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Tribal Business News

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BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE

15 September 2025 Jamie Miller, Special to Tribal Business News
Indigenous entrepreneurs and Native-owned institutions that support them are building successful businesses by prioritizing community impact and cultural preservation over pure profit—continuing a tradition of commerce that dates back centuries.

Connecticut officials challenge WNBA over tribally owned Sun franchise sale

15 Sep
Connecticut officials are uniting to oppose how the WNBA has handled the Connecticut Sun sale process, with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal warning the league it could face federal antitrust...

Native federal contracting training expands across Midwest through APEX program

September 15
The Nebraska Indian Community College APEX Accelerator has received approval to expand its service territory from Nebraska to cover five and a half states across the Midwest, filling a coverage gap...

Former Yurok Telecom CEO pleads guilty to $579,000 embezzlement

September 15
Jessica Engle, former chief executive officer of the Yurok Telecommunications Corporation, pleaded guilty Sept. 4 to embezzling $579,574 from the Yurok Tribe while leading the tribal broadband...

Lawmakers examine why longstanding federal tribal energy loan program has delivered only one deal

September 15
Senate lawmakers examined why a federal tribal energy loan program has closed only one deal in seven years during a hearing Tuesday that revealed systematic barriers preventing tribes from accessing...

California tribe secures $5M through first tribal-led forest resilience bond

A California tribe has launched the first tribally led Forest Resilience Bond, securing $5 million in forest restoration funding through an innovative financial model that eliminates cash flow...
 

Oregon tribe launches major expansion at Plateau Travel Plaza 

Economic Development
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is launching a major expansion at Plateau Travel Plaza, a tribally owned fuel, convenience and gaming facility off U.S. Highway 26.

Indigenous entrepreneurs can compete for $7,500 in Michigan pitch competition

Indigenous Entrepreneurs
Native American entrepreneurs in Michigan can apply through Oct. 13 for IndigiPitch, a business pitch competition offering $7,500 in total cash prizes at Odawa Casino in Petoskey on Dec. 5.

Waséyabek invests $5M in Michigan venture fund

Finance
Looking to deepen its role in the defense sector and gain early access to emerging technology firms, Waséyabek has invested $5 million in Michigan Capital Network, a Grand Rapids-based venture capital and angel investing firm recently selected for a federal innovation initiative.

Tlingit-Haida tribe gets federal approval for Douglas Island gaming facility

Gaming
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has received federal authorization to develop a gaming facility on Douglas Island, positioning the tribe to open what would be only the second tribally operated casino-like venue currently operating in the state.

Q+A: Tlingit entrepreneur Mary Goddard on eating like her ancestors for 90 days

Food | Agriculture
Tlingit artist and filmmaker Mary Goddard has built a career based on finding authenticity.

Q+A: Dr. Richard Luarkie on moving Native nations from sovereignty to significance

Sovereignty
At a recent First Nations conference he attended in Canada, Dr. Richard Luarkie noticed something was missing—almost no one mentioned sovereignty.

Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel acquires 1,107 acres through $100M California program

Real Estate
The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel purchased 1,107 acres of ancestral land in San Felipe Valley using funds from California's Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program.

Cherokee Federal acquires D.C.-area consulting firm MSI

Native Contracting
Cherokee Federal acquired a majority stake in Management Science and Innovation LLC, a federal consulting firm, marking the second investment for its year-old growth capital unit, Sovereign Capital. Terms were not disclosed.

Cherokee Nation enacts AI policy to balance innovation with cultural protection

Arts and Culture
The Cherokee Nation has become one of the first tribes to establish comprehensive artificial intelligence guidelines, signing a policy that allows AI use while protecting Cherokee language and culture.

Muscogee Nation college partners with UNLV on tribal gaming, hospitality degrees

Higher Education
The College of the Muscogee Nation and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas signed an agreement that will allow tribal college students to transfer into UNLV's hospitality program with a focus on tribal gaming and hospitality management.

Alaska Native Corporation partners with Indigenous water company to cut plastic waste

Tourism
Huna Totem Corporation expects to eliminate 15,000 pounds of plastic waste this year through a partnership with an Alaska Native-owned water company that packages glacial water in reusable aluminum bottles.

Federal court backs EPA in fight over $20B in 'green bank' funding

Energy | Environment
A federal appeals court dealt a significant blow Tuesday to tribal clean energy initiatives, ruling that the EPA can proceed with terminating $20 billion in climate grants that included approximately $1.5 billion earmarked for Native American communities.

Nonprofit launches $15M fund for  youth mental health programs 

Health Care
The Decolonizing Wealth Project will distribute at least $15 million over three years to expand mental health services for young people, particularly those from marginalized communities.

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Federal court backs EPA in fight over $20B in 'green bank' funding

Federal court backs EPA in fight over $20B in 'green bank' funding

Federal judge denies Minnesota racetrack’s bid to revive tribal casino lawsuit

Federal judge denies Minnesota racetrack’s bid to revive tribal casino lawsuit