Ho-Chunk, Inc. Gets Gaming Initiatives on Nebraska’s November Ballot
“We’re talking about Nebraska entities investing in Nebraska so the jobs, the taxes, and the profits all stay in Nebraska,” said Lance Morgan, President and CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., in a video posted by Keep the Money in Nebraska, a campaign supporting the gaming...
First Black Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Shines a Light on Indigenous-Owned Ah-Shí Beauty
“Diné/Naahiłi Girl Magic,” celebrates Ahsaki Báá LaFrance-Chachere on Facebook. “Indigenous Black Girl Magic.” Ah-Shí Beauty is featured in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar showcasing Rihanna on the cover. Ah-Shí Beauty translates to “This is my beauty.” ...
Gary “Litefoot” Davis, Notah Begay III and Other Speakers Announced for Tribal Coronavirus Summit
Gary “Litefoot” Davis (center), Notah Begay III (left), and other distinguished medical and economic professionals will be participating in the virtual summit hosted by Sean McCabe (right). The Tribal Leaders Coronavirus Strategic Response Virtual Summit announced...
10 Leadership Lessons From CEOs of Tribal Enterprises and Native-Owned Businesses
Left to right: Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair & CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Jason Campbell, CEO of Sovereign Power; Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casinos; and Kathy George (Seneca), CEO of FireKeepers Casino HotelStrong Leadership...
10 Tips From Native Business Founders & Leaders to Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs
Left to right: Koyukon Athabascan entrepreneur Joy Huntington, founder of Uqaqti Consulting and the Joy Huntington brand; Byron Bighorse (Osage), CEO of Osage Hotels and Casinos; and Clara Pratte (Diné), CEO of Strongbow StrategiesSince Native Business launched in...
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After 20 Year Process, North Fork Rancheria to Build Casino
The North Fork Rancheria can move forward with the development of its long-awaited casino in Madera County, California. It’s been 20 years of effort for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to build a casino in Madera County, California — north of Fresno and south...
Yurok Agricultural Corporation Buys 26 Acres for Food Sovereignty Program
Come March 2021, Yurok Agricultural Corporation will be the supplier of locally sourced, non-GMO vegetables, vegetable starts and seeds. The agricultural division of the Yurok Tribe, the largest Tribe in California, has purchased 26 acres of land to develop a...
First Black Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Shines a Light on Indigenous-Owned Ah-Shí Beauty
“Diné/Naahiłi Girl Magic,” celebrates Ahsaki Báá LaFrance-Chachere on Facebook. “Indigenous Black Girl Magic.” Ah-Shí Beauty is featured in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar showcasing Rihanna on the cover. Ah-Shí Beauty translates to “This is my beauty.” ...
McCabe’s Tribal Coronavirus Virtual Summit to Address Initiating Economic Recovery
Melvina McCabe, M.D., health policy adviser, and Sean McCabe, Founder of McCabe CPA & Consulting Group LLC, Diné certified CPA, and Native Business Top 50 Entrepreneur (Courtesy McCabe)McCabe CPA & Consulting Group LLC is organizing a summit to discuss the...
10 Leadership Lessons From CEOs of Tribal Enterprises and Native-Owned Businesses
Left to right: Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair & CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Jason Campbell, CEO of Sovereign Power; Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casinos; and Kathy George (Seneca), CEO of FireKeepers Casino HotelStrong Leadership...
From EdTech to Coffee Shops: Businesses to Start During a Recession
Wildly successful startups have originated in the depths of recession. Disney came about during the Great Depression. During the last economic downturn, 2007-2009, multiple behemoth brands were born — from Dropbox to WhatsApp — proving empires can rise out of...
Carmen Davis Reflects on the Foundations of Native Economy: Land, Water & Infrastructure
In our weekly “From the Editor,” Native Business Executive Editor Carmen Davis (Makah/Chippewa-Cree/Yakama) reflects on the foundational components of Native economy: land, water and resource rights, and infrastructure. “Everything in US history is about the...
10 Tips From Native Business Founders & Leaders to Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs
Left to right: Koyukon Athabascan entrepreneur Joy Huntington, founder of Uqaqti Consulting and the Joy Huntington brand; Byron Bighorse (Osage), CEO of Osage Hotels and Casinos; and Clara Pratte (Diné), CEO of Strongbow StrategiesSince Native Business launched in...
