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AI legalese decoder: Empowering Native American-Owned Businesses with Tailored Minority Enterprise Certification

A new national nonprofit, the National Native American Supplier Council (NNASC), has launched in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the goal of empowering Native American-owned companies and tribal entities by providing them with a minority enterprise certification that is specifically tailored to the needs of their growing business community. The NNASC, which was launched on September 20 at the Great Lakes Tribal Economic Summit, aims to help these companies bypass existing certifying bodies that have hindered their access to valuable resources for business growth.

The Need for a Specialized Certification Process

According to Julio Martinez, Chairman of NNASC’s board of directors and CEO of Mno-Bmadsen, the non-gaming investment arm of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, the existing certification bodies often fail to recognize the unique structure and nuances of tribal-owned companies. The word “tribe” tends to overshadow the fact that each tribe is unique and has its own structure. Therefore, it takes someone with knowledge and understanding of the tribal space to properly vet and certify these organizations. The NNASC aims to bridge this gap by providing a certification process that is sensitive to the complexities of tribal-owned businesses.

Challenges Faced by Tribally-Owned Companies

Tribally-owned investment entities face challenges when trying to certify businesses in their portfolios, as they often operate as holding companies with existing management in place to operate and grow the companies. This contradicts the existing certification requirements that demand minorities to own, operate, and control the companies in question. As a result, many tribally-owned companies in Michigan have faced exclusion from the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, a body that vets “Minority Business Enterprise” certifications.

The Unique Role of NNASC

The NNASC is a first-of-its-kind organization that aims to fill the gap in understanding and provide qualified companies with MBE certifications specific to the tribal community. By obtaining NNASC certification, these entities will gain access to business opportunities with publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 corporations that have diversity spending goals. A recent study predicts that companies globally will increase their diversity spending goals by over 50% by 2025, with a focus on underrepresented diversity groups.

Certifying Native-Owned Companies

By accepting NNASC’s certification, corporations are acknowledging the need for Native Americans to have a seat at the table in supplier diversity efforts. Jason Palmer, Executive Director of NNASC and a member of the Gun Lake Tribe, emphasizes the importance of Native-owned companies being certified by individuals who understand and respect tribal membership. Native-owned businesses can benefit from the NNASC certification by expanding their reach and contributing to economic equity among tribal communities.

Focus on Awareness and Growth

NNASC’s initial priority is to create awareness of the new certification process. The organization has engaged in discussions with corporations that have shown a willingness to accept NNASC’s certification, although fewer than ten Native-owned companies have begun the certification process thus far. NNASC is based in downtown Grand Rapids and plans to expand its services beyond the Midwest to both coasts within the next two years. This expansion is crucial as tribes and tribal economic development corporations seek to diversify their portfolios and revenue streams.

Building a Sustainable Future

Martinez emphasizes the need for tribes and tribal economic development corporations to create businesses that can provide long-term services to their citizens. Diversifying revenue streams is vital, as reliance on a single revenue source can be risky. By providing tailored certifications, the NNASC aims to create a significant impact on the economic stability and growth of tribes and tribal communities, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

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