Native Owned Trailblazer Magazine

N O V LETTER FROMTHE EDITOR

Anationisnotconquereduntiltheheartsofits womenareontheground.Thenitisdone,nomatter howbraveitswarriorsnorhowstrongtheirweapons.

–CheyenneProverb

I’mexcitedtowelcome youtotheNative OwnedEditionofthe Trailblazer.AsEditor-inChiefitwascriticalforme tobeculturallyresponsive tothetermsmentionedin thisedition.ToensurethatthevarioustribesandvillageswithintheUnitedStateswere properlyhonored,Ipersonallyverifiedthetermsandlanguageusedwitheachofthe magazine’sparticipantsbeforepublication.DetailsabouttheNational8(a)Associationand theHUBZoneCouncil’sSmallBusinessIndustryAwardsGala.PleasejoinusinNewOrleans atthishistoricaleventhonoringthesmallbusinesstrailblazersfromalloverournation.

TheHUBZoneCouncilisproudtofeatureDr.HollieMackey,theformerExecutiveDirector, WhiteHouseInitiativeonAdvancingEducationalEquity,Excellence,andEconomic OpportunityforNativeAmericansandStrengtheningTribalCollegesandUniversities,Office oftheSecretary,DepartmentofEducation.Onethingforsure–youwillnotfindthis professorinsomeivorytowerdisconnectedfromhertribalroots.Instead,Dr.Mackeyhas chosentousehertheoreticalexperiencetoinspirefellowtrailblazerstolisten,educateand empowerNativeAmericansalloverthisnation.Hearhowshehasbeenacatalystforequity andeconomicopportunities,bothonandoffthereservations.

Eachofushastheopportunitytouseourtalentstomakethisnationevenbetter,toinclude othersonourjourney.Ihavetheopportunityandprivilegetotakeyouwithmeasyouread thesepages.Myquestiontoyouasyoureadthis,willyouaddyourtalents,creatingyourown story?IhopeyouranswerisYES!

Trailblazersareanintegralcomponentofourcountry’sstory.Wetelltheirstory,howtheir commitmentislevelingtheplayingfieldintheirrespectivecommunities.Ifeelblessedto havebeengiventheopportunitytoshineamajorlightontheheroesthatareinthetrenches, someflying,somerunning,butallcommittedtorevitalizingHUBZoneCommunities.

Wewanteveryonetogetinvolvedwithfutureeditions.Nextmonth’stopicisHUBZonefor theHolidays. Ifyouhaveastorytotellorjustwanttobeasponsor,wewantto hearfromyou.

LilyMilliner

ViceChair,HUBZoneCouncil,Inc. &CEO,BuildITUp,LLC

(ANG)adivisionof Ho-Chunk,Inc.(HCI)

Ms.GwenLacywasreflectingonhercareer andtoldmethatthisisthelongest–shehas everworkedforacompany.Thistrailblazer said,“AllNativetoldagreatstorywhichleft animpactonmeaftermyinterview.Iknew thatdaythatIwantedtoworkforthis company”.

President,National8(a)Association At28yearsold,thisTlingitIndianTrailblazer couldhavegivenupafterhisepicdivorce.But insteadoffocusingonbeinghomelesswitha 2-year-olddaughter,hekeptblazingatrail.

ThisTrailblazerhashadtwoMountEverest momentsinhiscareer.Thefirstwaswhenhe assistedinthechargetoestablishtheBuy IndianAct‘sfinalrulewithintheBureauof IndianAffairs(BIA).

Mrs.MaryWalksOverIcehasalwaysbeen personallyconnectedtoTrailblazers.As enrolledmembersoftheAssiniboine(Nakoda tribe),Maryhashadherfather,Mr.Chuck Archambault,asherfirstpersonalTrailblazer.

Wakjexiskawinga“WhiteWaterSpirit”isonly 20yearsoldandhasalreadymadeanamefor herselfatthenationallevel.

ASSOCIATION

At28yearsold,thisTlingitIndian Trailblazercouldhavegivenupafterhis epicdivorce.Butinsteadoffocusingon beinghomelesswitha2-year-old daughter,hekeptblazingatrail.

Entrepreneursareknownfortheir abilitytotakerisks,butwhenyouhavea toddlerdependingonyouandyou’reliving inahousethatjusthasstudsnoteven sheetrock,isthatriskyorcrazy?Mr.Perry didn’tthinkitwaseither.Hesaid,“Itwas goingtobenowornever.”Thatdecision, alongwiththe$1,200onhiscreditcard, changedeverythingforhimandhis daughter.Hehastakenthatsame tenaciousspiritintotheNational8(a) Association,championingprogramsthat havechangedthetrajectoryofthis organization.OnFebruary15,2023,the National8(a)AssociationandtheHUBZone CouncilwilljoinforcestopresenttheSmall

BusinessIndustryAwardsGala.Thishistoric eventwilltrulyleveltheplayingfieldandhonor smallbusinessTrailblazersfromalloverthe nation.

AlaskanNativeVillage: GrowingaHUBZoneand 8(a)Company

Mr.PerrybecamethefirstPresidentand CEOofthevillageofSalamatof’scompany(Teya Development).Theirfirst8(a)HUBZone contractwastheresultofMr.Perrythinkingway outsidethebox.HeflewtoNorfolk,Virginiato spend15minuteswithafederalcontracting officer(CO)ataSmallBusinessvendoroutreach event.HehandedherTeya’scapability statement,whichconsistedofMr.Perry’s background.Shethenlookedupfromhis businesscardandaskedifhehadalocaloffice. Whenheresponded“no,”theconversation changed.

Shesaid,“BecauseyouflewfromAnchorage Alaskaforthis15-minutemeeting,younow have30minutes.”Bythetimetheyweredone withtheirconversation,shesaidsomethingthat leftourTrailblazerstuttering.TheCOsaid,“I likeyourattitude,Ilikeyourenergy.Ilikewho yourepresent.Ihaveasurpriseforyou.I'ma ContractingOfficerfortheAirForceandI'm goingtogiveyouyourfirstcontracttoday,in logistics,for$85K.”Thecontractscope includeddisassemblingofficefurniture,moving it,andthenreassemblingthefurnitureinitsnew location.Mr.Perryimmediatelycanceledhistrip backtoAlaska.Hefoundothersmallminority businessesintheareatohelpcompletethistask. ThistenacityanddedicationgarneredTeyatheir first“Exceptional”CPARs.

WhenMr.PerrywentbacktothanktheCO forbelievingandtrustinginTeya,shehad anothersurprisewaitingforhim.Thistime,it wasa3-yearconstructionprojectmanagement contractfor$5MatLangleyAirForcebase.Mr. Perrysaid,“Thiskeptgoing,andkeptgoing withallthesedifferentwaysofdoingbusiness becausethepartners,contractingofficers,and othersmallbusinesseswouldfindoutaboutus. Thewordonthestreetwastheseguysare

RonPerry, President,National8(a) Association

different.Teyaisfuntoworkwithandthey knowwhatthey'redoing.Let'spartnerwith thesepeople.Welookedupandhadgrownout oftheHUBZoneprogrambybuildingupother HUBZonesandsmallbusinesses.”Some15 yearslater,Teyahas860employeesin35States andacoupleofforeigncountries.Thecompany isnowlookingatwaystofurtherbuildupthe HUBZoneworkforcebylaunchingHUBZonesin otherAlaskanNativevillages.

ChiponHisShoulder: NoMoreRegrets

Mr.Perrywillhumblyadmitthatformany years,hehadachiponhisshoulder.Hedidn’t wanttotakewhatheperceivedtobehandouts. Hehadmadeitoutofboththetrailerparkand theworsthighschoolinAlaskatoagreatCollege withasuccessfulcomputerbusiness.Whena friendtoldhimaboutsomefederalminority programshecouldtakeadvantageof,Mr.Perry scoffedandsaid,“Idon'tneedanyadvantages. I'mjustassmartasyouareorevensmarter thanyou.”Hisfriendresponded,“Ron,you're Native.You'reyoung,youhaveyourown business,youarecollege-educated.Youare whattheseprogramslookfor.”Mr.Perry’s responsewas,“I’mnotgoingtodothat,I’m goingtobesuccessfulonmyown.”Whenhis computercompanywasNumber3intheState, some5yearslater,hefinallybecame8(a) certified.