Rio Reimagined to Revitalize Rivers & Spur Economic Growth in the Valley of the Sun
“Restoring these rivers will not only reconnect people to these areas, but help promote important conservation goals and provide economic revitalization opportunities along the Salt River and southern Phoenix,” said Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor of the Gila River Indian...
7GAE Names Kowalske as President, Firm’s Hiring Surge Reflects Growth
Karl Kowalske, President, is the latest addition to 7GAE, which has added more than 30 new members to its team since last year. (Courtesy 7GAE)Effective today, Karl Kowalske will oversee Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering (7GAE) as its new president. With...
Osage Entrepreneur Geoff Hager Put Everything on the Line to Launch Big Elk
"You may have a solid business plan with great analytics, but at the end of the day, people invest in people. You have to get your message across in a short amount of time why someone would want to invest in you," says Geoff Hager, a direct descendant of Osage chief...
Connect with dynamic news and information, thought leaders, successful native entrepreneurs, Tribal leaders and more on the Native Business Podcast.
Podcast Episode 7: Marketing & Leveraging ‘Buy Native’ for Private Sector Growth
On episode 7 of the Native Business Podcast, entrepreneurs discuss moving the Tribal “Buy Native” initiative from concept to unprecedented economic and private sector growth catalyst.
Podcast Episode 6: The Indigenous Food Movement
On the 6th episode of the Native Business Podcast, Native American food and beverage professionals who weigh in on Indigenous food movement that has taken off and shows no sign of slowing down.
Podcast Episode 5: Joy Huntington on Overcoming Fear
On episode 5 of the Native Business Podcast, hosts Gary and Carmen Davis, Founders and Publishers of Native Business Magazine, welcome Joy Huntington to the show.
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Ho-Chunk, Inc. Gets Gaming Initiatives on Nebraska’s November Ballot
“We’re talking about Nebraska entities investing in Nebraska so the jobs, the taxes, and the profits all stay in Nebraska,” said Lance Morgan, President and CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., in a video posted by Keep the Money in Nebraska, a campaign supporting the gaming...
After 20 Year Process, North Fork Rancheria to Build Casino
The North Fork Rancheria can move forward with the development of its long-awaited casino in Madera County, California. It’s been 20 years of effort for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to build a casino in Madera County, California — north of Fresno and south...
Luiseño Entrepreneur Ruth-Ann Thorn Interviews Santa Fe Indian Market Artists
The career of gallerist and serial entrepreneur Ruth-Ann Thorn, a citizen of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, is always evolving. Native Business previously profiled the owner of Exclusive Collections Gallery, a full-service art curation service located in Solano...
Facebook Shops Streamlines E-Commerce for Small Businesses
To date, commerce on Facebook has taken place through Marketplace. The introduction of Facebook Shops is changing that. The e-commerce platform allows businesses to customize the look and feel of their “shop,” while equipping brands with a number of other tools, such...
Chaudhuri Addresses Pandemic’s Disruption to $34.1B Tribal Gaming Industry
Former NIGC Chairman Jonodev O. Chaudhuri (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) participated in a recent SBC Digital Summit panel with Conrad Granito, General Manager of the Muckleshoot Casino (the largest Tribal gaming operation in the Pacific Northwest), and Sheila Morago,...
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Our Success & Finance issue charts the business breakthroughs of Tribes and Tribal entrepreneurs in “The Greatest Success Stories of 2019.” We also pay homage to perseverance and tireless devotion to Indian Country. Ernie Stevens, Jr., and Cheryl Stevens, his wife of 37 years, grace one of the covers. We honor Ernie Stevens’ nearly 20 years of stewardship to Indian gaming as Chairman of NIGA. Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite is featured on the opposite cover. He shares how gaming helped his Tribe “to transition from a surviving community to a thriving community,” and reflects on recent success in the financial services industry. We shine a light on financial institutions, such as Stearns Bank, and consider the investment strategy of Mno-Bmadsen. Meanwhile, the DOE’s James E. Campos, underscores: “Energy is our new economy, it is our new currency, and Native Americans play a large part in this equation.”
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FEDERAL CONTRACTING
Four Tribes’ Federal Construction Contracts Are on the Rise
“We have 20 contracts in negotiations right now, ranging from $900,000 up to $25 million,” says Doyle Lowry, CEO of the Susanville Indian Rancheria's Four Tribes. As the CEO of Four Tribes Construction Services, a general contracting firm owned by the Susanville...
