Member Impact in Focus: Coteau Valley CU Blends Cultural Tradition and Financial Empowerment

Coteau Valley Credit Union may be a $16 million institution, but its impact reaches far beyond its size. After earning CDFI certification, the credit union hired its first Community Outreach Specialist. His Native roots and community relationships help bridge cultural tradition with financial well-being.

One of the most meaningful outreach efforts this year was a budgeting and sewing workshop designed specifically for young girls preparing for cultural events. Traditional ribbon skirts can be costly; fabric, ribbon, thread, and photos quickly add up. Families often shared how these expenses created unexpected financial strain, even though the celebrations themselves brought so much joy.

The workshop blended culture, creativity, and financial education. The girls learned to measure fabric, layer ribbon, and sew their own skirts while also understanding how much each piece costs and how to plan ahead. The moments from the day tell the real story: girls proudly modeling skirts they helped create, focused faces at sewing machines, and connection around shared tables covered in bright fabrics. Their smiles said everything.

This was much more than a class about making skirts: it provided families with tools to plan for meaningful moments without added financial stress. It reflects exactly what Coteau Valley CU stands for as a CDFI: practical support, cultural respect, and empowering the next generation with financial knowledge and confidence.

Above: Girls at work at the Coteau Valley-led budgeting and sewing workshop.