Private Sector Development with Native Youth Entrepreneurs
Creating a private sector on Native American lands is critical to a sustainable economy which we aim to contribute to every summer with our Native American Youth Entrepreneur Program (NAYEP). During the week of June 13 – 17, 2022, our NAYEP team (Joan Timeche, Danielle Hiraldo, Andrew Martinez, and Mara Castro) worked with twelve Native American high school students to create and actualize their business plans. Invited guests were Shayai Lucero (Laguna), owner of Earth and Sky Floral Designs as Keynote Speaker, and Candace Hamana (Hopi/Navajo) from Badger PR as Business Pitch Judge.
The youth entrepreneurs were introduced to business development (both on and off reservations), marketing basics, and how starting their business supports Native nation (re)building. Students completed a business plan outline and a promotional/marketing flyer, and then presented a video business pitch at the Business Pitch Showcase. Instructors’ ratings and the judge’s vote determined the first and second place winners (two tied for 2nd place) and peer voting determined other award winners and accolades. We look forward to the future for these youth entrepreneurs and are excited to see their businesses grow!
The 2022 Entrepreneurs & Businesses:
Brother's Dumpster Cleaning Service by ASHER ATKINSON (Navajo Nation)
Day Lee Depictions by D’ANDRA TWO MOONS (Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation)
Aperture Industries by GABRIEL COPPEDGE (Gila River Indian Community)
B & W POW WOW Creations by ISABELLA WRIGHT (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska)
Ribbon Skirts for Dolls by IVY WILLIAMS (Cherokee Nation)
Cookies by Justice by JUSTICE HUDSON (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Just Tech Repairs by JUSTIN MANUEL (Tohono O’odham Nation)
Jam4Change by MIA MURDOCK (Yurok Tribe of the Yoruk Reservation)
Lilly's Gallery by MIA PEREZ (Cherokee Nation)
Rose and the Maries Obsessions by SYDNEY SHELTON (Seneca-Cayuga Nation)
Sip n Lick by TERYNN TORTALITA (Navajo Nation)
Native Woodworks by UNIQUE JIM (Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation of Idaho)
Thank you to our generous 2022 sponsors:
The Association on American Indian Affairs