The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Center for Indian Country Development (CICD), highlighting a decade of progress in economic research and data innovation focused on Native nations and Indigenous communities. In a recent discussion, CICD Director Casey Lozar outlined key achievements and ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening tribal economic self-determination through actionable insights and policy-relevant data.
Lozar emphasized that CICD’s mission centers on improving economic outcomes in Indigenous communities by generating reliable data and supporting evidence-based public policy. One major initiative, the Survey of Native Nations, is now accessible to all federally recognized tribes across the U.S., aiming to enhance the availability of public finance data for tribal governments and researchers.
As a vice president at the Minneapolis Fed, Lozar leads a team dedicated to community development within the Federal Reserve System’s broader mandate to promote inclusive economic growth. The CICD operates within this framework, focusing specifically on low- and moderate-income populations, with a deep commitment to tribal sovereignty and self-governance.
Before joining the Minneapolis Fed in 2018, Lozar held leadership roles in economic development and higher education in Montana, as well as executive positions with national Native American organizations, including the American Indian College Fund and the Notah Begay III Foundation. His background reflects a long-standing dedication to Indigenous advancement.
A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lozar was raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation. He holds degrees from Dartmouth College and Harvard University, as well as an MBA from the University of Colorado–Denver. His contributions have been recognized with the 2021 Janet L. Yellen Award for Excellence in Community Development and a 2022 Honorary Leadership Award from the Native American Finance Officers Association.
Under his leadership, CICD continues to bridge gaps in economic data, support tribal decision-making, and advocate for policies that empower Native nations. The center’s work underscores the Federal Reserve’s role in fostering equitable economic development across all communities.
— news from Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
— News Original —
Conversations with the Fed: A Decade of Economic Research and Data Innovation in Indian Country
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD), join a conversation with CICD Director Casey Lozar as he provides an overview of economic research and data advancements in Indian Country, and shares perspectives on the role of research in advancing tribal economic prosperity. Casey will share CICD data resources and discuss initiatives that support CICD’s mission, which is to advance the economic self-determination and prosperity of Native nations and Indigenous communities through actionable data and research that inform public policy discussions. One major data initiative, the Survey of Native Nations, aims to advance the public finance data available for Indian Country and is now open to all tribes across the country that are interested in participating. Casey will also take questions from event attendees.
As a research and policy institute headquartered at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, CICD supports the Minneapolis Fed’s mission to serve the public by pursuing a growing economy that works for all of us. CICD is grounded in the Federal Reserve System’s community development function, which has responsibility to help improve economic outcomes in low- and moderate-income communities.
Casey Lozar is a vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and director of CICD. Before assuming leadership of CICD, Casey was assistant vice president/outreach executive in the Bank’s department of Public Affairs, and the leader of our Helena Branch.
Prior to joining the Minneapolis Fed in 2018, Casey served in economic development and higher education roles for the State of Montana. Additionally, he held executive leadership positions in national Native American nonprofits, including the American Indian College Fund and the Notah Begay III Foundation.
Casey received degrees from Dartmouth College and Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Colorado–Denver.
Casey is the 2021 recipient of the Janet L. Yellen Award for Excellence in Community Development and a 2022 recipient of the Honorary Leadership Award from the Native American Finance Officers Association.
A Montana native, Casey was raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.