About Us
Guided by Our Mission. Grounded in Our Story.
Rooted in and serving Native businesses, individuals, and communities in Northwest Washington.
Our Mission
To provide access to education, financing, and asset growth, in order to improve the prosperity and well-being of Native American families.
Our Story
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending (PNTL) began as Lummi CDFI, rooted in the values and needs of the Lummi Nation. Today, we serve Native individuals and businesses across Northwest Washington—while maintaining our deep cultural foundation and commitment to community-led economic development.
We exist because Native communities face persistent barriers to traditional lending and support. We are here to change that.
Rooted in our original work through the Lummi Nation Ventures Program, we helped more than 1,500 Native individuals strengthen their financial foundations and pursue business ownership through micro and small business loans. From the beginning, we have prioritized honoring the histories, cultures, and traditions of tribal nations—ensuring that every journey is respected, and every goal is supported.
Today, we continue that legacy across the Pacific Northwest, creating opportunities that foster economic self-sufficiency, build generational knowledge, and support the growth of Native-owned businesses and communities.
Our approach to lending is rooted in Native-led investing, ensuring every entrepreneur has access to the tools and resources needed to achieve financial success while honoring cultural integrity. We are a long-term partner for tribal entrepreneurs, helping them navigate small business challenges with vital knowledge. By removing barriers for Native entrepreneurs, we ensure tribal businesses can thrive in alignment with sound financial principles and cultural values. We offer tailored access points and provide person-first advice to guide entrepreneurs through each stage of their business growth.
Native-Led Investing
Our approach to lending is rooted in Native-led investing, ensuring every entrepreneur has access to the tools and resources needed to achieve financial success while honoring cultural integrity. We are a long-term partner for tribal entrepreneurs, helping them navigate small business challenges with vital knowledge. By removing barriers for Native entrepreneurs, we ensure tribal businesses can thrive in alignment with sound financial principles and cultural values. We offer tailored access points and provide person-first advice to guide entrepreneurs through each stage of their business growth.
Priority Communities
At Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending, we believe that every tribal member deserves equal opportunity for financial well-being, and we are dedicated to meeting each individual where they are on their unique financial journey. Aligned with the values of the communities and people we serve, we create entrepreneurial opportunities that bring positive change to Native communities.
Over the span of our long history of service under our former name, Lummi CDFI, we built a reputation for respectfully guiding each entrepreneur’s path. Through educational opportunities and guidance, we nurture tribal members and help them lay the foundation for generational knowledge and success, enhancing the quality of life for all our relatives.
Ventures Program
The Lummi Nation Ventures Program, also known as the "Butterfly Book," was a comprehensive initiative designed to create a pathway out of poverty and toward economic prosperity for the Lummi Nation. Supported by the Northwest Area Foundation, the program was deeply rooted in economic development, self-sufficiency, and skill-building principles. One of its key components was a Revolving Loan Fund, which empowered over 1,500 Lummi Tribal Members by providing them with access to micro and small business loans. These strategic financial tools helped tribal members build healthy financial practices, establish self-sufficiency, and create a legacy of wealth.
Though the Ventures Program formally ended in 2016, its vision and legacy live on through PNTL. We continue to uphold the program’s values by offering financial tools that support entrepreneurship, community development, and financial health. PNTL helps tribal members build healthy financial practices and connects them to the resources they need to create something bigger than themselves—bringing multiple generational benefits to their communities. By fostering self-determination and providing relationship-focused advice, we guide tribal members in creating wealth that will benefit future generations.
Empowering Visions, Fueling Success
At PNTL, we are committed to providing access to financial tools and resources that reflect the unique goals and cultural values of Native communities. We offer personalized guidance that respects each individual’s path and supports the growth of tribally owned businesses. By removing barriers and expanding access, we help create lasting economic opportunities for Native entrepreneurs.
Our approach is culturally grounded and community-centered—designed to meet people where they are, support their vision, and build long-term impact across generations.