Inside Cherokee-Owned Chloeta, a Multi-Million Dollar Emergency Management Staffing Company
Chloeta [shuh-lay-tuh] is a Cherokee entrepreneur-owned emergency management staffing company that helps businesses and the U.S. government deal with natural and human-caused disasters. (Chloeta)While 2020 may be shaping up as a year of overlapping disasters —...
From the Editor: Advancing the Private Sector, Building Reservation Economies & Equity in Infrastructure
Native Business Executive Editor Carmen Davis (Makah/Chippewa-Cree/Yakama) reflects on what’s happening across Indian Country and why it matters in our weekly “From the Editor.”Entrepreneurship builds thriving Native ecosystems. Last week I had the honor of...
GAMING
USA Today Lauds Tribal Casinos on 10Best Lists
Pechanga Resort Casino is one of six Tribal casinos named to USA Today’s Annual 10 Best Awards for Best Casino Hotel. (Courtesy Pechanga Resort Casino)More than half of USA Today’s Annual 10Best Awards for Best Casino Hotel and Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas went to...
Ho-Chunk, Inc. Gets Gaming Initiatives on Nebraska’s November Ballot
“We’re talking about Nebraska entities investing in Nebraska so the jobs, the taxes, and the profits all stay in Nebraska,” said Lance Morgan, President and CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., in a video posted by Keep the Money in Nebraska, a campaign supporting the gaming...
After 20 Year Process, North Fork Rancheria to Build Casino
The North Fork Rancheria can move forward with the development of its long-awaited casino in Madera County, California. It’s been 20 years of effort for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to build a casino in Madera County, California — north of Fresno and south...
CANNABIS
USDA Signs Off on Blackfeet, Cayuga and Sac & Fox Hemp Plans
The Blackfeet Nation, the Cayuga Nation and the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa got the go-ahead to implement their hemp production plans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week. The department also approved state hemp regulatory plans...
South Dakota OKs Industrial Hemp, But Marijuana Remains Illegal
Two weeks after the Oglala Lakota voted to legalize marijuana on Pine Ridge, the state of South Dakota legalized the growing of hemp. The state's move reverses a long-held policy and is great news for farmers who want to grow hemp. For the Oglala Lakota and other...
USDA Green Lights 3 More Tribal Hemp Plans
Three more Tribes recently received USDA approval of their hemp regulatory plans, bringing the total number of approved Tribal plans to 17 since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. The Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Seneca Nation of Indians and the...
Cannabis Sales Surge Amid Coronavirus and Social Distancing
The Muckleshoot Tribe-owned cannabis retail outlet Joint Rivers opened in June 2018, boasting the largest sales floor in the state with 86 linear feet of cabinet space dedicated to flower alone. Since the coronavirus outbreak, Joint Rivers’ sales have skyrocketed. If...
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Victoria Vasques Named a 2020 Women Who Mean Business Honoree by WBJ
“People, Performance and Partnership” are Victoria Vasques’ watchwords — and woven into every aspect of her 8(a) company, Tribal Tech, LLC.Victoria Vasques (Diegueño of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians) has been named a 2020 Women Who Mean Business honoree by...
First Black Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Shines a Light on Indigenous-Owned Ah-Shí Beauty
“Diné/Naahiłi Girl Magic,” celebrates Ahsaki Báá LaFrance-Chachere on Facebook. “Indigenous Black Girl Magic.” Ah-Shí Beauty is featured in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar showcasing Rihanna on the cover. Ah-Shí Beauty translates to “This is my beauty.” ...
From EdTech to Coffee Shops: Businesses to Start During a Recession
Wildly successful startups have originated in the depths of recession. Disney came about during the Great Depression. During the last economic downturn, 2007-2009, multiple behemoth brands were born — from Dropbox to WhatsApp — proving empires can rise out of...
FEATURED SECTIONS / SECTORS
Pequot Health Care Names an Oncology Center as Preferred Partner
Leaders of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation built Pequot Health Care (PHC) to serve its members, other Tribal Nations, as well as commercial businesses and organizations that offer self-funded health plans. PHC recently named Eastern Connecticut Hematology and...
Muscogee (Creek) Nation to Launch Genomic Health Program With HudsonAlpha
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is breaking into an emerging medical discipline that integrates genomic information in precision medicine. Essentially, a genome, or a complete set of DNA, is mapped to help understand disease risks, potential responses to therapy, and...
