January 20, 2026

HYFC is proud to highlight a new success story rooted in local leadership, perseverance, and tribal entrepreneurship. Justin and DeeAnn, both lifelong Juneau residents, recently became the owners of Queen of the North Wine Café, a newly tribally owned business serving the Juneau community.

Justin and DeeAnn are navigating the early stages of business ownership while raising their 2-year-old son, Paxton, and building a stable future for their family. Justin currently works for AELP and has experience working for several union electrical shops in Juneau. Before becoming an electrician, he played professional baseball in the minor leagues and later coached college baseball at Lewis Clark State College in Idaho.

DeeAnn brings over a decade of local food and beverage experience. She has worked for and managed The Grind off and on since it opened in 2008. Together, the couple has demonstrated strong entrepreneurial drive through earlier ventures, including AK Brewz Cruize, a brewery tour business launched shortly before the pandemic. When COVID disrupted small business operations statewide, they pivoted quickly and successfully operated a shuttle service for SECON during the double roundabout construction period. This reflected their resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected economic change.

Queen of the North Wine Café became a reality when DeeAnn saw Zerelda’s listed for sale in October. The possibility of losing one of their favorite restaurants sparked the determination to preserve a beloved community space while launching a long-held dream of opening a wine-focused café. Once the purchase became a reality, they hit the ground running. They completed dining room updates, coordinated staff retention and hiring needs, and prepared for operations on an accelerated timeline.

The business opened on January 9 with a soft opening and has been met with overwhelming support from the Juneau community. The café is now open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. It continues offering several favorite features, including its grab and go case, fresh baked goods, table service, and ordering.

DeeAnn quoted: “HYFC has made this business purchase way easier than we could have ever imagined. They were so helpful with any and everything along the way and got our loan processed in record time. They worked with our realtors and made the whole process quick and seamless. We are so honored to be on of their first business loans and will be forever thankful for their help.”

HYFC is honored to support Justin and DeeAnn as they build long term economic opportunities through tribally owned business ownership and strengthen the local economy in Juneau.

This week, two employees traveled to Washington, DC to join Native leaders from across the country at the 6th Annual Native Community Development Financial Institution (Native CDFI) Policy and Capacity Conference.

For those unfamiliar, Native CDFIs are nonprofit, community-based lenders that provide affordable loans and financial education in Native and rural communities where traditional banks are often absent or inaccessible. HYFC is one of only a handful of Native CDFIs serving Southeast Alaska, helping families access affordable housing and homeownership, start small businesses, build credit, and strengthen long-term financial well-being.

Why We Were in Washington, DC

Federal funding for Tribal communities is rapidly evolving, and decisions made at the national level directly impact the tools organizations like HYFC rely on to serve Alaska Native families. This year’s conference theme—A United Native Voice: Speaking Truth, Shaping Policy—emphasized the importance of standing together, telling our stories, and ensuring Native voices help shape the future of federal housing and economic policy.

Conference discussions focused on protecting and expanding federal funding that supports Tribal housing, lending, and economic development. Several key programs were highlighted:

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program

A U.S. Treasury initiative that provides capital and operating support to mission-driven lenders. This funding allows Native CDFIs like HYFC to offer affordable mortgage loans, small business loans, and financial education in underserved communities.

Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program

A dedicated funding source that helps Native CDFIs grow, expand services, and build capacity. NACA grants are essential for sustaining and scaling financial programs in Native communities.

Community Climate Investment Accelerator (CCIA)

A federal program designed to expand clean energy access, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy costs in disadvantaged communities. For Native CDFIs, CCIA supports energy-efficient housing, climate resilience, and environmental justice efforts.

USDA Section 502 Native Relending Program

A proven tool that enables Native CDFIs to deliver low-interest mortgage loans directly to Native families in rural communities—many of which lack access to traditional lenders. This program has become one of the most successful solutions for expanding homeownership in remote Native communities.

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA)

NAHASDA is the primary federal law that funds Tribal housing programs nationwide. Reauthorization is critical to ensuring Tribes can continue building homes, repairing aging housing, and strengthening safe, sustainable communities for future generations.

Meeting With Leaders on Capitol Hill

Throughout the week, HYFC joined Alaska partners—including Spruce Root, Cook Inlet Lending Center, and the Alaska Federation of Natives—in high-level discussions with key policymakers. HYFC met with:

Senator Lisa Murkowski
HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Senators Thune, Schumer, Rounds, and Smith
Representatives Cole, Jefferies, Flood, Hill, Bynum, Downing, and Johnson

Each of these leaders has demonstrated strong support for Tribal housing programs, NAHASDA reauthorization, the CDFI Fund, and continued investment in Native affordable housing and economic development.

In addition, HYFC met with House Representatives Troy Downing (Montana) and Dusty Johnson (South Dakota), both advocates for Tribal housing, Native-led lending solutions, and strengthening federal support for economic opportunity in Native communities.

Our conversations focused on protecting the stability of the CDFI Fund, making NACA funding permanent, and sustaining the 502 Native Relending Program to ensure low-cost mortgages remain accessible in Tribal and rural Alaska.

Why This Work Matters

This week reaffirmed that Native CDFIs are more than lenders—we are advocates, storytellers, system builders, and protectors of Tribal economic sovereignty. When Native organizations unite, we shape national policy in ways that uplift our communities and strengthen the tools we rely on to support Native families, homeowners, and small businesses.

HYFC is proud to represent Southeast Alaska and to raise the voices of the families and communities we serve. Our presence in Washington, DC reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring Native families have access to affordable housing, homeownership pathways, business opportunities, and financial empowerment.