"The preparation of our young tribal entrepreneurs is among the most important economic development needs of our time."
Aukea expanded his organic swine business. By building a community imu (traditional Hawaiian underground barbecue pit), other families can now produce and sell traditional smoked pork products. The public imu helps youth in his community by giving them the tools needed to generate their own income.
Carl created a language-based video game by Native people, for Native people. His game, “Kaga Tipi” (Tipi Builder) engages today’s youth in learning and preserving the Lakota language through the fun of gaming.
Hope created and sold a new comic form of the Navajo creation stories. She educated and encouraged youth in her community to explore healthy self-expression through art workshops at neighboring schools.
Jacob’s dream was the “Arrow’s Journey Indigenous Initiative” – an all-Indigenous-lead media production team designed to inspire and empower Indigenous people through an online series, “The Arrow’s Journey”, and create a new form of video storytelling.
Kevin created virtual and physical educational resources for the modern classroom to teach the Diné (Navajo) language and foundational cultural knowledge.
David launched his tire repair shop in his community on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The nearest repair shop is 50 miles away, and with loose, unpaved roads, the need for tire repair is great.
Josh built his Native-owned, socially conscious coffee roasting company. Ekowah Coffee provides high quality, delicious coffee to companies in the hospitality industry as well as for individual purchase online in the growing specialty roast coffee market. A portion of all Ekowah profits will support Native organizations.
Parrish’s dream was to invest in Native entrepreneurs. By investing in the businesses of Native youth, he impacted their communities and helped encourage his peers that they are not too young to start a business.
Taylor introduced agriculture as a business career to students in the Nebo School District Title VI Indian Education program. Taylor taught younger students and peers hands-on practices and the economic and cultural importance of a career in agriculture.
Freddy’s dream was to establish annual powwows for the urban Native community of Lawrence, KS, creating an opportunity for the local Native community to engage with their culture as well as for investment and economic impact.
