Tribal economic development is the work of building durable revenue, jobs, infrastructure and opportunity under the authority and priorities of a Tribal Nation. It can include Nation-owned enterprises, private Native businesses, procurement, tourism, energy, construction, technology, gaming, finance and partnerships.
Why Tribal Economic Development Is Different
There is no single Tribal economic-development model. Tribal Nations are distinct governments with their own laws, lands, priorities, assets and community goals. Business strategy therefore has to be understood in the context of sovereignty rather than treated as ordinary municipal or corporate development.
Common Economic Development Models
- Nation-owned enterprises and holding companies
- Native-owned private businesses and entrepreneurship
- Government and corporate procurement
- Tourism, hospitality and cultural enterprise
- Gaming and entertainment where applicable
- Energy and natural-resource development
- Construction and infrastructure
- Technology and professional services
- Arts, fashion and direct-to-maker commerce
Sovereignty and Economic Strategy
Economic development can give Tribal governments additional tools to fund services, create employment and pursue long-term priorities. The exact legal and business environment varies by Nation and jurisdiction, so businesses should not assume that one Tribe’s structure or priorities apply to another.
Procurement as an Economic Development Tool
Procurement can move spending toward Native-owned companies and create relationships between Tribal enterprises, governments, corporations and suppliers. Conferences such as the Reservation Economic Summit create dedicated environments for these connections.
See our RES Buy Native procurement guide.
RES and Tribal Economic Development
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s annual Reservation Economic Summit brings Tribal leaders, Native entrepreneurs, buyers, government representatives and corporations together around business and economic opportunity.
Indigenous Business Leaders
Economic development is also driven by founders, executives and community builders. Explore Indigenous business leaders changing who builds the future.
