital engine.

We are not

a tribal government entity, a tribal program, or a bank. We are not chartered by the Tribe and we do not accept deposits. We are Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving — by the citizenship of our founders and board and by the community we lend to.

That independence is a strength. Most certified Native CDFIs in the country are exactly this: independent nonprofits founded by tribal citizens, at arm’s length from tribal government. Accountability comes from our board — enrolled members, community residents, people answerable to the community we serve.

Why WITAYA exists

Across Indigenous communities, access to fair capital remains one of the greatest barriers to economic opportunity. Families and entrepreneurs face limited access to traditional banking, predatory lending, few credit-building opportunities, barriers to small-business capital, and limited pathways to homeownership. WITAYA addresses these directly — responsible small-business lending, homeownership readiness, agricultural and emerging-entrepreneur financing, and credit-building programs — a locally controlled financial engine that circulates capital within the community.

We are not a payday lender — money repaid here is re-lent to the next family.

WITAYA Financial Solutions is an independent North Dakota nonprofit corporation working toward certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund. WITAYA is not yet a certified CDFI. WITAYA’s application for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt recognition is in progress.

Questions & straight answers

Who is WITAYA?
WITAYA Financial Solutions is a nonprofit, Indigenous-led lender being built on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. We make fair loans and pair them with coaching so our people can build businesses, credit, and homes.
Can I apply for a loan today?
You can start today. Pre-applications are open now — a short form that pulls no credit and commits you to nothing. Our first loans are in final preparation, and pre-applicants are first in line when lending opens. Start your pre-application.
Who will be able to get a loan?
Enrolled members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, on or off the Reservation; enrolled members of surrounding Indigenous Nations who've lived on the Reservation or in surrounding communities for over a year; and Native American entrepreneurs across North and South Dakota. As our fund grows, our lending grows outward with it.
Do I need perfect credit?
No. We look at your whole picture, not just a number. The Credit Builder loan is designed to build your credit from where you are.
Are you a bank?
No. WITAYA is a nonprofit community loan fund. We don't take deposits — we lend, coach, and re-lend repayments to the next family.
Are you part of the Tribe?
We are Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving, and we work in partnership with our Nation — but WITAYA is an independent nonprofit governed by its own board, not a tribal government entity. That independence is what lets banks, funders, and federal programs work with us directly.
What is a CDFI?
A Community Development Financial Institution — a mission-driven lender recognized by the U.S. Treasury for serving communities that banks have left behind. WITAYA is working toward CDFI certification. Read more on Our Path.
How is WITAYA connected to Seven Stones?
WITAYA is the financial wing of the Seven Stones Constellation, initiated through Standing Rock Community Development Corporation (Seven Stones Corp). Each institution operates independently with its own governance, aligned in mission. Visit Seven Stones Corp.

How WITAYA Is Governed

WITAYA Financial Solutions was initiated through Standing Rock Community Development Corporation — Seven Stones Corp — as the financial wing of the Seven Stones Constellation, and stands today as an independent North Dakota nonprofit governed by its own board of directors. Governance is the product: a lender is only as trustworthy as the structure accountable for it.

An independent board of directors — majority Indigenous, with independent directors required by our Bylaws — with founding directors seated and additional independent directors being added now

A separate Loan Committee holds lending authority — no loan is approved by any single person

A written conflict-of-interest policy with mandatory disclosure and recusal — a feature of our governance we welcome scrutiny on

A quarterly reporting rhythm with our capital partners from day one

WITAYA is seating its founding independent directors now — leaders with experience in finance, community development, business, housing, education, law, or public service. Interested in board service? Contact us (inquiry type: Board Service).