New Film “An Unlikely Solution” Premiering June 17 At The Cato Institute

Documentary-style film tells story behind Native American Tribes offering financial service products to consumers using the internet

Panel discussion featuring the Former FDIC Chairman and the President & CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development to follow film

 
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Earthstream Media will premiere a new documentary film in Washington, DC that explores the unique intersection of Native American economic development in the age of technology and the underbanked consumers nationwide who benefit from the online lending products offered by businesses owned by Tribal Governments.

The premiere will bring together policy leaders and influencers at the Cato Institute in downtown Washington. Following the premiere screening, a policy panel discussion will be held featuring Mark A. Calabria, Director of Financial Regulation Studies at the Cato Institute; William Isaac, Former Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); and Gary Davis, President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).
 
The film tells the story of customers who have used tribally-owned businesses to help them address urgent financial needs, and of the tribes who operate and benefit from them. The FDIC’s most recent national survey found that 27.7 percent of U.S. households, representing 93 million Americans, had limited or no participation in the banking system. A separate recent Federal Reserve study found that 47 percent of Americans could not handle a $400 emergency expense using cash on hand or a credit card they would pay in full on their next statement.
At the same time, Native American tribes face extreme poverty, with unemployment rates as high as 80%. Many are stuck on reservations far from population centers, making it difficult for traditional businesses to succeed or for tribal members to find other jobs. Native Americans also have the lowest rates of both labor force participation and high school graduation among all racial and ethnic groups. The film explores firsthand how the e-commerce businesses Tribal Governments have created are helping them address all of these challenges.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

EVENT:          Premiere of “An Unlikely Solution” and Policy Panel Discussion
WHEN:           6:00 PM EDT

WHO:             Gary Davis, President and CEO, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)

William Isaac, Former Chair, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Chico Harlan, Personal Economics Reporter, The Washington Post

Mark Calabria, Director, Financial Regulation Studies, The Cato Institute

LOCATION: The Cato Institute, Hayek Auditorium, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001

To register or for more information, contact Brian Bartlett at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (202) 470-5340
 
About Earthstream: Media
Earthstream Media is a specialty media company dedicated to social and environmental consciousness through cutting-edge digital media production. Earthstream Media strives to create connection in a global exchange by offering individuals and communities an opportunity to be heard. Through entertainment, information, branding, and high-quality media production, we aim to make the world a better place for future generations – our most valuable natural resource. In all these ways we are dedicated to taking purposeful media from the Earthstream to the mainstream.