This week in Tribal Business News, a new Indigenous small business incubator launches in Arizona; a tribal enterprise will bring connectivity to underserved regions of the Pacific Northwest; and Cherokee Nation opens a new meat process plant to bridge gaps in tribal food access.
Native FORGE kicks-off first entrepreneurial cohort in partnership with San Carlos Apache Tribe
Small business incubator Native FORGE has launched its first cohort in partnership with the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona. The initiative of the University of Arizona will focus on serving the specific needs of Native entrepreneurs in the state. For each year-long cohort, the incubator will target its efforts to entrepreneurs from a single tribe.
Quinault Tribe launches technology enterprise, planned cable landing station on Washington coast
A new cable landing station established on the Quinault Indian Nation reservation will bring internet connectivity to underserved markets across Washington and Oregon. The station will be managed by a new tribal enterprise that will use tribal funding to establish new subsea fiber along the reservation’s 30 miles of Washington coastline — the first such new fiber in the area in 20 years.
Cherokee Nation opens meat processing plant in Eastern Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation leveraged $8.5M in American Rescue Plan Act funding to build the new 1839 Cherokee Meat Co. processing plant, where it aims to process excess bison from the tribe’s growing herd as well as create new revenue streams by serving ranchers in eastern Oklahoma. As well, the new meat processing plant will help improve tribal food access issues. “The pandemic showed us these gaps we had,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.
Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards more than $5.9 million to support tribal conservation efforts; three Native CDFIs earned recognition for driving economic development in Indian Country; and Alaska tribes ask the state to halt a gold mine project that threatens the region’s natural and cultural resources.
You’re reading the first draft of history.
November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States. We feel like every month — and every day — is a reason for celebrating Native Americans and our heritage. That’s what we try to do here at Native News Online, with stories each day that celebrate, inform and uplift American Indian and Alaska Native people. Over the past year or so, we have been especially busy with three important reporting projects that are having an impact across Indian Country:
- Indian Boarding Schools. We’ve reported and published more than 150 stories and special live stream video events to help shine a light on the dark era of boarding schools — and help create momentum for change.
- Native Health Desk. Launched in January, this reporting initiative was created to heighten awareness of Native American health inequities and spotlight pockets of progress in Indian Country. So far we’ve reported and published nearly 120 stories and launched a monthly health newsletter that reaches more than 23,000 readers.
- Native Bidaske. In March, we launched this live stream interview program to highlight the work of Native Americans who are making news and leading change in Indian Country. We have hosted guests from the federal government and Native rights advocates as well as Indigenous actors, comedians, journalists and models.
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