Seminole Tribe’s Native Learning Center Delivers No-Cost Training to Tribal Communities

Seminole Tribe's Native Learning Center Delivers No-Cost Training to Tribal Communities

The Native Learning Center, established in 2008 with HUD support, advances housing and stability in Indian Country through training and technical assistance programs.

On April 10, 2025, HUD Secretary Scott Turner visited the Seminole Tribe of Florida's (STOF's) Native Learning Center (NLC), a nationally recognized hub providing Native American communities and those working within Indian Country with training and technical assistance in housing development, grant management, organizational leadership, and other areas. In his first visit to Indian Country as HUD Secretary, Secretary Turner underscored HUD's mission to "expand access to affordable, quality housing in all communities — Tribal, urban, and rural." NLC has been part of that mission since 2008, when STOF established the center as a Model Activity Program in cooperation with HUD, the Eastern Woodlands Office of Native American Programs, and Native American trainers in Indian Country. Now in its 17th year, NLC continues to advance housing goals in Indian Country with no-cost webinars and trainings that range from grant management to affordable housing development. 

A Model Activity Program 

Authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), NLC is the second HUD-approved model activity program in Indian Country. Under NAHASDA, tribes can propose affordable housing initiatives, or "model activities," that fall outside typical eligible uses of Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funds but still support the statute's core goals. STOF established NLC and was eligible to receive $1 million annually in IHBG funding from HUD's Office of Native American Programs. As a model activity, NLC is tasked with providing no-cost training and technical assistance that help strengthen housing best practices. The center's curriculum is tailored to tribal leadership and other housing professionals and is aligned with NAHASDA's goal of promoting affordability, self-sufficiency, and tribal sovereignty. 

Training and Technical Assistance 

NLC disseminates no-cost technical knowledge through various platforms that offer opportunities to learn online and in person. In 2013, NLC launched its webinar platform, Kerretv Online, named after the Creek word for "learning." The webinar library includes archived presentations that offer housing staff training on subjects such as asset management and housing maintenance. Tribal executives and leadership can find guidance on strategic planning, governance, and NAHASDA compliance. Financial officers and grant managers benefit from sessions on budgeting, procurement, and audit preparation. NLC also debuted the Hoporenkv Native American Podcast in 2020. Hoporenkv, which is Creek for "wisdom," covers a range of topics that include housing, leadership, financial wellness, and cultural preservation. The expansion of NLC's digital footprint has allowed the program to reach not only tribal professionals but also Native residents including the community's youth.

Grants and Tribal Capacity Building

To address the challenges that tribal leadership faces in navigating the landscape of funding opportunities, NLC created the Grant Opportunities resource on its website as a centralized directory for tribes and tribally designated housing entities. On the platform, users can access updated listings of federal, state, and private grant opportunities that align with the goals of NAHASDA and other tribal priorities. The hub streamlines access to funding information so that Native communities can proactively seek resources that support self-determined development.

In addition, tribal leaders managing the funds of entities that have already secured funding can use hub tools for grant subrecipient monitoring, a comprehensive grants management roadmap, and guidance on navigating federal reporting requirements. NLC's support through the entire life cycle of a grant helps promote economic sustainability for communities across Indian Country. 

NLC's reach and impact through its podcast, webinars, and other digital resources exemplify how model activity programs support the broader goals of tribal sovereignty and sustainable development. HUD's continued investment in NLC affirms the importance of tribally led innovation in housing solutions and independence in Indian Country.