private sector development

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Robert Miller: Creating Sustainable Reservation Economies

In this informative and lively talk, law professor Robert Miller discusses the importance of Native nations building diversified, sustainable reservation economies through the cultivation and support of small businesses owned by their citizens, and offers some strategies for how Native nations can…

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Diane Enos: Building a Sustainable Economy at Salt River

In this informative interview with NNI's Ian Record, Diane Enos, President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, discusses some of the many significant steps that Salt River has taken over the past few decades to systematically build a self-sufficient, sustainable economy.

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Migizi Business Camp

This video -- produced by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians -- depicts the Band's efforts to implement a work readiness and job training program for teenagers and young adults. Five years ago, the Band’s planning and education departments joined forces to create the Migizi Business Camp for…

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Honoring Nations: Tom Hampson: ONABEN: A Native American Business Network

Former Executive Director of ONABEN Tom Hampson presents an overview of the organization's work to the Honoring Nations Board of Governors in conjunction with the 2005 Honoring Nations Awards.

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Lesley Kabotie: The Inherent Challenges of Building Reservation Economies

Lesley Kabotie (Crow), owner of Kabotie Consulting, provides an overview of the fundamental challenges facing Native nations as they work to rebuild their nations and communities through the development of diversified, sustainable economies on their lands. This video resource is featured on the…

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From the Rebuilding Native Nations Course Series: "Citizen-Owned Businesses: Improving the Quality of Life"

Native leaders and scholars discuss the ways that citizen-owned businesses contribute to an improved quality of life for Native nations and their citizens.

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Native Nation Building TV: "Promoting Tribal Citizen Entrepreneurs"

Guests Joan Timeche and Elsie Meeks examine the pivotal role that citizen entrepreneurs can play in a Native nation's overarching effort to achieve sustainable community and economic development. It looks at the many different ways that Native nation governments actively and passively hinder…

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Citizen Potawatomi Nation reverses decline through strong leaders, entrepreneurship

Citizen Potawatomi Nation reverses decline through strong leaders, entrepreneurship

The big idea: In recent years, some tribes have reaped huge profits from their gambling operations. Most American Indians, however, are still mired in poverty, unemployment, addictions, ill health and hopelessness. Is there a way to create a better future in Indian Country? The Citizen Potawatomi…

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Social Enterprise Café Builds Life Skills of Reservation Youth

Social Enterprise Café Builds Life Skills of Reservation Youth

To the residents of the Cheyenne River Reservation, the newly-opened Keya Café & Coffee Shop in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, is a great place to pick up a cup of coffee and a pastry in the morning. But behind the scenes, this small business is working on a much broader scope by addressing such…

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New economic hope on Pine Ridge Reservation

New economic hope on Pine Ridge Reservation

When I read the Lakota Country Times I am heartened by the economic progress that oftentimes is hidden in the more alarming media reports of rampant alcoholism and the resulting horrors that the disease brings to the communities there on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. There is hope to be had in…

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Indian Country Today Article

How Tribal Leaders Are Creating Jobs

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) has provided a vital spark to infrastructure and economic development projects across Indian country. Momentum has been building over the past several years but because of recent federal agency actions, and now tax-related Congressional bickering, it is in danger…

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Hatching Economic Development: A New Business Incubator for Crow Creek

Hatching Economic Development: A New Business Incubator for Crow Creek

“I want to develop my breakfast-burrito business into a restaurant,” said Lisa Lengkeek, a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and 2013 winner of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance contest for best business plan of the year. “I make the burritos at home and sell them at a stand. I have a…

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Building a More Sustainable Future on Cheyenne River

This brief video showcases five of Four Bands Community Fund's loan clients who have used their loan proceeds to advance green and social entrepreneur concepts on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

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Cherokee Nation's Kawi Café offers small business training

The Cherokee Nation’s Kawi Café is now serving up its signature Cherokee blend coffee in downtown Tahlequah, while giving budding entrepreneurs firsthand experience running their own business. A ribbon-cutting was held Thursday at the café, which the Cherokee Nation opened last month in a 1,…

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Native Entrepreneurship in South Dakota: A Deeper Look

Native Entrepreneurship in South Dakota: A Deeper Look

Native Entrepreneurship in South Dakota: a Deeper Look is designed to raise the profile of Native entrepreneurship in South Dakota and offer lessons for policymakers, foundations, tribes, and non-profits in developing effective policies and strategies. The research identified the following key…

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Creating a Climate of Support for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs

Creating a Climate of Support for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs

Three First Nations communities formed a partnership with SFU to investigate ways to create a supportive environment for Aboriginal entrepreneurs. This project followed the Western Diversification/Simon Fraser University study (2001) on the information and service needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs…