get newsletter subscribe today
 

Mobile Ad Container

Native American-owned fintech Totem wants to revolutionize banking in Indian Country

1 August 2022 Joe Boomgaard
TULSA, Okla. — An Indigenous-owned company aims to harness the power of technology to change how Native Americans bank, and in some cases, provide them banking and financial services for the first time.

Government watchdog: Tribal broadband needs a nationwide strategy

The General Accountability Office would like to see a nationwide strategy by the Executive Office of the President to increase broadband access to American Indians living on tribal lands. The office...

Native nonprofit leverages $1.7M federal grant to pilot energy sovereignty project

A three-year, nearly $1.7 million Department of Energy grant will help a Native-led renewable energy nonprofit weatherize 30 homes across three reservations.

Report outlines ag policy recommendations to improve Native nutrition

01 Aug
A pair of listening sessions the Native Farm Bill Coalition and the Native American Agriculture Fund held in June document the need for federal flexibility and access to nutrition in Indian Country.

Native Farm Bill Coalition eyes parity, expanding successful pilot projects among key policy priorities 

July 25
The Native Farm Bill Coalition hopes to build on prior victories enshrined in the 2018 Farm Bill as the group prepares a September report on policies ahead of the multi-year legislation’s next...

Poarch Band of Creek Indians enterprise turns M&A focus to expiring 8(a) contractors

July 25
ATMORE, Ala. — Tribally owned Poarch Creek Indians Federal Services understands the value proposition in buying strong-performing companies with existing federal contracts.

Tribal Business News to host economic summit for Great Lakes tribes

July 25
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Tribal leaders and economic development executives from four Midwestern states will gather this October for the first-ever Great Lakes Tribal Economic Summit in Grand Rapids,...
 

Tribal Business News Briefs: Aug. 1, 2022

Economic Development
Here is a round-up of business news from around Indian Country.

Native American Development Center weighs creating new business incubator

Entrepreneurism
BISMARCK, N.D. — Lorraine Davis has had a front-row seat to observe the growth in minority-owned businesses in the Peace Garden State.

Demand from Native CDFIs outstrips available federal funding in latest round

Finance
Even with a 30-percent increase in allocated funding, the Treasury Department will fail to meet the demand from Native community development financial institutions for the next fiscal year.

Casino operations should watch costs, preserve customer experience amid economic turmoil

Gaming
The Indian gaming industry is closely watching how inflationary pressures on the cost of gas, labor and material could affect business at tribal casinos.

Choctaw Fresh transitions from for-profit model to nonprofit produce provider

Food/Agriculture
CHOCTAW, Miss. — What began as a new revenue source for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in 2012 has since expanded into a multi-farm operation focused on solving a major problem for many Choctaw: accessibility to fresh, healthy food.

‘THIS IS SOVEREIGNTY’: Coquille Tribe enters landmark wildlife management agreement with Oregon

Sovereignty
NORTH BEND, Ore. — The Coquille Indian Tribe has penned a historic agreement with Oregon state leaders to co-manage fish and wildlife in the state’s southwest region.

Fannie, Freddie shirk ‘duty to serve’ Native American mortgage market

Real Estate
A few years back, the Federal Housing Finance Agency gave agencies Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae a “duty to serve” American Indian homeowners on their reservations. Judging by the lack of mortgages they have bought to date on trust land, their understanding of that “duty” seems to be a relative concept.

Poarch Band of Creek Indians enterprise turns M&A focus to expiring 8(a) contractors

Federal 8(a) Contracting
ATMORE, Ala. — Tribally owned Poarch Creek Indians Federal Services understands the value proposition in buying strong-performing companies with existing federal contracts.

First Peoples Fund to launch $15M campaign for Collective Spirit Legacy Fund amid 3-day culture festival at Kennedy Center

Arts and Culture
WASHINGTON — Native arts nonprofit First Peoples Fund takes the stage this weekend at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for “We The Peoples Before,” a three-day celebration of the culture bearers that help share and preserve Native art and language.

‘IT’S TRANSFORMATIVE:’ Native Forward Scholars Fund doubles down on student support 

Higher Education
After awarding more than $350 million since it was formed 53 years ago, the American Indian Graduate Fund is restructuring in a move to help even more students access higher education. The changes include a new name for the organization, which will now be known as the Native Forward Scholars Fund.

AIANTA partners with Arizona State University on sustainable tribal tourism certificate

Tourism
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and Arizona State University have created a new curriculum targeted at developing sustainable tourism on tribal lands.

MHA Nation hopes to sell waste natural gas to proposed $2B hydrogen hub

Energy
The Fort Berthold reservation in North Dakota lights up at night like candles on a birthday cake in a darkened room, illuminated by scads of oil well rigs that are flaring off millions of dollars worth of natural gas annually.

Native-led SLC Air Protectors seeks improved air quality, healing from effects of COVID-19

Health Care
Utah is widely known for its diverse geography of mountains and deserts that attracts thousands of tourists year round. But the Beehive State also faces many environmental issues related to air pollution.

Most Recent

Trending Stories

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe awarded $1.1M grant to revive aquaculture business

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe awarded $1.1M grant to revive aquaculture business

Poarch Band of Creek Indians enterprise turns M&A focus to expiring 8(a) contractors

Poarch Band of Creek Indians enterprise turns M&A focus to expiring 8(a) contractors

Fannie, Freddie shirk ‘duty to serve’ Native American mortgage market

Fannie, Freddie shirk ‘duty to serve’ Native American mortgage market

Native American-owned fintech Totem wants to revolutionize banking in Indian Country

Native American-owned fintech Totem wants to revolutionize banking in Indian Country

Shinnecock Nation’s Little Beach Harvest breaks ground on cannabis dispensary

Shinnecock Nation’s Little Beach Harvest breaks ground on cannabis dispensary