From the Editor: Tell Your Own Story & Improve Indigenous Representation
In our weekly “From the Editor,” Native Business Executive Editor Carmen Davis (Makah/Chippewa-Cree/Yakama) speaks to your responsibility to tell your story and reclaim Indigenous representation. If there’s one piece of advice I give to Native entrepreneurs, it’s...
Ray Halbritter: An ‘Unrealistic’ Leader Realizes Success for his Nation
Ray Halbritter has led the Oneida people to an economic and cultural renaissance that has been hailed as a national model of success.
The Seasoned Strategist: William ‘Sonny’ Johnson, President and CEO, Pearl River Resort
Under the leadership of William “Sonny” Johnson, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Pearl River Resort became the first casino outside of Nevada to open a Tribally owned and independently operated sportsbook.
Native American Agriculture Fund Names New Investment Manager
Together, NAAF and Neuberger Berman will execute the largest and most ambitious philanthropic investment program supporting Native American agriculture in the history of the U.S. The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) began delivering on its mandate to distribute...
From the Editor: Recognizing Your Worth & Funding Your Entrepreneurial Dreams
Native Business Executive Editor Carmen Davis (Makah/Chippewa-Cree/Yakama) on entrepreneurship: “Don’t let self-doubt sink in. Trust in your talents that the Creator blessed you with and go for it.”As Native entrepreneurs, first and foremost, we must recognize our...
How a Shoshone-Bannock Entrepreneur Funded her Dream: Bison Coffeehouse
Native Business interviewed Loretta Guzman pre-pandemic. Her Portland-based coffee shop is open and serving. Follow her on Instagram @bisoncoffeehouse for real-time updates. The name Bison Coffeehouse came to Loretta Guzman in a dream, while she was ill in the...
Cherokee Nation to Debut Cherokee Language Animated Film Inage’i at Drive-In
The Cherokee language animated series ᎢᎾᎨᎢ, pronounced “Inage’i”, premieres at a drive-in theater on September 4th, during the 68th annual Cherokee National Holiday. The project, presented by the Cherokee Nation Film Office and produced by FireThief Productions, was...
SWAIA Saw the Pandemic’s Silver Lining: Santa Fe Indian E-Market
Royston Turquoise Bracelet by Myles Calladitto, Diné. View the complete list of virtual Indian Market artists at market.swaia.org. (Photo Courtesy swaia.org/exhibitors) “The pandemic forced everyone to be in this place of standstill, and in that standstill, we were...
Business Advice Rooted in Values From the Only Native-Owned Kombucha Producer
In 2016, Prairie Band Potawatomi member Melinda Williamson launched Morning Light Kombucha, a trademarked American Indian Foods product. Melinda Williamson started brewing kombucha, the fermented beverage made from green or black tea, for her health. Now she operates...
Trump Administration Issues Final Rule on NEPA Reviews
U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Flickr CC/Güldem Üstün)Last week, at an event in Georgia, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration had issued a final rule to “modernize and accelerate environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy...
Study: Non-Gaming Tribal Businesses in Michigan Generate $288M Economic Impact
Waséyabek Development Co. LLC, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi's non-gaming arm, and Gun Lake Investments, the non-gaming economic investment entity of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, or the Gun Lake Tribe, coinvested in McKay...
IEED to Fund Feasibility Studies for Economic Projects in Opportunity Zones
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created Opportunity Zones to spur economic development and job creation in economically-distressed communities across the United States. There are nearly 9,000 designated Opportunity Zones. (FlickrCC/Berkeley Lab)Native American Business...
7GAE Names Kowalske as President, Firm’s Hiring Surge Reflects Growth
Karl Kowalske, President, is the latest addition to 7GAE, which has added more than 30 new members to its team since last year. (Courtesy 7GAE)Effective today, Karl Kowalske will oversee Seven Generations Architecture + Engineering (7GAE) as its new president. With...
Seneca Gaming’s Chrissy Jimerson Honored as Woman of Influence
Christina “Chrissy” Jimerson, Seneca Gaming Corporation’s Executive Director of Compensation and Total Rewards, has been honored as a Buffalo Business First 2020 Women of Influence “Behind The Scenes” Award Recipient. A lot of work goes on behind-the-scenes at Seneca...
The Morning Routines of 3 Business Leaders in Indian Country
Valentina R. Sireech, CEO, U.T.E. LLC, an enrolled member of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation; and Dave Williams, President/CEO of Missouri River Resources and a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation; start each morning with...