Thatstepopenedhiseyestoaworldof opportunities,butmoreimportantly,toneverlet hisegogetinthewayofhelpingothers.Heoften thinksabouttheimpacthecouldhavemadeon somanyothersmallbusinesseshadheparked hisegosoonerinsteadofworryingaboutwhat everybodyelsewasthinking.Mr.Perrysaid,“I failedatwhatIenjoyedmost.Icouldhavedone bettertohelpmorepeople,movequicker,and

fasterinthesystem.IwastoopridefulIshould haveembracedthesmallbusinessminority programsthataresetuptohelpsmall businesses.Iwasted5yearsprovingtomyself thatIcouldmakeitonmyown,butatwhat cost?HadItakenadvantageoftheseprograms earlierIcouldhavehelpedmanymorepeople alongtheway.

AsthePresidentoftheNational8(a) Association,Mr.Perryspendsalotofhistime helpingotherstoavoidthepotholeshefellin.To him,beingsmarterisrealizingthathispath didn’thavetoincludethoseroughpatches, includingeatingnothingbutramennoodlesand peanutbutterandjellysandwichesformonths whenhefirststartedout.Mr.Perryisdoing everythinghecantohelpothersbesmarter earlierintheirjourney.ThisTrailblazer’spath hasneverbeenclearer–andthisisthestoryhe endedwith:

“Thisauthor,hegoestoHeaven.He's standinginalonglinetoenterthepearly gates.Everybodyiscarryingbooks.One book,twobooks,somepeoplehavestacksof books.Anangelcomesuptohimandthe authorsays,‘Hey,Igottagobackdownto Earth.Obviously,God'sareader.I'man author.Ineedtogogetmybooks.’Theangel tellshimthosearen'ttraditionalbooks. Thosevolumescontainthestoriesofpeople theyhavehelpedduringtheirlifetime.”

I’mconfident,basedonwhatIhavelearned aboutthisTrailblazer,thathealreadyhasa semi-truckcontainingthestoriesofthe individualsandthefamilieshehashelpedthus far.Moreimportantly,Mr.Perrystillhasso manymorestoriestomake.

PhotoSource:RonPerryInphotostartingfromtheleft,RonPerry, CarlosDelToro,andJohnKlein

PhotoSource:RonPerryInphotostartingfromtheleft,RonPerryand BibiHidalgo,AssociateAdministratorforGovernmentContracting& BusinessDevelopment,SBA

BRANCHES OFTHE GOVERNMENT

DebHaaland, Servingas the54thUnitedStates SecretaryoftheInterior TribalAncestry:Laguna Pueblo

AmemberoftheDemocraticParty,sheservedaschair oftheNewMexicoDemocraticPartyfrom2015to2017 andastheU.S.representativeforNewMexico's1st congressionaldistrictfrom2019to2021.Haalandisa NativeAmericanandenrolledmemberoftheLaguna Pueblotribe.Sheisapoliticalprogressivewhosupports theGreenNewDealandMedicareforAll.

ShariceDavis, Servingas theU.S.Representativefrom Kansas's3rdCongressional Districtsince2019

TribalAncestry:Ho-Chunk

In 2018,DavidsbecamethefirstDemocratelectedto representaKansascongressionaldistrictinadecade. SheisthefirstopenlyLGBTNativeAmericanelectedto theU.S.Congress,thefirstopenlylesbianperson electedtotheU.S.CongressfromKansas,andoneofthe firsttwoNativeAmericanwomenelectedtoCongress

MarkwayneMullin, ServingastheU.S. RepresentativeforOklahoma’s 2nd CongressionalDistrict

TribalAncestry:Cherokee

MarkwayneMullin waselectedtotheUnitedStates Senatein2022.HeisamemberoftheRepublican Party,andthefirstNativeAmericanintheSenatesince fellowRepublicanBenNighthorseCampbell.Mullinis anenrolledmemberoftheCherokeeNation.Asoneof onlyfiveNativeAmericanscurrentlyservinginthe House,MullinbringsafirsthandknowledgeofNative AmericanissuestoWashington,D.C.

MaryPeltola, Servingasthe MemberoftheU.S.Houseof RepresentativesfromAlaska's at-largecongressionaldistrict TribalAncestry:Yup’ik,

MaryPeltola becamethefirstAlaskaNativememberof CongressandtheonlyRussianOrthodox,aswellasthe firstwomaneverandfirstDemocratsince1972to representAlaskaintheHouse.Shehaspreviously servedasajudgeontheOrutsararmiutNativeCouncil's tribalcourt,executivedirectoroftheKuskokwimRiver Inter-TribalFishCommission,andmemberofthe Alaskastatelegislature.

ChiefLynnMalerba, ServingasTreasurerofthe UnitedStates

TribalAncestry:Mohegan

ChiefMutáwiMutáhash(ManyHearts)Marilynn “Lynn”Malerbabecamethe18thChiefoftheMohegan TribeonAugust15,2010andisthefirstfemaleChiefin theTribe’smodernhistory.Thepositionisalifetime appointmentmadebytheTribe’sCouncilofElders. PriortobecomingChief,sheservedasChairwomanof theTribalCouncil,andservedinTribalGovernmentas ExecutiveDirectorofHealthandHumanServices.

TomCole, ServedastheU.S. RepresentativeforOklahoma’s 4th CongressionalDistrict

TribalAncestry:Chickasaw

TomCole isamemberoftheRepublicanPartyand servesasDeputyMinorityWhip.Thechairmanofthe NationalRepublicanCongressionalCommittee(NRCC) from2006to2008,hewas,duringhistenure,the fourth-rankingRepublicanleaderintheHouse.A memberoftheChickasawNation,Coleisoneoffour NativeAmericansinCongresswhoareenrolledtribal members.

YvetteHerrell, Servingas theU.S.Representativefor NewMexico's2nd CongressionalDistrict

TribalAncestry:Cherokee

Yvette Herrellhasmarkedmanyfirsts:sheisthefirst RepublicanNativewomanelectedtoCongress,thefirst Cherokeewoman,thethirdNativeAmericanwoman, andthesecondNativewomanfromNewMexicoelected totheHouse.SheistheonlyRepublicanmemberof NewMexico'scongressionaldelegation.

BradCarson, Servedasthe ActingUnderSecretaryof DefenseforPersonneland Readiness2015-2016

TribalAncestry:Cherokee

BradCarsonisanAmericanlawyerandpoliticianfrom thestateofOklahomawhoservedastheActingUnder SecretaryofDefenseforPersonnelandReadinessfrom 2015to2016.Inthatrole,heinitiatedanumberof notablereformstoincludeopeningupallcombat positionstowomen,openservicebytransgenderservice members,andnewrecruitingandretentionpractices.

CAPACITYBUILDING

Mrs.MaryWalksOverIcehasalways beenpersonallyconnectedto Trailblazers.Asenrolledmembersofthe Assiniboine(Nakodatribe),Maryhas hadherfather,Mr.ChuckArchambault, asherfirstpersonalTrailblazer.Hewas oneofthefewNativeAmericancivil engineersemployedbythegovernment inthe1970s.Earlyinhiscareer,Mr. Archambaulttooktheultimateriskand becameanentrepreneur.Hisboldchoice allowedMarytoexperiencethejoysand challengesofsmallbusinessownership. Recently,sheteamedwithanother NakodaTrailblazer,hercurrentboss, CEOLeonardSmith.Muchlikeher father,Mr.Smithisavisionary.

Trailblazingisinthe

Blood

ThisTrailblazeractuallytookamajor detourincollege.Shesaid, “Whenyou growupspendingyourentirelife workinginyourfather’ssmallbusiness, youthinkthatisthelastthingyouwant tostudyincollege.Igotmydegreein microbiology,somethingconcrete. WhenIcamehome,IfoundoutIdidn’t likebeinginalaballbymyself.Iloved mycommunityandneededtobedoing somethingtohelpthem.Icouldn’trun frommydestiny.” Muchlikeherfather, thisTrailblazerinteractswithher communityeverysingleday.Itisevident inherlaughterandsmiles:“Community CapacityBuilding”isinherblood.

