Success Story Spotlight: Queen of the North Wine Café

Young, Tlingit, and Homeowners — A Journey Rooted in Community

This year, three young men, all tribal citizens and employees of Gastineau Guiding, accomplished a milestone that resonates far beyond real estate: they became homeowners in their ancestral homelands of Southeast Alaska.

Their stories are powerful not just because of what they achieved, but because of how they did it; through word of mouth, community trust, and culturally grounded support from Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation (HYFC). Each came to HYFC at a different point in their journey, but all were met with the same response: “Let’s make a plan and walk this path together.”

De’Andre Jazz King a new father, returned home after years away, working in Anchorage and attending school for aircraft mechanics. “I never thought homeownership would happen this early for me,” Jazz shared. “I always thought I’d have to move away to afford something, but HYFC helped me realize I could build a life right here, where I’m from.”

Jacob Hotch, a long-time mechanic and father of two, emphasized the importance of stability and generational grounding. “Owning a home means my kids have a place they can always come back to,” he said. “That’s what we’re supposed to do, create something lasting.”

Derek Mason, who balances a life at sea with seasonal work as a boat captain, used his varied income to prove that even nontraditional workers can become homeowners with the right guidance. Each of these men leaned on HYFC’s culturally informed coaching, flexible underwriting, and belief in the long-term well-being of tribal citizens.

HYFC is not just a financial institution. It is a Native Community Development Financial Institution rooted in the cultural values of stewardship, self-determination, and intergenerational care. The success of these three young men reflects more than smart lending; it reflects the growing movement of tribal citizens reclaiming economic power in their own communities.

Their journeys show what is possible when financial systems are built with our people in mind. With each new homeowner, we strengthen the future of Southeast Alaska.

If you are ready to take the first step, HYFC is here to walk with you.

Tribal Entrepreneurs Building Success

HYFC has officially closed our first Small Business Loan with Markel’s Collision Center, LLC in Anchorage!

Owned by Michael & Amy Martin, the Martin family is originally from Wrangell, Alaska, and has been serving Anchorage for nearly 5 years through their Native-owned shop. Markel’s Collision Center provides full-service auto body & collision repair, custom paint work, and specialty car restorations. From everyday family vehicles to high-performance builds, their skilled team takes pride in bringing cars back to life.

With support from HYFC, Spruce Root, and Alaska Growth Capital — all Native CDFIs — the Martins are moving fromrenting to owning their shop space. This partnership not only builds equity and stability for the Martins but also strengthens a Native-owned business employing eight people and serving the Anchorage community.

This is what it’s all about — Native CDFIs working together to empower Native entrepreneurs and strengthen our communities through small business success.

Could YOU be our next success story?

HYFC’s Small Business Loan Program is designed to help tribal entrepreneurs start, grow, or stabilize their business. We offer:
Loans up to $500,000
Affordable interest rates
One-on-one business coaching
Workshops to strengthen your business plan & financial forecasting

Contact us today and let’s build your success story together!
907-780-3105 | lending@hyfclending.com | www.hyfclending.com

Crow Hill Ribbon Cutting – Celebrating
Six New Tribal Homeowners

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Douglas Indian Association (DIA), Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA), and Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation (HYFC) came together to celebrate a milestone for our community: the ribbon cutting ceremony for six new homes at the Crow Hill development site in Juneau.

The event opened with a welcome from Jackie Pata, followed by Douglas Indian Association leaders Barbara Cadiente-Nelson and Andrea Cadiente Laiti, who shared the history of DIA and the importance of Tlingit homes in Douglas. Their words reminded us that this project is not just about housing—it is about cultural continuity, community strength, and honoring the vision of our ancestors.

As part of the ceremony, Paul Marks offered a blessing with devil’s club, giving each homeowner this powerful medicine. Devil’s club, long known in Tlingit culture as “good medicine,” was presented to provide peace, prosperity, and protection for each person who will live in these homes.

The program continued with the ribbon cutting, introductions of the homeowners, and traditional Raven and Eagle songs, marking this day as a true cultural and community celebration.

🏡 Homeowner Stories

• Joseph Marks – From graduate student to professor, Joseph balanced a Master’s degree, full-time work, and now a PhD program in Sitka. As he steps into a faculty role at UAF, this home gives him stability as he begins shaping the next generation of Alaskans.
• Robert Sharclane – A single father of three daughters and counselor at Gastineau Human Services, Robert created a safe and stable foundation for his family, showing resilience and dedication to his girls’ future.
• Christina Kadake – A single mom of three, Christina partnered with HYFC’s financial counseling team, paid off all her debts, and even earned a promotion at IGA Foodland. Today, she stands proudly as a debt-free homeowner.
• Amanda Bagoyo – A single mom of two and longtime employee at Catholic Community Services, Amanda not only saved diligently but also learned hands-on construction skills while helping with her home’s insulation. Her story reflects persistence and strength.
• Jonah Davis – An electrician with Tongass Electric, Jonah contributed his skills to many THRHA projects—but this time, he helped build his own home. His journey has come full circle as he prepares to start a family in a house he helped construct.
• Anna Larue – A SEARHC employee of 19 years and single mom of four, Anna waited patiently for this moment. With strong credit, savings, and a legacy of perseverance, she is now building generational stability for her children.

