Native American Contractors Association, Partner Organizations Release Economic Policy Priorities for Indian Country

Group produces two economic policy briefs aimed towards Congress, the Administration.

December 18, 2023

Washington, D.C.- Twelve leading Native organizations – including the Native American Contractors Association– have joined together to develop companion economic policy briefs focused on concrete steps Congress and the Biden Administration can take to boost tribal economies and Native-owned businesses. The briefs were developed over the course of several months, with input from endorsing organizations that span Indian Country, and shared in November at the National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention and Marketplace in New Orleans.

The focus areas of the briefs include access to capital, tax policy, energy development and land management, infrastructure, agriculture, support for small businesses, and international trade. Each brief details specific legislation, rules, interagency coordination, programs, and other steps needed to help Tribal Nations and Native-owned businesses enhance their economic growth.

The policy briefs, as well as supporting documents, are permanently available on a page on The National Cent e r on American Indian Enterprise Development’s websit e. They were also featured in a segment aired recently on Marketplace Morning Report.

“Strong and resilient economies are vital to strengthen tribal sovereignty and self-determination. We look forward to working with our partner organizations to advance these shared economic development priorities with Congress and the Biden Administration; speaking with a unified collective voice is important to advance and protect the needs of Native Communities across the country.” Quinton Carroll, Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association

Signing on to the briefs were:

· Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

· First Peoples Fund

· Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Inc.

· Indian Gaming Association

· Intertribal Agriculture Council

· The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

· National Congress of American Indians

· Native American Contractors Association

· Native American Finance Officers Association

· Native CDFI Network

· Native Farm Bill Coalition

· United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.

TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

Indian Country's Policy Priorities for the Federal Government

Across Indian Country, Tribal Nations are forging impressive records of economic progress. From operating nation-owned enterprises to cultivating tribal citizen-owned businesses to preparing their people to access new job opportunities through workforce education and training, Tribal Nations are methodically building sustainable economies to support thriving Native communities. Driving this remarkable yet uneven renaissance is tribal self-determination, specifically, the responsibility each Tribal Nation exercises to create a robust economy based on its cultural values, particular circumstances, and long-range priorities. To support Tribal Nations, the federal government must fulfill its binding trust and treaty obligations to take key actions to foster – and remove the barriers impeding – their economy-building efforts.

A direct and compelling headline

POLICY PRIORITIES - CONGRESS

Download Congress Priorties Document Here

POLICY PRIORITIES - ADMINISTRATION

Download Administration Priorities Document Here

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please call or write if you have any questions or require additional information.

Quinton Carroll, Executive Director

qcarroll@nativecontractors.org

Lillian Sparks Robinson, Senior Advisor

lillian@nativecontractors.org