Red Feather Development Group | Bozeman, MT
"I was drawn to Red Feather because of their hands-on approach.
Efforts that emanate from the grass roots are often
some of the most effective and creative."
- Robert Redford
Established in 1995, Red Feather Development Group is an independent, nonreligious, nonprofit organization that employs volunteer humanitarian action to empower American Indian communities, foster cultural understanding, and contribute grassroots solutions to the enormous challenge of improving the dire housing conditions of our nation's reservations.
Through partnership with American Indian families and communities, Red Feather educates and empowers 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 by organizing volunteers, and, alongside tribal members, building desperately needed homes.
Of the 2.5 million tribal members living on American Indian reservations, more than 60 percent are either homeless or live in over-crowded, substandard conditions. Many homes lack running water, electricity and sanitation. In fact, Native Americans suffer the highest rates of poverty and unemployment of any ethnic group in America.
Thousands of individuals share Red Feather's sense of urgency and proactive 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's why each new homeowner is responsible for securing a home mortgage to cover the material costs of the home. To support this process, Red Feather provides each family with financial literacy seminars, construction training, design services and construction management, and volunteer crews that donate sweat equity on each home. This results is a nearly 60% savings on the overall cost of building a home.
Once a project is complete, there is ongoing collaboration between tribal homeowners, tribal housing authorities and Red Feather, as each home serves as an example of how to create a beautiful, affordable home - and offer hope to tens of thousands.