NADL Memorandum of Understanding | VA Loans

Wendy Harris
Journalist and Author

Mortgage Lending Compliance Officer

| April 30, 2023

What Native American Tribes have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved Native American tribes with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to participate in the VA's Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program. The NADL program provides home loans to eligible Native American veterans and their spouses.

Native American Direct Loan (NADL) is a program offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help eligible Native American veterans purchase, build, or improve a home on Federal Trust Land. The NADL program is designed to assist Native American tribes, and their members in achieving their dream of homeownership.

The NADL program is available to members of federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages, or regional corporations who are veterans, current service members, or eligible surviving spouses of deceased veterans. The program provides competitive interest rates and requires no down payment or private mortgage insurance.

Previously, only tribes with a government-to-government relationship with the VA were eligible to participate in the NADL program. However, this new policy will allow tribes with an MOU to participate in the program. 

Under this Memorandum of Understanding, the tribe pledges to cooperate with the VA when determining VA loan eligibility on loan applications and examining the underwriting documents involved. The VA will offer training opportunities, technical advice, and resources to help them participate effectively in the program.

With this policy alteration, more Native American tribes will now be eligible to join the program and grant access to home loans for their Veteran community members and spouses. We affirm our commitment to honoring Native Americans' rights while amplifying housing opportunities! This is critical in understanding the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and nations by enabling them to collaborate with federal organizations such as the VA.

At the time of this writing the following Native American Tribes have their Memorandum of Understanding:

 Alaska:

Metlakatla Indian Community

American Samoa:

 American Samoas

Arizona: 

Colorado River Indian Tribes

Fort Mojave Indian Tribe

Gila River Indian Community

Hopi Tribe

Hualapai Indian Nations

Navajo Nation

Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

San Carlos Apache Tribe

White Mountain Apache Tribe

Yavapai-Apache Nation

California: 

Fort Mojave Indian Tribe

 Hoopa Valley Tribe

Morongo Band of Mission Indian

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians

Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation 

Colorado: 

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Florida:     

Seminole Tribe of Florida

Guam:

Citizens of Guam

Hawaii:

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Idaho:

Nez Perce Tribe

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes

Kansas:

Prairie Band of Potawatami Nation

Maine:

Passamaquoddy Tribe

Michigan:

Bays Mills Indian Community

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa

Chippewa Indians

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians

Minnesota:

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians

Fond du Luc of Lake Superior Chippewa

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe-Grand Portage Band

Upper Sioux Community

White Earth Nation

Mississippi:

Mississippi Bank of Choctaw Indians

Montana:

Blackfeet Nation

Chippewa Cree Tribe

Crow Tribe of Montana

Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes

Fort Belknap Indian Community

Northern Cheyenne Tribe

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Flathead Reservation

Nebraska:

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Nevada:

Shoshone-Paiute Tribe

New Mexico:

Jicarilla Apache Nation

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Ohkay-Owingeh Pueblo

Pueblo of Acoma

Pueblo of Cochiti

Pueblo of Isleta

Pueblo of Jemez

Pueblo of Laguna

Pueblo of Nambe

Pueblo of Picuris

Pueblo of Pojoaque

Pueblo of Sandia

Pueblo of Santa Ana

Pueblo of Santa Clara

Pueblo of Zia

San Felipe Pueblo

Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa Pueblo)

Taos Pueblo

New York:

St Regis Mohawk Tribe

North Carolina:

Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians

North Dakota:

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Three Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation

Turtle Mountain Bank of Chippewa Indians

Northern Marianas:

Commonwealth of the Marianas

Oklahoma:

Muscogee Creek Nation

Osage Nation

Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

Oregon:

Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Coquille Indian Tribe

South Carolina:

Catawba Indian Nation

South Dakota:

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Crow Creek Sioux Reservation

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation

Oglala Sioux Tribe

Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

Yankton Sioux Tribe

Texas:

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas

Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo

Utah:

Ute Indian Tribe

Washington:

Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Lummi Tribe

Makah Indian Tribe

Nooksack Indian Tribe

Puyallup Tribe

Quinault Indian Nation

Skokomish Indian Tribe

Spokane Tribe of Indians

Swinomish Tribal Community

Suquamish Indian Tribe of Port Madison Reservation

Tulalip Tribes of Washington

Wisconsin:

Ho-Chunk Nation

Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

Menominee Indian Tribe

Oneida Tribe of Indians, Wisconsin

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

Sokaogon Chippewa Community

History of Native American Military Personnel

Native Americans have a long history of serving in the United States military. Despite facing oppression, discrimination, and forced assimilation, many Native Americans have enlisted in the military throughout the country's history.

Native Americans have served in every major conflict and war involving the United States since the American Revolution. They have fought bravely on the front lines, serving as code talkers, snipers, and scouts. Native Americans have also received many military honors and decorations for their service, including the Medal of Honor.

However, Native Americans' experiences in the military have not always been positive. Many were forcibly removed from their lands to make way for military installations. Their cultures and languages were suppressed in government-run boarding schools. Additionally, the government's mistreatment of Native Americans has led to distrust and resentment, making it challenging for many to reconcile their military service with their Indigenous identity.

Despite the challenges that Native American soldiers face, their contributions to the United States military cannot be ignored. Native Americans still serve in the military more than any other ethnic group. While many enlist out of duty and patriotism, others see military service as a way to improve their lives and communities.

Conclusion of NADL VA Programs and the Native American Tribes.

The above list is quite extensive. The amount of Native American Tribes coming into agreement with the Department of Veteran Affairs is an excellent improvement for the Native American Culture. The NADL VA Native American Tribes MOU is a groundbreaking agreement that provides tribal veterans with access to the benefits and services they need.

This mutual understanding, a legal document between the Native American Tribes and government agencies, is a step in the right direction. The MOU is a formal, legally binding contract and mutual agreement to provide Native Americans a chance to get ahead in the present-day United States.

This MOU process has already impacted tribal veterans' lives, providing them with home loans, healthcare, education assistance, employment opportunities, and more. By signing this agreement, these tribes have taken a huge step towards ensuring their veteran members can purchase a home and receive proper care and recognition for their service. Our expert VA mortgage officers are available to assist with any questions you may have. 

Wendy Harris
Journalist and Author

Mortgage Lending Compliance Officer

| April 30, 2023

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Frequently Ask Questions

The NADL Memorandum of Understanding (NADL MOU) is an agreement between Veterans Affairs, Canada, provincial/ territorial governments, and Approved Lenders under which veteran homebuyers may obtain financial assistance for purchasing homes on tribal lands.
All Native American Tribes who elect to participate in this affordable mortgage loan program.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a legally non-binding agreement between the government and tribal leaders in regards to tribal lands.