Mr.Archambaulttaught histrailblazingdaughterthat actionsspeaklouderthan words.Mrs.WalksOverIce remembersgoingto Washington,DCwithher fathertosupporttheBuy IndianAct. “Wewouldpound ondoors,tryingtoget regulationsputinplace. TherewerenoregulationsbackthenfortheBuy IndianAct.ThetwoagenciesservingIndian peopleweren’tdoingit.” Thingsarealot differentthesedaysbecauseofTrailblazerslike herfather.

NADChasmadeamajorimpactinthe Billingscommunity.JustbeforetheCOVID-19 pandemichit,theyreceivedtheIndianHealth ServiceContracttoopenanurbanIndianHealth CareClinictoservicemorethan10,000Native AmericansinBillings.Theclinichasthrived, goingfrom16tomorethan60employeesin under2years.NADCrecentlypurchasedalarge buildingintownwithMs.Mary’sassistance.The multi-levelbuildingwillallowtheNative Americancommunitytohavesomethingoftheir own.“Thankyouforgivingusaspace”arethe wordsMrs.WalksOverIcekeepshearinginthe streetsofBillings.Whenshehearsthosewords, shecanonlysmile,thinkingofhernow-87-yearolddad,whosesacrificeshemadehaveallowed hertoblazeatrailatNADC.

NativeAmerican ProcurmentTechnical AssistanceCenters(PTAC)

ThereareonlysixNativeAmericanPTACsin thenation,andtheyprovidesubjectmatter expertsonthelawsandcertificationsspecificto NativeBusinesses,cultures,andcommunities. ThesePTACshelpNativeandnon-Nativefirms successfullyworktogetherinIndianCountry.

Afewyearsago,Mrs.WalksOverIceledan initiativetoincreasethenumberofNative OwnedBusinessesthatwereHUBZone-certified. SheworkedwithherfellowNativeAmerican PTACsleaderstolaunchthisinitiative nationwide.Theyprovidedtraining,workshops, andcoachingtoNativecontractors,increasing theNativeOwnedHUBZoneindustrialbase. TheyalsoworkedwiththeSBAHUBZone programtounraveltheredtapethatisspecific tobusinesseslocatedonreservations,suchas sovereigntywaivers,bulkaddresses,andtribal jurisdictions.Allreservationsareconsidered

MaryWalksOverIce, ChiefOperationsOfficer, NativeAmericanDevelopmentCorporation (NADC)

indefiniteHUBZones. Post-pandemic environmenthas createdanentire workforcethatworks remotelythatcould workperfectlyfor reservation communities.The NADCPTACintendsto relaunchtheinitiative tocertifycompaniesto becomeHUBZone certified.

Businessonthe Reservation–Knowingthe Rules

NativeAmericanbusinessesthatresideon reservationsarepartofsovereignnationsthat arehighlyregulatedbytheUSgovernment.This Trailblazerworkstomakesurethateveryone understandstheregulations.Onanygivenday, Mrs.WalksOverIcemighthavetoexplaintoa federalstakeholderwhyaNativeAmerican contractorcan’tusehisorherhousefor collateral,buthasthebackingoftheirNative AmericanCommunityDevelopmentFinancial InstitutionsFund(CDFI)AssistanceProgram,or whyacontractingofficerneedstheNativeownedbusinesstowaivesomerightsandthe implications.Ms.WalksOverIce’sofficeserves asatrustedpartnertotheNativebusiness communityandexplainstheprosandconsof currentclausesandregulations.

Mrs.WalksOverIcesaiditbest: “Weliketo shareourknowledge,weliketoshareour culture,likeeverything,thedemocraticsystem isbasedontheNativeAmericansystems. Entrepreneurismgoesbackbeforethefirst settlersarrivedinNorthAmerica.Native Americanscreatedallofthetraderoutes.They werethefirstexplorers;discoveryand innovationisawayoflifeinIndianCountry.At NADC,wecontinuethelegacyofour ancestors.”

TheNADCteamprovidestheeducationthat enablestheNativecommunitytotakebacktheir powerinapositiveway.Inthisenvironment, communicationiscrucialtotheNative community’sawarenessandself-determination.

TakingOurPowerBack

TheIndianCountryhasthousandsof documentedexamplesoftheatrocitiesthat Nativefamiliesandtheirancestorssufferedat thehandsofthenon-nativegovernments.Thus, trustdoesnotcomeeasilywhenconducting businessonthereservation.IndianCountry oftenhesitateswhenitcomestowaivinganyof rightsorpartneringwithnon-natives.

Therearegenerationswhowerevictimsof theBoardingSchoolAct,andtheirmemoriesare verymuchalive.ThisincludesMrs.WalksOver Ice’sfather,Mr.Archambault.Generationsof NativeAmericansweretaughttobeashamedof theirclansystem,ceremonies,language,and food.Eventheirhairwasconsideredan abomination.Theyweren’tencouragedtobe entrepreneurs,innovators,ordisrupters.But despitetherelentlesspersecution,theirspirit persevered.Mrs.MaryWalksOverIcesaid,“We didmanagetoholdontoourculture,whichis phenomenal.ThemoreIlearnaboutour people,themoreitisphenomenalthatweheld ontoourtribes,ourclansystems,ourlanguage, ourceremonies,andthat'sreallywhatgotus through.”

Oneofthethingsshelikesmostabout workingatNADCishowMr.Smithmakessure thateverythingtheydo,say,orwritecomesfrom aplaceofpositivity,aplacethathonorsand respectstheNativepeopleandtheirjourneys. Ms.Maryrecallsworkingwithgrantwriterswho didn’tknowthepeople.Theydidn’tknowthe languageorculture,sotheirnarrativeswere negativeinsteadofpositive.Mr.Smith would notallowthatkindoflanguageintheir proposals. Hewouldonlyallowlanguagelike “thisistheprojectwepropose,andthisishow we'regoingtodoit.Ifwedon’twinonthat merit,thenwejustdon’twin.”

PhotoSource:MaryWalksonIce

PhotoSource:MaryWalksonIce

NomatterwhichreservationDr. Mackeystepsfootin,SBAhassaid theyautomaticallyqualifyas HUBZonesbecauseoftheir AmericanIndianandAlaskanNative(AI/AN) locations.

ThisTrailblazerkeptremindingme,during herinterview,thatthestakeshaveneverbeen higher.Livesareliterallyontheline.Last Novemberhermotherpassedaway,andin August,herbrotherpassedtoo.Anymisstep couldsetareservationbackforgenerations.

Thefundamentaltribalstructureshave allowedintergenerationalcommunitiesto thrive,despitetheobstaclesthathavestrivedto erasetheircultures,languages,traditions,and heritage.WHIAIANEstaffhelpsNative

Americancommunitiesfindtheiruniquevoice inaPresidentialAdministrationthatdiligently stridestoadvanceequityinthe500+tribes (includingthelower48,Alaska,andHawaii).

WhenthisTrailblazerfindsherselfnot knowingwhichhotelortimezonesheisin,she needonlyrememberthatthestakesarehigh. ThisiswhenDr.Mackeyreflectsonthetrailher aunt,Dr.NormaBixby,blazeddecadesago.Her auntwasoneofthefoundersoftheTribal Collegeinherhomecommunity.Dr.Bixbyis passionateabouteducationandmadethis TribalCollegesuccessful.

Dr.Mackey’svoiceoftenextendstothenonNativeAmericancommunities,asshereminds themthatthebarriersNativeAmericansface arenotbarriersthattheyhavecreated–but rather,inherwords, “Barriersthathavebeen attributedtousasacommunity. Wehave survivedtraumaaftertrauma.Ourchildren aredoingandwilldoremarkablethingseven aswegrievethelossofsomanyofoureldersto COVID.’

