The Muscogee Nation has been providing financial literacy education to the summer youth participants for the past two summers. This program was made possible through a partnership with Tinker Federal Credit Union and financial literacy modules produced by the Creek Nation. This year, the Nation is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to bring the financial literacy modules to upcoming Summer Youth Program participants.

A ‘train the trainer’ event for the summer youth staff was held March 6 at River Spirit Casino Resort to help prepare for this year’s program. MCN will continue its partnership with Tinker Federal Credit Union for the financial literacy education classes presented during orientation and MCN’s annual financial literacy day.

Principal Chief James R. Floyd provided opening remarks to the group and discussed the importance financial education and making wise decisions.

“Tinker Federal has been a great partner in the educational classes they have been providing and we are excited to continue working with them,” Elijah McIntosh, Secretary of the Nation and Commerce said. “For the second part of our offering, we believe this partnership is going to strengthen the financial literacy modules we have been offering. With the additional resources the Federal Bank of St. Louis is providing we believe this will be huge benefit for the financial literacy education we have been offering.”

The financial literacy curriculum was developed specifically for Muscogee youth by the Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis through collaborations with the Nation’s Department of Commerce, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), as well as Youth Services.

In addition to general banking and financing, the Federal Reserve Bank provides free financial and economic education to the public, as well as training to educators such as the Nation’s Summer Youth Program.

The curriculum will provide the Summer Youth participants with skills such as interviewing tips, money saving techniques, as well as education relating to income taxes, credit lending criteria and more.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Economic Educator Megan Cruz said it’s critical to provide financial literacy at a young age because studies show money habits develop in children as young as seven years old.

Cruz, an Osage tribal member, noted the significance of educating Native American youth, specifically.

“When you think in the context of a tribe, it goes further than the impact I would say it has on other populations because our youth are our future tribal leaders,” Cruz said. “So, we’re helping them to become better stewards of tribal assets. It’s really kind of two-prong benefit, one for their own personal life and family; and then for their tribe, as well.

Youth Services will also be providing a mobile computer lab for the youth to access the Federal Reserve Bank’s online portion of financial literacy tools, which includes testing that tracks each youth’s progress.

ETA Youth Coordinator Mia Hoskison shared the importance of providing the Nation’s youth with financial and economic education.

“Financial literacy is a critical component of life skills development,” Hoskison said. “With so many of Mvskoke youth choosing to continue their educational and career paths, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation holds a responsibility to prepare them for their future and the financial decisions ahead. Our hope as a department is that the knowledge gained through our financial literacy modules will enable Native youth to develop their money management and goal setting skills and prepare them to make wise financial decisions.”

More information regarding the Summer Youth Program is available on the Nation’s website at: www.mcnnsn.gov/services/education-training/employment-training.