Who We Are
Red Feather educates and empowers American Indian nations to create sustainable solutions to the severe housing crisis within reservation communities. While focusing public attention on the intergenerational poverty and acute community development problems that plague American Indian reservations, Red Feather teaches affordable, replicable and sustainable approaches to home construction. Red Feather organizes volunteers, and, alongside tribal members, builds desperately needed homes.
Staff Board of Directors Board of Advisors
Why American Indians?
Of the 2.5 million tribal members living on American Indian reservations, more than 300,000 are homeless or living in life-threatening conditions. Thousands more live in substandard, over-crowded conditions. Many homes lack running water, electricity and sanitation. Elders are often isolated with few options for help should they need it.
How Red Feather Works
Thousands of individuals share with Red Feather a sense of urgency for American Indians living in such conditions. Pro-active tribal members recognize the need for change as well. They’re not looking for a hand-out; they’re looking for an opportunity to build a future for themselves and their nation. That is why each new homeowner is responsible for securing a home mortgage to cover the material costs of the home. Red Feather supports each family by providing financial literacy seminars, construction training, design services and construction management, and volunteer crews that donate sweat equity on each home. This results in a nearly 60% savings on the overall cost of building a home
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American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative
Red Feather believes that in order to reverse the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty and homelessness on American Indian reservations, we must first begin by empowering native families to take the lead role in the betterment of their own communities. Thus, the Red Feather approach builds on the strengths of each tribe's unique traditions and works with all generations to achieve positive family and community development. Using progressive community education and a hands-on approach to construction methods, Red Feather establishes frameworks for long-term self-sufficiency. Red Feather builds homes with, not for, American Indians. Through a long-term commitment with individual communities, individuals gain the skills and confidence necessary to build desperately needed homes themselves. Healthy homes are the foundation young people need to enable them to address the many other important issues facing their lives and their nation.
Red Feather's approach neither begins nor ends with constructing an affordable house. Prior to any project, Red Feather staff conducts informational and educational seminars on the reservation to educate tribal members about sustainable, straw bale construction techniques and community planning. In addition, Red Feather assists tribal members with the complicated mortgage process and collaborates with tribal housing authorities to facilitate individual homeownership. Once a project is complete, there is ongoing collaboration between tribal homeowners, tribal housing authorities and Red Feather, as each home or facility serves as an example for the rest of the reservation community of how to create a beautiful, super-insulated, affordable straw bale home.
Red Feather supporters play a major role in this effort by donating to the American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative. You can be assured that Red Feather makes every effort to be good stewards of the generosity entrusted our organization. Please send all tax-deductible donations to the address below. We thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
Red Feather Development Group
American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative
P. O. Box 907
Bozeman, MT 59771-0907 |
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Red Feather Merchandise
Support our efforts by visiting our online catalog to order exclusive clothing and artwork, as well as our construction handbook, Building a Straw Bale House.
Red Feather Publications (pdf)
2006 Annual Publication
2005 Annual Report
2004 Fall
2004 Winter/Spring
Corporate Partners
Click on the logos below to learn more about our partnerships
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