SecretaryMiguel CardonaMakesa Difference

Dr.Mackeyisexcitedabouttheimpactof severalofSecretaryCardona’sprograms, includingtheStudentLoanDebtReliefandthe PublicServiceLoanForgiveness.Shefeelsthat theseprogramswillincentivizeindividualswho areinterestedinteachingontribalreservations; decreasingdebtisalsoparticularlyinteresting forNativeAmericanslookingtopursuean entrepreneurialpath.WhenSecretaryCardona stated,“Ourteamhasworkedtoturnpublic serviceloanforgivenessfromapromisebroken intoapromisekept”duringarecentpresscall,it confirmedDr.Mackey’sstaff’smessagingthata changeiscoming!Shesaid,“Wehavesomany peopleinourcommunitiesoverwhelmedwith debt,theinterestratesandthecostofhigher

educationkeeprising,andthenthedebtkept pilingup.” Dr.MackeyisgratefulforSecretary Cardona’sleadership.Heunderstandsthe educationalchallengesTribalNationsare facing,andhehasbeenproactiveinadvancing theirself-determination.

DualEducationSystem

IaskedDr.Mackeyaboutworkforce development,andsheexplainedhow WHIAIANE hadtonavigateabifurcated educationsystem.TheBureauofIndian Education(BIE),anagencywithintheU.S. DepartmentoftheInterior,alongwiththe DepartmentofEducation(ED),areresponsible forTribaleducationonhundredsof reservations.

Shesaid,“thissystem doesn'texist anywhereelse.WehavetheBIEandpublic educationsystemaswell.Andthen,even withinthat,wehaveanothersystem.Wherewe havepublicschoolsontriballandsthatare operatedbytheStates.Additionally,thereare tribeswhohaveestablishedcontractswithBIE Schools–triballycontrolledschools.Therefore, wereallyhavethreestructures,buta bifurcatedsystemofeducationthatgoesup eitherthroughtheDepartmentsofInterioror Education.”

Listeningtoallofthis,Iwastruly bewildered.Icouldonlyimaginethechallenges WHIAIANEteamhashadtofacetoreconcile thesetwoworlds,letalonedevelopaneducated NativeAmericanworkforce.

AThreatenedand EndangeredSpecies

Themostendangeredspeciesonthe reservationisthequalifiedteacher.AsIlistened toDr.Mackey,Ibecameextremelyawareofthe educationalthreatsthatreservationshavefaced andcontinuetoconfront.Forreservationsto recruit,hire,andretainqualified,culturally responsiveteachershasrequiredaHerculean effort.Theobstaclestheyfaceofteninclude remotelocations,lackofreservationhousing, andlowpay.Evenwithallthesebarriers, individualswillingtoteachonreservationshave notyetbecomeextinct.

Dr.MackeyandtheWHIAIANEteamare workingwiththeTribesandtheWhiteHouseto eliminatesomeofthesebarrierstoincreasethe populationofNativeAmericanteachersand

relatedleadership.Theyareworkingtoensure thatnon-NativeAmericaneducatorsunderstand theNativestudents’uniqueculturalneeds, alongwiththetraumatheircommunitieshave faced.Theyareonamissiontomakesurethat thelargenumberofschoolsservingNative Americanstudentsrunbynon-Nativeeducators understandtherichculturaldiversityamong NativeAmericans.Besidesculturaldiversity, NativeAmericancommunitiesoftenhavevery differentcustomsfromeachotherthatneedto berespectedandinfusedintothecurriculum.

TeachingWithout Resources

Reservationschoolsareofteninhard-toreachruralareasthatlackbroadbandoraccess toanysortoftechnology.WHIAIANEteam workswithTribalstakeholderstodevelop solutionstotheirinfrastructureneeds.She recallsoneoftheexecutivehiressaying, “he wouldhavebeenhappyjusttohavetextbooks atthebeginningoftheschoolyear.” Thetribes andvillageshavereallystrongcommunitiesthat arecominginandhelpingfillthegaps.Theyare beingstretchedineverywaypossible,crossing barrierafterbarrier.

Individualized WorkforceDevelopment

Dr.Mackeybelievestherearemultiple pathwaystoworkforceexcellence.Hertwosons areexamplesofwhathappenswhenyoufollow yourdreams.OnesonisworkingonaCyber Security&DataAnalyticsMaster’sdegree;the otherattendstradeschoolforGunsmithing Technology.Bothboysareextremelysuccessful, havingfoundtheirindividualpathstoworkforce development–apaththatwascenteredontheir individualtalentsandskills.Dr.Mackey understandsfirst-handthemultiplepathwaysto workforcesuccessandplanstopromote educationalinitiativesthatvalueexcellence, whethertheindividualattendstradeschool, communitycollege,Tribalcollege,ora university.

Shementionedthemanywaysthat educationcanoperationalizeselfdetermination: “Wehaveallofthetalent,allof thecreativity,everythingweneedwithinour owncommunities;throughourTribalcolleges, throughourTribalgovernments,throughour communities,ratherthancontinuingtorelyon otherpeopletocomein.Theydon'tknowour people.”

TheWhiteHouseCouncilforNative AmericanAffairsEnergysubcommitteerecently launchedanewinitiative:theyarelookingat opportunitiesrelatedtoelectricvehiclesand howtheycandeploytrainingonreservations. TheWhiteHouseInitiativestaffare contributingbyidentifyingwhichcertifications willbenecessaryforworkforcereadiness,while proactivelyengagingTribalcollegesandother entitiesoninternships,externships,and possibleapprenticeships.

YouthInitiatives

Itisnevertoosoontoengageyoungpeople inthe entrepreneurshipjourney–justask Dr. Mackeyandco-chairs,TonyDearman,Director, BureauofIndianEducation,Departmentofthe Interior;andDaronCarreiro,SpecialAssistant tothePresidentforNativeAffairsoftheWhite HouseCouncilonNativeAmericanAffairs’ CommitteeonEducation. Thisdynamicteam hasrecentlyteamedupwith thelegendaryDr. LeeFrancisIV,CEOofNativeRealitiesandthe creatorofRedPlanetBooksandComics.

InMarch,Dr.Francis,alongwiththe Committee,willaddanotherdimensiontohis alreadyestablishedIndigenousPopCulture Conference.Thefirstdayoftheconferencewill bedevotedtosessionsrelatedto entrepreneurship,identity,andrepresentation, andwhatallthesetermsmeantothem. Additionally,theU.S.PatentandTrademark OfficewillbeworkingwithWHIAIANEteamto helpprovideopportunitiesforNativestudents tolearnhowtotrademarktheirideas,howto obtainpatents,andhowtoprotectthemselves againstpredatoryentities.

477Memorandumof Agreement(MOA)–PublicLaw102-477

P477MOAsareamongthebestHUBZone workforceagreements.Thislawwasenactedto reduceredtapebetween12federaldepartments whilepromotingemploymentandtraining opportunitiesinIndiancountryandAlaskan Nativevillages.477MOAgivesWHIAIANEthe toolsneededtochampionmeaningfulworkforce initiativesforhundredsofreservations.Tribal governmentscancombinefundingfrom differentagenciestodeveloponecomprehensive workforcesolution.Thiscriticalprogrambuilds capacitybyauthorizingTribalgovernmentsand Tribalorganizationstointegrateeligible employment,training,andrelatedservice programsthatsupportworkforcedevelopment,

therebyreducingthehighunemploymentrates inTribalcommunitiesandwithNative populationcenters.The477Programempowers eachTribetotailortheirplanstotheirunique needs,incorporatingculturallyrelevant components,andtocreateandimplement programservicesinalignmentwithtribalselfdeterminationpriorities.

SecretaryCordonahassignedthe interagencyMOA,whichnowincludesmeasures thatallowcompetitivegrantstobeincludedin the477plans.Dr.Mackeysaid,"theBiden Administrationisconstantlylookingatwaysto reducethehurdlesNativeAmericanshavehad toface."

TrustCan’tBeOneWay

Dr.MackeyandtheWHIAIANEteamof Trailblazersspendsasubstantialamountof timebuildingtrustbetweentheTribesandthe FederalGovernment.Aquestionthat consistentlyarisesis, “CantheUnitedStates FederalGovernmentbetrustedtoeducateour children?” NativeAmericansarelivingwiththe traumaoftheFederalIndianBoardingSchool Initiative,andmissingaunts,uncles,brothers,

andsisters.Onlyrecentlyhasthefederal governmentbeguntakingaccountabilityforthe boardingschoolsroleincreating intergenerationaltrauma,therippingof childrenfromfamilies,formultiplegenerations.