A Community Effort

This project is the result of strong partnerships between Douglas Indian Association, THRHA, and HYFC, with support from key funders who helped provide gap financing. Each home represents stability, equity, and a lasting investment in future generations.

Looking Ahead

As we welcomed the six new homeowners into their homes, we celebrated more than just construction—we celebrated lives being transformed, families being rooted, and dreams becoming reality.

Gunalchéesh / Háw’aa to everyone who helped make this possible.

Client Success Story: Justin

When Justin first applied for a home loan, he had no savings and carried outstanding debt that presented a significant barrier to homeownership. Recognizing his potential, Justin began working with our Financial Education Counselor through HYFC’s counseling and coaching program and has since paid off his outstanding debt and established a personal savings account of $6,800.00. Through HYFCs Success Starts With Me program, Justin is now not only a first-time homeowner, but he is also emerging as a young pillar in a community that has seen many of its young professionals leave in search of opportunity elsewhere. “I never thought I’d be able to buy a home this soon. HYFC believed in me and gave me the tools to get my finances on track. Now, I’m saving, building credit, and working toward a better future right here at home.” By investing in his financial future without leaving his ancestral homeland, Justin is embodying a deeply Indigenous value: the responsibility to care for one’s community across generations.

Elizabeth O’Brien – Success Starts With Me Homeowner

“As a young, single mother of two, I never imagined homeownership could be part of my story. I always thought it was something other people achieved – people with perfect credit, stable jobs, or a big down payment. I didn’t think I had a chance.”

“Then I found Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation and their Success Starts With Me program. From the very beginning, the team treated me with dignity and understanding. They didn’t judge me for where I was—they helped me build a path forward. Together, we worked on my credit, created a budget, and made a plan. For the first time, I felt like homeownership wasn’t just a dream—it was possible.”

“The process wasn’t easy, but Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation was there every step of the way. They explained everything in a way I could understand and made sure I had the tools and support I needed. When I finally got the keys to my home, I cried. Not just because I had a house—but because I had built something lasting for my children.”

“Today, we have a place to call our own—a safe space, a future, a foundation. I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I hope my story inspires others to take that first step. Thank you, Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation, for believing in me when I didn’t yet believe in myself.”

Credit Building Success Story

Reyonna Moy
Small Dollar Credit Builder Loan Participant

Reyonna Moy’s financial journey is a testament to the power of determination, consistency, and access to the right tools. Just two years ago, Reyonna was facing the challenges of a low credit score, limiting her ability to secure affordable financing.

She enrolled in HYFC’s Small Dollar Credit Builder Loan Program, which offers a pathway for individuals to build or repair credit through manageable loan amounts and structured repayment plans. Through consistent, on-time payments, Reyonna steadily improved her financial standing, achieving an outstanding 167-point increase in her credit score.

“When I started, I honestly didn’t think a small loan could make such a big difference. But staying consistent and trusting the process helped me raise my credit score by 167 points. Now, I feel like I’m finally in control of my financial future.”
— Reyonna Moy

Reyonna’s success reflects the mission of HYFC: to empower tribal citizens through financial access, education, and community-driven support.

Success Starts with Me Homeowners

Jessica Smith & Jess Isaacs

After living in a low-rent apartment through Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority for over a decade, Jessica Smith and Jess Isaacs, along with their family of six, set out on the journey to homeownership. With guidance from the HYFC team, they followed a personalized action plan to pay down debt and improve their credit. “HYFC staff was absolutely amazing to work with. They believed in us when others wouldn’t. Any other lender would have turned us away, but HYFC took the time to walk with us, step by step, until we were finally ready to buy our first home. They didn’t just help us get a house; they helped us build a future for our family.” Their dedication, paired with HYFC’s one-on-one support, helped them achieve their dream of owning a home and building a secure future for their children.

Success Starts with Me Homeowner

Danielle Knudsen

When Danielle first applied to the Success Starts With Me program, she faced a significant barrier: overwhelming debt that had gone to collections. But she didn’t give up. Over the course of the following year, Danielle worked closely with HYFC’s Educational Coordinator to develop a savings and debt repayment plan. This strategy put her on the path to financial recovery and, ultimately, homeownership. Today, Danielle is officially a homeowner in her hometown of Kake, thanks to the Success Starts With Me program. Danielle’s success is a powerful reminder that homeownership is more than just property. It is a foundation for stability, self-determination, and legacy.