Chef and entrepreneur Sean Sherman, film producer Jhane Myers and business owners Myra Jo and Darren Price were among the honorees at the 2026 Indigenous Business Awards in Milwaukee.
Indigenous Business Group presented the awards Oct. 13 at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, concluding its fifth annual Indigenous Biz Con. The awards recognized 10 individuals, businesses, organizations and projects for contributions to Indigenous economic development and community life.
Sherman received Entrepreneur of the Year for his work advancing Indigenous foodways, entrepreneurship and cultural revitalization. Myers earned the Creative Excellence Award for her contributions to Indigenous storytelling and film and for elevating Native voices in entertainment.
Myra Jo and Darren Price, owners of BP Smokehouse, received the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing 27 years of Native-owned business leadership, entrepreneurship and community service.
Alexis Harris was named Emerging Business Leader for her work supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship, innovation and business development.
Organizational honorees included Woodstone, named Business of the Year; Cedar Growth, Non-Profit of the Year; and Wolf River Development, Outstanding Tribal Enterprise.
Wunk Sheek at the University of Wisconsin-Madison received the Community Impact Award for Indigenous student engagement and community building. Walbec was named Corporate Partner of the Year for partnerships supporting Indigenous businesses and workforce development.
The Ho-Chunk Nation’s approximately $705 million Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit development earned Project of the Year.
The three-day conference brought together tribal leaders, Native business owners, investors and economic development professionals for discussions spanning procurement, infrastructure, technology, energy, health care, film and food sovereignty, among other industries.