Between1819throughthe1970s,theUnited Statesimplementedpoliciesestablishingand supportingIndianboardingschoolsacrossthe nation.ThepurposeoffederalIndianboarding schoolswastoculturallyassimilateAmerican Indian,AlaskaNativeandNativeHawaiian childrenbyforciblyremovingthemfromtheir families,communities,languages,religionsand culturalbeliefs.Whilechildrenattendedfederal boardingschools,manyenduredphysicaland emotionalabuseand,insomecases,died. FederalIndianBoardingSchoolInitiative| U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior(doi.gov)

WhetheritwasPresidentAbrahamLincoln’s declarationtohang38DakotaIndians,orthe 30USPresidentswhocondonedtheBoarding Schoolinitiative,theFederalGovernmenthasa legacyofharmingormurderingNative Americans.

Dr.Mackeysaid, “Mycolleaguesshowupto buildtrustinNativeAmericancommunities. Weshowupwhenit'suncomfortable.Weshow upwhenit'spainful.Weshowupinthegood andbadtimes.Iftheywanttocomeatus,we letthemcome.” TheyincludeDr.Jason Cummins(DeputyDirector),Dr.Michael Munson(AssistantDirector),andDr.Allison Barry(ConfidentialAssistant).Theyall understandthat,historically,ourgovernment hasfailedtheNativeAmericans.Itisnowupto ustobuildtrust.

PassingtheBaton

Ms.GwenLacywasreflectingonher careerandtoldmethatthisisthelongest –shehaseverworkedforacompany. Thistrailblazersaid,“AllNativetolda greatstorywhichleftanimpactonme aftermyinterview.Iknewthatdaythat Iwantedtoworkforthiscompany”. Overthelasteightyears,AllNative’ssuccessin GovernmentContractinghasbeenatremendous successstoryforHoChunk,Inc.andthe WinnebagoTribe.AllNative’smissionand purposeiscenteredontheWinnebagopeople anddrivingbusinessinitiativesthatleadto significantfinancialimpactforthereservation. Thiscompanyiscommunityfocusedwithprofits goingdirectlyintoprogramssupporting everythingfromworkforcedevelopmentand educationtohousing.Shealsosaid, “Iknow whenmyteamperformswell–itprovides positiveimpactsandbenefitsfortheWinnebago people. Thatandtheircommitmentto employeesandcustomersiswhatkeepsme here”.

HumbleHUBZone

Beginnings

Ms.Lacycreditshercustomersfor convincingherofthevalueoftheHUBZone certification.ANGhadbeenproviding exceptionalservicestoDoDagenciesandthe StateDepartmentbutearlyonwasnotawareof thedoorsaHUBZonecertificationcouldopen. Ms.Lacysaid,“Withthecertificationinplace, wewereabletouseitasanothertooltowin work.TheGovernmentgaveusachance.We provideexceptionalservices–lookatsomeof ourCPARs.Additionally,wecanhelpmeet agencyHUBZonegoalstoo.Eventually,the

certificationpaidoff.Wewereawarded programsintechnology,cyber,telecom,and engineeringareasasaresultofourHUBZone status.Becauseofourgrowthwearenowable tobringonotherHUBZonepartners.”

It’sAboutPeopleand BuildingRelationships

Asthistrailblazerandherteamexpanded ANG’sfootprint,shequicklyrealizedthatin ordertowinlargercontractstheyneededmore skilledpartnersandemployees.Shesaid, “winninginvolvesmorethanjustsubmittinga proposal”.Idon'tthinkpeoplerealizehow importantitistogetoutthereandmeetthe rightpeople.Talktothestakeholders, customers(andunderstandwhattheyneed), andfindtherightpartners.Allofthose conversationshelpedusunderstandwhatwas criticaltoourcustomerbeforesubmission.That knowledgealwaysledtoothergreatthingsthat Iconsiderinternalandexternalwins. Employeesandteammatesboththattookon greaterresponsibilities.”

• Partners: TheHUBZoneCouncilwasabig helpinANGfindingtherightteaming partners.TheCounciloffersawealthof information,andtheirExecutiveDirector MichelleBurnettcontinuestobeoneofMs. Lacy’strustedadvisors.Sheconsiders,Ms. BurnettanexceptionalServantLeader alwaystryingtohelpothersbygivingthem useful,insightfulinformation.Ms.Lacyhas

GwenLacy, ExecutiveDirector, AllNative Group(ANG)adivisionofHo-Chunk,Inc. (HCI)

builtanecosystemonsimilarprinciples, whereteamingpartnerstrustandenjoy workingtogether.Thesepartnerskeep findingwaystocollaborateandsupporteach other.Theyhaveproventhatarisingtide liftsallboats,byworkingtogether,theyall win.Thesearethecompanieswherethebig ideasarebeingbirthed,whereinnovation begins,andwheresmallcompaniescontinue tomakemajorimpacts.

• Employees: TheHUBZoneprogramisall aboutworkforcedevelopment.Ms.Lacy enjoyshelpingemployeescontributetheir bestselvestothecompany.Thecompany regularlyinvestsinindividualswhoare lookingforlongevitywithacompanywhere theirworkmakesarealmeaningfulimpact inthecommunity.Theseemployeesare loyal,hardworking,andsomeofthehardest workingindividualsintheworkforce.ANGis willingtolightthepathforthepeoplewant tomakeadifference.

AnExceptionalITFocused InternshipProgram

“SeeYourselfHere–YourOpportunityto BuildtheFutureofNativeAmericawitha ProfessionalInternshipinITInfrastructure”is thetaglineforANGandHCI’sinternship program.AprogramforHigherEducation StudentsthatwanttoexperiencetheITindustry throughexperientiallearningenvironment. Internsworkwithbest-in-classengineers, technicians,subjectmatterexperts,and programmanagersonreal-worldprojects includingtechnology,network/systems, development,andcybersecurityprojectstomeet workrequirementsinsupportofANG’s governmentcontractingbusinessunit; implementingcasinoIThardware,software,and cybersecurity;alongwithenhancingIT operationsandcybersecuritycompany-wide.

WhenIaskedMs.Lacy,ifthisprogramwas increasingANG’squalifiedworkforceshe quicklyresponded,yes,mostcertainly!Her daughter(Cam)startedasanInformation TechnologyInternatANGandaftergraduation becameoneofthecompany’sfirstCyber SecurityAnalystwithANG’sparentcompany HCI.IntheirSummerInternshipProgram brochure,Cameronsaid,“…Ithelpedimprove myprofessionalskillsandgavemethe opportunitytogainhands-onexperiencein informationtechnology,cybersecurity,and networking.Ireceivedtraining,advice,and

insightsfrommycoworkersandothersinthe organization.SoonIwasplayingavitalrolein theITdepartment,assistingincyberalerts management.Ialsoattendedanumberof webinarsforcareerdevelopment.Iamvery gratefulfortheinternship,andIhopethat everyinternexperiencesthesameorbetter.” Ms.Lacy’ssonalsogainedinvaluablework experiencelastsummerasanITIntern.

TeamBuilding

Whatisspecialaboutthistrailblazerisher “Woo”appeal.Anyonethathaseverheardabout theCliftonStrengthsassessmentknowsthata “Wooindividual”isabletoquicklywinothers over.Ms.Lacyisneverintimidatedandloves thechallengeofmakingstrangersnewfriends. WhenshestartedworkingwithANGtheteam wasinthe“StormingPhase”ofteam development.Severalofherpredecessorshad quitwithinthatyear.Folkswerebettingthatshe wouldquittoo.Instead,shereorganizedthe team,offeredthemmuchneededtraining,and providedapathforgrowth.Shelistenedtothe perceivedissuesandhelpedprovideapathto success.

Thisbeganthetrailblazer’sfirststeptoteam building.Sheeventuallyconnectedwitheach memberofherteam.Ms.Lacymadeitclearthat hergoalwastohelpthemworkfromtheir strengths,andthatmeant,insomecases, redesigningtheirrolesontheteamsotheyand theteamcouldsoar.

In2023,herfocuscontinuestocenter arounddrivingnewbusiness,butalsoonbig picturestrategiestoenhanceANG’scontinued growthandoncommunitysuccessinitiatives linkingHCIandWinnebagotoANG.

