By Denise Hudson
When you work in a credit union on the rez, your members are your family. Sometimes literally. The people who walk through the door are the same ones you grew up with, the ones who sat next to you in class, played basketball after school, or helped haul fish at the cannery in the summer. When they come in for a loan, it is not a stranger sitting across from you. That changes how you see the work.
I was born and raised in Metlakatla, Alaska’s only Native American Reserve and home of the Tsimshian people. My ancestors paddled from British Columbia in 1887 to start over on this island we now call home. Our village is surrounded by purple mountains’ majesty and crystal-clear seas. It is a small place built by people who refused to give up. They left much of their language and culture behind in Canada, and now, generations later, we are working to reclaim those parts of ourselves.
I grew up a true rez kid, barefoot in the summer, jumping off the dock, and eating almost every meal at my grandma and Ya’a’s house with all my cousins. [Ya’a means “grandfather” in Sm’algyax, the language of the Tsimshian people.] We shared food, laughter, and stories. I didn’t know then how much that would shape me. It taught me to show up for people, to listen, and to care for my community. These lessons still guide me in my work today.
Not a Branch; A Lifeline
Tongass Federal Credit Union is the only financial institution in Metlakatla. That alone makes our work personal. We are not just a branch! We’re a lifeline for everyday financial needs, from small personal loans to business accounts and savings goals. It makes me proud that we now have nearly as many members from Metlakatla as the number of people who live here on the island. That says a lot about how deeply our community believes in what we do.
When I started at Tongass Federal Credit Union more than 17 years ago, I was just happy to help people. Over time, I realized that what I was doing was bigger than cashing checks, opening accounts, or approving loans. We are creating opportunity where there has not always been much of it. We are helping people reach goals that once felt far away.
‘It’s Real Life’
Working on the rez means you already know people’s stories. When someone sits down and says they are worried about a payment, you understand the reasons behind it. The jobs are limited, the cost of living is high, and family responsibilities come first. None of this is just numbers on a computer screen. It’s real life.
Since Tongass Federal Credit Union began serving Metlakatla, the median credit score here has gone up seventy-four points. That is an important statistic; imagine your own credit score going up that much! Financial education and credit building loans made this possible and it is something that my community can feel. It means families can buy safe vehicles. It means local businesses can grow. It means young people are learning about credit early and using it to build their own future.
Balancing Two Worlds
Being a Native American credit union professional means learning to balance two worlds. One speaks the language of finance, and the other speaks the language of community. My job is to connect the two. Sometimes that means slowing down to explain something clearly. Sometimes it means celebrating small steps forward that others might not notice.
There are moments when I stop and think about my grandparents. They lived in a time when walking into a bank did not always feel welcoming. Today, our branch is staffed with people who understand our culture, our humor, and our values. That feels right.
When I talk about credit unions on the rez, I talk about belonging and representation. I talk about pride, knowing that our work matters for the generations after us. What our ancestors began when they settled on this island continues every time a member leaves the branch feeling confident about their next step.
How Far We Have Come
This Native American Heritage Month, I think about how far we have come. Every account opened, every loan funded, and every bit of financial education offered is part of that story. Our people belong in every space, including the financial world, and we belong there as ourselves.
Credit unions are about community. They help our people build, grow, and move forward together. And that is something to celebrate.
Denise Hudson is AVP of Consumer Lending with Tongass Federal Credit Union and a Founding Member of the Native American Credit Union Coalition (NACUC).
The Native American Credit Union Coalition honors Native American professionals like Denise Hudson, who carry forward the values of service, family, and community in their daily work. Stories like hers remind us that Native credit unions are more than financial institutions. They are living reflections of resilience, leadership, and self-determination.
To learn more about NACUC and the Native credit unions making a difference across Indian Country, visit www.nativeamericancreditunioncoalition.org.
