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WASHINGTON — The Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) on Thursday applauded the naming of An Unlikely Solution as a four-time winner at the prestigious Hollywood International Independent Documentary Film Awards. The film, which explores how innovative Native American tribes are offering consumers access to installment loans and other financial service products over the internet, was named a winner in the Documentary Feature, Narration, Editing, and Music Score categories. The film is available online for free at AnUnlikelySolution.com.
“An Unlikely Solution tells the powerful story of the necessity and opportunity for e-commerce in Indian Country,” said Barry Brandon, Executive Director of NAFSA. “Tribal online lending entities not only help tribes by generating revenue for critical social services, they also benefit consumers who have been shut out of the traditional banking system. We’re thrilled that this film and the important issues it raises have been recognized by the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Film Awards.”
An Unlikely Solution documents the successes and challenges of geographically isolated tribes who, lacking traditional business opportunities, have found an economic lifeline in the internet. Struggling to otherwise generate revenue for essential tribal government services such as healthcare, nutrition assistance, elder care, and education, these entrepreneurial tribes began offering installment loans to consumers over the internet. These loans are a saving force for the millions of underbanked Americans who have been shut out of the traditional banking system and cannot otherwise access credit when they need it most.
The article has been written by Levi Rickert and republished with permission from Native News Online.