ENVIRONMENTAL&ENERGY

TheseTrailblazersarelayingthe foundationforeconomicdevelopmentand workforcegrowthwithinAlaskanNative villages.Thatfoundationisbasedon buildingthecapacityandsustainabilityof MintoDevelopmentCorporation(MDC). Mr.IsaacsonandMr.Fagnanibelievethat ifyoubuilditright,theAlaskanNative villagesoftheDoyonRegionwillprosper. UndertheprovisionsoftheAlaskaNative ClaimsSettlementAct,Doyonhasmore than11millionacresofresource-richland acrosstheinteriorofAlaska.

TheVillageWorkforce

Mr.Isaacson wasattractedtowork withMintobecauseoftheadvocacyof a formerMintoChief,RockyRiley,whowas involvedinnaturalresourcesand developmentprojectsinAlaska. Mr.Riley wouldattendmeetingsadvocatingforthe hiringofAlaskanNatives.WhereverMr. Isaacsonwenttoameeting,therewasMr. Rileysaying,“Don'tforgetAlaskan Natives. IfyouneedanAlaskanNative workforce,Icanhelpyougetthem.” He helpedourTrailblazerrecognizethatthe AlaskanNativeswerenotbeingemployed intheseoperations,eventhoughthey're thegatekeepersoftheresourcesbeing mined.Thewealthwasbeingseeninthe citiesbutnotnecessarilyintherural villagesofAlaska.ThisbeganMr. Isaacson’sjourneytohelpbuildupthe villages.

That“buildingitright”hasbeena7yearjourneyforMr.IsaacsonatMDC.As aministerindivinity,ithasbeenhis honortoworkwithindividualsthat connecttheeconomicandspiritual growthofthesevillagestosustainable programs.Whentherewasajobopening

forthepositionasCEOofMDC,Mr.Isaacson applied.TheBoardtoldhimthattheylovedhis credentials,buttheycouldn'taffordtopayhim whattheyknewhewasworth.Hesaid, “Don't worryaboutpayingme.Paymewhatyoucan, andIwon’ttakeapayraiseuntilIgetyouinto somethingsustainable.”

DougIsaacson, CEO, MintoDevelopment Corporation(MDC)

MatthewFagnani, COO, MintoGlobal

PhotoSource:MintoDevelopmentCorporation PhotoSource:MintoDevelopmentCorporation

BuildingFoundations

TheMDCBoardmadeaverysmartmoveto bringsubjectmatterexpertsintoeducatethem sayingwewanttostartacompany,“Minto Global,LLC”toget8(a)certified.Itwas importanttoMr.IsaacsonandtheBoardthat theyhadafirmunderstandingoftheSBA8(a) processandthegovernancefromthe8(a)and HUBZoneperspectives.Mr.Fagnaniandtheir

legalcounselprovidedthemwithan“SBA8(a) 101”boardsessiontoreviewtheprogram to betterunderstandtherulesofengagement. TheywantedtounderstandhowtheSBAviews AlaskaNativeCorporations(ANCs)andtheir specialrights.Theyneededtounderstandother topics:thegovernanceissuesoftheBoard–to management–tothemanagingmember; moneytofundthebusinessinfrastructure;and therealisticexpectationstobecome8(a)andthe timelinetobegintheHUBZoneprocess.MDC listenedtoallthefacts,soughtLegalCounsel, andthenactedappropriatelyonalltheadvice anddataavailable.Asaresult, MintoGlobalhas appliedfortheir8(a)andarewaitingforthe SBAapproval.

Additionally,theseTrailblazerswillprovide presentationstoanyvillagecorporationthat wantstolearnmoreaboutbuildingtheir businessinfrastructure.Mr.IsaacsonandMr. Fagnanicalledthisthe“RonPerryphilosophy” (PresidentoftheNational8(a)Association).Mr. Perrywouldoftensay,“Educationisvaluableto thepersonwhowantstolistenwithopenears.”

Mr.Fagnaniusesthe“8(a)101”presentation toeducateBoardsonhowtheANC8(a) programworks.“Iftheylistentowhatweare telling,them,thentheycouldmakeaneducated decision.Yes,andmaketheinvestment,orno, let'snotmaketheinvestment,let'sgoa differentdirection.Ifwemaketheinvestment, thisiswhatit'sgoingtocost,andthisisthe timecommitment,sorememberworldclass companiescantakeupto3yearstobe successfulintheSBA8(a)program.”This Trailblazerbelievesintransparency;ithasbeen thehallmarkofsuccessfullybuildingAlaskan Nativebusinesses.

PhotoSource:MintoDevelopmentCorporation

PhotoSource:MintoDevelopmentCorporation

PhotoSource:MintoDevelopmentCorporation

TheseTrailblazersarelayingthefoundation forMDC’sgrowth.Theyattendconferencesto preloadtheirpipelinewithvettedpartnerswho canhelpcatapulttheirnewsubsidiaryMinto Global’s success.Theyarefocusedonproviding SocialEconomicBenefitstotheregion.Oneof thethingsthatMDChasdonebetterthanother ANCsistoeliminatethepracticeofhiring individualsonlyfromtheirownvillages.MDCis expandingcontractualrelationshipsforresource developmentprojectstohirepeoplefrom throughoutthewholeregion,includingtheir sisterregion(NanaRegion).Acornerstoneof MDC’sphilosophyis“arisingtidefloatsall boats.”Thisdifferencehaspreparedthemtobe abletogotothisnextstepinanaccelerated fashion.Mr.Fagnanisaidhe “wouldbe surprisediftheyleapfroggoingfromzeroto30 inonejump.”

Entrepreneurship

Mr.IsaacsononceaskedtheMintoBoarda questionthathasshapedMDC’sStrategicPlan. Heasked, “Ifwewerefeaturedonthecoverofa nationalmagazinein10or20years,what wouldyoulikethecoverstorytobe?Theysaid, ‘wewanttobea$6billioncompany.Wewant ittobeledbyourshareholders(AlaskanNative Villagers).Wewantourpeopletogetexcited andtogettrained.’Butnoneofthemarereally trainedinbusiness.Theyareinsocialservices, medicine,teachers,andsocialwork,butnotin business.Weareactivelyseekingwaysto expandvocationaltraining,especiallyas appliedtoresourcedevelopmentandbusinessrelatedskills.”

ThatanswerhasledourTrailblazerto constantlyfindwaystodevelopentrepreneurial skillsetswithinthevillages.OneofMDC’s pusheshasbeentoencourageyoungpeopleto thinkaboutgettingintobusiness,andhowthey canexecuteaprogramthatcansupportthese enterprises.Intheprocess,hetravelledtothe NativeVillageofMinto,whichislocatedabout 150milesnorthwestofFairbanks.Mintoisone ofthefewTribesthatisactuallyonaroad systeminAlaska.MDCaskedtheyoungpeople toimaginewhatkindofcompanytheywould launch.Theyworkedonabusinessplanfora silk-screeningcompanywheretheycouldgoto conferencesandmanufacturersandsellshirts.

Toactualizethisidea,andothers,withinthe Village,theywerecontractedbytheTribal Counciltosetupaninfrastructurebasedon

tribalsovereignty.Itisastructuresimilartoa statewhereregulationsandstatutesarein place,includingforcorporationsandlicensing. Afor-profitcorporationwascharteredbythe Tribemodeledafterwhatsomeofthelower48 tribeshavedoneandnowemployspeopleinthe Villageinseveralnewbusinesses.

Spirituality

OneofthethingsthatattractedMr.Isaacsonto Minto’sBoardwasthemembers’spirituality.He said,“Theyweren’tafraidtoprayduringa Boardmeeting.Theyrecognizedthatthey couldnotdisconnectfromtheirspiritualbeing. Otherwise,theywouldbe shallow.Wewere createdforpurpose.Iandtheboardbelieve thatitisourpurposetoserveGodinthis generation.Youcan'tdivorcethespiritualfrom theeconomic.BessieTitus,Chairperson/ PresidentofMDCsaidtome,‘youknow,I'm struckbyMoses’story.Whatisinyourhand, Moses?That'swhatGodasked.Whatisinyour hand,notwhatisintheotherperson’shand. Whatdoyouhave?useittosetmypeoplefree. Itmayseeminadequate.Godisgoingtobeour adequacy.”

