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Native women are a key part of the business world and discussed women leadership this week at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Nev.
The event is put together by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
Yonne Tiger is a travel attorney and has a business called Show Nation.
When it comes to women lead businesses, Tiger says women bring something different including a different mindset than their male counterparts.
And also, she says Native women are often the breadwinners for their families.
“Sometimes, you’re the main person in their family that’s providing an income. And it’s not always because they’re a single mother, it’s just because of circumstances. They’re the ones that are providing for their whole family, and even outside of their immediate family, a lot of times they’re the caregivers for our parents, and our siblings, and nieces, you know, whoever needs the help. We’re charged with that responsibility.”
Margo Gray is a board member of the National Center.
She wears many hats, and has been a part of RES for many years.
She says women lead businesses are continuing on the up and up, and when it comes to giving women, especially Indigenous women advice, she says make sure to have a plan.
“Do your homework, and I’m telling you, you can go to Barnes and Noble and any bookstore and look how to get into business. Just follow the process. And I just encourage everyone if you have that dream, don’t ever think it, do your homework, and then be ready to take that risk.”
Keynote speakers this week had words of encouragement for attendees like Dakota Louis, a professional bull rider from Browning, Mont.
He says when Indigenous people put their mind to work, they can do powerful things including Native youth.
“It’s going to be hard at times, but it’s going to be worth it. Anything that’s wroth it, is definitely going to test you, and just know that you’re not alone. Everybody struggles through things, there’s good days and there’s better days, just know that Creator has a plan for us all, and just keep pushing forward, the only limit is the limit you put on yourselves.”
More than 4,000 people are gathered together, including tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local officials, and top C-E-O’s to discuss entrepreneurship, business, and mentorship in Indian Country.
The summit wraps up Thursday.
Courtesy Arctic Winter Games
Competition is heating up at the Arctic Winter Games.
The Matanuska-Susitna Valley near Anchorage is hosting the games this year – the first time the international competition has been in Alaska in a decade.
So far, “Team Alaska” leads the Ulu count, medals that are shaped like a Native ulu, a curved knife for cutting fish and game.
The Yukon and Northwest Territories are in second and third place.
Besides the United States, which is represented by Alaska, the other Arctic nations include Canada, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
The athletes range in age from eleven to 18.
At opening ceremonies on Saturday, Alfred Tellman, an elder from the Knik Tribal Council welcomed the crowd.
“Whether you win or not, you’re all winners. Whether you ‘medal’ or not, you’re all winners. You’ve come a long ways to get here. You’ve done a lot to be here.”
One of the big challenges for Greenland’s team was raising the money to travel. But Karl Davidson, who is the Greenlandic government’s official representative for the games, says sports are one way to help young people balance both modern and traditional life.
“Sports over Greenland, are very much influenced by the European style. The Arctic Games are very much less to find in Greenland.”
Davidson says Indigenous games like the one-foot high kick have gained popularity in his country, thanks to Greenland’s participation in the Arctic Winter Games.
The event encompasses a wide range of competitions – from winter sports like figure skating and speed skating – to downhill and cross-country skiing. But the Dene games and other Indigenous sporting events make the Arctic Winter Games a one-of-a-kind event.
Former Gov. Wally Hickel (R-AK) and other Arctic nation leaders founded the games in 1959 to bring circumpolar peoples together.
The manager of this year’s games, Karen Land, says they will help Alaska build bonds for the future.
“It is very special celebrate that. And the great thing about the game, is that the participants all come, and they are all strangers. By the end of the week, they are friends and lifelong friends. It’s just amazing to watch.”
The games run through Saturday.
Today’s NNN was written and anchored by Jill Fratis
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