Mr.Isaacsontoldmethatthatconversation withMs.Titusaffectedhimverydeeplyduring theyearshehassupportedMDC’sgrowth. Whenhefeelsabitweary,hebecomes encouraged,basedonthewonderful conversationwithMs.Titus.Shesays,“Godis goingtobringtalentedpeoplelikeMr. Fagnani,orBoardmemberswhowillhelp guideourdecisionsandourbudgets.” MDC continuestoexamineandnurturewhat’sin theirhands:peopleandnaturalresources.

PhotoSource:MintoDevelopmentCorporation

, Director,OfficeofManagement Services,IndianHealthService,HHS

ThisTrailblazerhashadtwoMount Everestmomentsinhiscareer.Thefirst waswhenheassistedinthechargeto establishtheBuyIndianAct‘sfinalrule withintheBureauofIndianAffairs(BIA).The secondwasinMarch,whentheIndianHealth Services(IHS)enactedtheirfinalruleforthe BuyIndianAct.Theseruleswilleventuallybring hundredsofmillionsofdollarstoNative Americancommunities,increasingboththe Native-ownedandHUBZone-ownedindustrial base.

MountEverestorBust–BuyIndianAct

AfterchattingwithMr.Almaraz,Icameto believethatclimbingMountEverestmighthave beenamucheasierfeat.HisMountEverest momentwastheBuyIndianAct.Thislawpassed in1910butremainedburiedforoveracentury. Asayoungman,thisTrailblazerhadheard storiesabouttheBuyIndianActandhowit wouldallowBIAandIHStoawardfederal contractstoIndian-ownedbusinesseswithout usingthestandardcompetitiveprocess.When hearrivedatBIAin2009,hemadeaconscious decisiontostartclimbingthatmountain.Four yearslater,onJuly18,2013,BIAreachedthetop ofthismountainwiththesupportoflocal,tribal, andnationalleaders.Finally,theBuyIndianAct hadbecomemorethanapromisedeferred.

OnJune7,2013,theAssistantSecretaryfor IndianAffairs,KevinK.Washburn,announced thattheDepartmentoftheInteriorhadafinal ruleforIndianAffairstoimplementtheBuy IndianActof1910(25U.S.C.47,asamended). Mr.Washburnsaid, “Thepublicationofthis finalruletoimplementtheBuyIndianActisa majoraccomplishmentfortheAdministration

andawin-winfor bothIndianAffairs andtheAmerican IndianandAlaska Nativebusiness community. The regulationswill providecertaintyfor individuallyowned businesses,tribal enterprises,andAlaskaNativecorporations interestedinsellingtheirproductstoIndian Affairs.Weexpectthiswillhelpincrease economicactivityintribalcommunitiesand providegreateremploymentopportunities wherethesebusinessesarelocated.”

Mr.Almarazsoonsethissightsondoingthe sameforIHS,astheyhadanevenlargerbudget –morethan$1.5B.Hesaid,“Ihadagreat supportsystem,includingstaffandcolleagues fortheBuyIndianActfinalrule.Ialsohad tremendoussupportfrommyleadership;they wererighttheremovingitforward.Itwasa challenge,butintheend,over6yearslater,the finalrulewaspublishedandmadeeffectiveon March14,2022.Ihavelearnedtokeepclimbing andnottocountmyselfout.Whentheoddsare againstme,Irememberwheremystrengthand mysupportstemfrom.So,Imakeitapointto alwaysacknowledgeandrecognizethestaff, theTribes,thepeople,andthecolleagueswho haveassistedmealongtheway,andthis includesNative-Ownedbusinesses.”

ThisTrailblazerwillnowhavetheauthority tocircumventtraditionalfederalguidelinesand set-asideopportunitiesforNative-owned businesses,whichareoftenHUBZones.The roadlooksbrightforNative-ownedbusinesses workingwithIHS.Mr.Almarazcanalready anticipatetheavalancheofopportunitiesthat willbegeneratedbythisFinalRule,notto mentiontheresourcesthatwillbuildand improvelifeinIndianCountry.Healsolooks forwardtothebringingtothecommunitythe dollarsthatwillstrengthentheirecosystem includingeducation,innovation,health,and housing.

Exceedingthe3%HUBZone Goal

WhenthisTrailblazerarrivedatIHS,their HUBZonenumberswerelessthan1percent.He said,“Iwaspersonallyembarrassed;Iwas awarethatallIndianreservationswere automaticallyclassifiedasHUBZones.This

SantiagoAlmaraz

socioeconomic goalistied directlytothe well-beingof thepopulation IHSwas mandatedto supportand wewerenot meetingour goals.Itwas horrible.”

Mr. Almarazknew hehadagreat team;hejust neededto makesurethey hadthetoolsandencouragementtoexceedtheir goal.Heimmediatelysoughtthesupportof JonathanFerguson(IHSSmallBusiness Specialist)andMr.KenTruesdale(Acting Director,DivisionofAcquisitionPolicy).Mr. Fergusonhadprovenhiscommitmentto advanceequitywiththeBuyIndianActandhad garneredrespectinIndianCountry.Mr. Truesdale,withmorethan40yearsof acquisitionexperience,demonstratedhis dedicationtotheIHSMissionandtheBuy IndianActinitiative.Together,Mr.Almaraz,Mr. Ferguson,andMr.Truesdale,alongwithmany others,forgedanalliancepromotingHUBZone setasideswithineveryNAICScode.Thiseffort whichbeganin2016,quicklypaiddividends.In FY20,theyreached3%andinFY22they achieved3.93%forcontractstotalingmorethan $60M.

HUBZoneForecasting Works

Mr.Almarazcreatedaprocesswherebyhis teamaddedvariousHUBZoneopportunitiesto IHS’sforecastinthefirstandsecondquartersof eachfiscalyear.Theacquisitionstaffdidn’twait tilltheendoftheyear,somehowhopingthat theywouldmeettheirgoal–likesomanyother agenciesdo.Instead,theseprofessionals conductedearlymarketresearchtoensurethat therewouldbeenoughHUBZonesetasidesto potentiallyexceedtheannualtarget.Whenthe endofafiscalyearrolledaround,Mr.Almaraz wouldsurveyhisstafftodeterminewhatitems mightbeappropriateforthesubsequentfiscal year.Hesaid,“We'realreadygaugingour forecastforthenextfiscalyear,andforthose

largedollarcontractswearetaggingthemfor certainsocio-economicgroups.”

ThisTrailblazerimplementedmandatory acquisitionpeerreviewstoensurethat contractingofficersandcontractspecialists performtheirduediligencebyincreasingthe socio-economicindustrialbase.Additionally, Mr.Almaraz’steamworkstobuildtheHUBZone &NativeAmericanindustrialbasebyproviding, attherequestofsuccessfulandunsuccessful offerors,ameaningfulpost-awarddebriefing thatelaboratesonanysignificantweaknessesor deficienciesintheofferor’sproposalanda summaryoftherationaleforaward.Thepostawarddebriefinstillsconfidenceinthe contractingprocessbyaffirmingthatproposals weretreatedfairlyandprovidesofferorswith feedbackthatmayassistwithimprovementsin proposalssubmittedonfutureIHScontract opportunities.

ImportanceofaSiteVisit

IHSisresponsibleforprovidinghealthcareto reservationsandvillagesthatareoftenhundreds ofmilesfromthenearesttown.Thus,this Trailblazerwantedhisentireteamtoknowwhy theirworkwascriticalandhowmuchitmatters totheIndianCountry.WhenMr.Almarazfirst cametoIHS,hisentirestaffwasnon-Native.He said,“WhenIstartedtocommunicatethe importanceoftheBuyIndianAct,Icouldsee thattheywereenthusiastictounderstand.In partofconductingannualacquisition managementassessmentsandreviews,I invitedmystafftoparticipateinthesesite reviewstogetabetterunderstanding.This enablesmystafftogetanup-closeandpersonal viewofthelocationsinwhichIHSandTribal healthcarefacilitiesresided.Thisofferedaview ofrealitywherelimitedavailabilityofhousing, schools,stores,transportation,andtechnology. Theysuddenlyunderstoodtheimportanceof theBuyIndianActandthechallengesIndian Countryoftenfaces.”

Listen–WeHaveaVoice

AsamemberoftheSanCarlosApacheTribe, Mr.Almarazisveryproudofhisheritage.But likemanyNativeAmericans,hisfamilybearsthe scarsofvoicessilenced.Hisuncle,asababy,was adoptedbyanon-Nativefamilythatmoved cross-countryandawayfromhistribalroots. Thismoveoccurredwellbeforetheenactmentof theIndianChildWelfareAct(ICWA),which preventedthearbitraryremovalofIndian

PhotoSource:SantiagoAlmaraz

childrenfromtheirhomesbypublicandprivate agencies.Laterinlife,hisunclewasableto finallyidentifyandlocatehisfamily.Although manyyearswerelost,thewholefamilyis gratefultobereunited.

Itisstorieslikethesethatignitethis Trailblazer.Mr.Almarazsaid, “Iexperienceand witnessthestrugglesthatoccurwhen indigenouspeopledon’thaveavoice.Inow hearmoreIndianCountryintergenerational voices.Voicesthatarefinallybeingheardand wearenotwhowehavebeencategorizedas.It isnowtimetotakebackourstory.”

Mr.Almarazisusinghisvoiceeverydayto sayhowvaluableNative-ownedbusinessesare tothenation'seconomy.Theybringinnovation, createmeaningfulemployment,fostersocial inclusion,andimproveproducts&services.

YOUNGDISRUPTOR

Wakjexiskawinga“WhiteWaterSpirit” isonly20yearsoldandhasalreadymade anameforherselfatthenationallevel.I caughtupwithheratthe79thAnnual ConventionfortheNationalCongressof AmericanIndians(NCAI)whereshehad justbeenelectedasco-VicePresidentof theNCAI’sYouthCommission.This trailblazerisafull-timestudentatLittle PriestTribalCollegewhichislocatedin herhometownofWinnebago,Nebraska. AsanAmbassadorfortheAllNative Group(ANG),Wakjexiskawingadoeswhat shelovesmost,conservingourearth's naturalresourceswhilehelpingothersto dothesame.

Social Environmentalist

ThisHo-Chuckwomanbelievesthat herdestinywaswrittenatbirth.Bothher tribalandnon-tribalnamesspeakofthe environment,“WhiteWaterSpirit”and “CharliEarth”.AsanAmbassadorfor ANGshehasbeenabletopromote sustainablecommercialrecyclingefforts onthereservation.Sheissoexcitedabout beingabletoechoher“ancestors’ wisdom”.Ms.Earthsaid,“Iwanttobean advocatefortheenvironment,because mylastnameisEarth,andeversinceI waslittle,Ijustlovedmylastname.I trulyfeltlikeIwasbeingcalleduponto beavoicefortheenvironmentandbeavoice forMotherEarth,andourconnection.”

Ms.Earth’sapproachtoobtainingbuy-inon thereservationbeginsbycarefullylisteningto herstakeholderstounderstandtheirconcerns. Thensheworksoncreatingsolutionsthatmeet theirmissionofpreservingtheenvironment.She said,“Whenpushbackhappens,Ireallydotry toreflectonmyactions,mywords,whatmay havegonewrong,becausesometimesIdothink there'sjustamisunderstanding.Buttheend goalisalwaysmakingthemfeelclosertothe environment–toMotherEarth.”

EntrepreneurialVision

Ourtrailblazer’sdreamistoonedayhavea recyclingandcompostresidentialpickup business;tohaverecyclingmachinerywhich actuallyspinstheplasticandmetalstocreate newmaterials.Shealsowantstohaveawater companywhichusesfullybiodegradable containersinsteadofthetraditionalplastic bottles.Thisyoungdisruptorstandsreadyto revolutionizetherecyclingindustry.

Wakjexiskawinga“WhiteWaterSpirit” CharliEarth), Ambassador,AllNativeGroup (ANG)adivisionofHo-Chunk,Inc.(HCI)

PhotoSource: Wakjexiskawinga

Navigating Intergenerational Communications

Ms.Earthlearnedtheartofcommunication atayoungage.Sheconvincedherparentsthat shewasreadyforthemuch-neededrigorsofa culturallychallengingeducationoutsideofthe reservation.Theyagreedtohersolutionwhich wastodrive2-hoursadaytoattendFremont HighSchool.Shewastheonlynativeinthehigh school,herfellowstudentsactedlikeshewasa unicorn.Whenafewoftheteachersclearly didn’thaveacluehowtopromotecultural sensitivityintheclassroomitwasuptoher–to literallytaketheseunenlightenedteachersto school.Onthoserareoccasionswhentheywould saysomethingthatwasclearlyderogatory,Ms. Earthsaid, “Iwouldhavetogivethefacts insteadofthefiction.”

Onthereservation,sheisabletoencourage youngpeopleandwomentohaveavoice.A voicethatisrespectfultothetribeelders,butyet reflectiveoftheirviews.HerpositionatHCIhas allowedhertopresentandofferayouthful perspectiveonsignificantissues.Ms.Earthsaid, “IhadtogoandgiveapresentationtoaBoard, and80%ofthemwereelders.Therewassome reallypositivefeedback–theywerevery supportive.”

Iknowthatalotofpeoplearegoingto embracemyvisionandwhatI'mtryingto makehappeninourcommunity.Ijusthaveto keepstayingconfidentinthat.”WhenIasked

Wakjexiskawinga,her thoughtsaboutthegap betweentheeldersand hergeneration,thiswas herthoughtfulresponse:

“Theyoungervoices arenotheardmuch,but Idobelievethatifwe starttheconversationof historicaltraumaand thetypesofissuesthat havestemmedfromthat, itwillopentheirminds, totheoldervoices.They canfinallyhearwhatwe arethinkingbecause we'retheoneslivinginit. Weallsufferfromthistrauma.Ithinkthatif ourvoicesastheyoungergeneration,stepupto say,yes,wedoneedthishealingasa community.Wedoneedtohealtogether!We can'tdothisalone,thatwouldbereally powerful.

Thefirststepincreatingaplatformisto acknowledgetheyoungerkidsdohavearight tosaythat,liketheydodeservetoputthatout there.Wedodeservetoacknowledgethat.I'm hopingthatthisplatformwouldallowmore listeners.Theconversationofhistoricaltrauma isaconversation,thatreallyneedstobe.Itisa toughtopic,becausewestartdiggingintothe awfulthingsthathavehappenedforthelast seven(7)generations.Itishardtotalkabout andit'shardtogothrough.ButIthinkthatit wouldbringusmorehealingifweweretohave theseconversations.Peoplecanstart understandingwherethehurtandtrauma comesfrom.Wecanstartgivingsolutionsand createhealingmechanisms.”

PhotoSource: Wakjexiskawinga

PhotoSource: Wakjexiskawinga

THROWBACK

DepartmentofInteriorgoingbacktothe1910Buy IndianAct

EffectiveJuly8,2013,theU.S.Departmentof theInterioradoptedthefinalrulesthatrequires theBureauofIndianAffairs(BIA)togive preferencetoIndian-ownedor-controlled businessesinmattersofprocurement.Therules arethelong-awaitedlaststepinimplementing theBuyIndianAct,alawsignedonJune25, 1910.Althoughtheacthasbeenonthebooks sincethen,itwasunenforceableuntilnow becausetherewerenorulesadoptedfor implementingit.Rulewritingdidn’tbeginin earnestuntil1982andthenproceededinfitsand startsovertheensuing30years.

PASSING PUCK THE

BuyIndianActFinalRule IncreasesHUBZone Contracts

OnMarch22,2022,theBuyIndianActrulebecame effectiveforIHS.ThisruleprovidesIHStheauthorityto setasideprocurementcontractsforbusinessesthatareatminimum51percentIndian-ownedandcontrolled.ThisfinalruleafteracenturyofdebateclarifiesthepreferenceforIndian-ownedand controlledbusinessesandremovesbarriersbyalleviatingunnecessaryregulatoryburdens. IHSiscommittedtoimprovingeconomicconditionsandprovidingmoreopportunitiesfor Indian-ownedbusinessesbysettingprocurementgoalsinFY23.TheIHSpredictsthatchangesinthe FinalRulewillgenerateapproximately$200millionincontractopportunities,anestimated$144.1 millionaboveFiscalYear2021levels($55.9million).Thefinalrulewill: