Agenda & Presenters
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Nimiipuu Fund's 2024 Nation Building Business Pitch Competition and Business Directory, presented in partnership with 'Itamn’ áawit, is a premier opportunity for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to elevate their business ideas and ventures. All events held at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center.
‘Itamn’aawit Program Graduation Ceremony & Business Directory Launch
5 - 6 PM
Join ‘Itamn’aawit's program director, Stacia Morfin, and guests as we congratulate Nez Perce small businesses on their success. We'll highlight on the historical context of Nez Perce economies, highlighting their past, present, and future.
Business Pitch Competition by ‘Itamn’aawit and Nimiipuu Fund
6:30 - 8:30 PM
With the chance to win up to $2,500 in cash, this competition provides not only financial support but also the invaluable experience of refining and showcasing their business plans. Whether you're launching a new business idea or looking to expand an existing enterprise, the Nation Building Business Pitch Competition is designed to help you succeed and make a lasting impact.
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Nation Building Conference Supporting Small Business Day is powered by the U.S. Small Business Administration PRIME Program. All events held at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center unless otherwise noted.
Breakfast & Conference Registration
7 - 8 AM | Meeting Room 3
Register online or onsite. Breakfast will be provided by Nimiipuu Fund and served in the Event Center, Meeting Room 3.
Opening Ceremony & Welcome
8 - 9:15 AM | Main Stage
Introduction and welcome led by Jonelle Yearout, Nimiipuu Fund Executive Director, and Kermit Mankiller, Nimiipuun Fund Board of Director followed by U.S. Small Business Administration presentation by Melanie Norton.
University of Idaho Entrepreneurship Law Clinic
9 - 10 AM | Meeting Room 2
Presented by Dr. Nick Smith
The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (ELC) provides free legal services to entrepreneurs and small-business owners throughout the State of Idaho. The services are performed by students in their last year of law school who have limited licenses to practice law in Idaho, under the supervision of the ELC Director.
Native Business Model Canvas Workshop - Sold out!
9 AM - 4 PM | Miyoxat Conference Room
Presented by Sister Sky Inc.
The Native Business Canvas is a business planning tool that simplifies a traditional business plan into nine manageable concepts. By the end of the workshop, participants will have received essential content on business ideation and completed a Native Business Canvas.
Networking Break & Headshots
9:15 AM
Network with during our conference break and get your complimentary headshot updated with our on-site business photographer.
Entrepreneurship on the Reservation
9:30 - 10:30 AM | Main Stage
Presented by Dr. Nick Smith and Kyle Guelcher
Join Kyle Guelcher, Regional Director of the Idaho Small Business Development Center, and Dr. Nick Smith, Director of the U of I Entrepreneurship Law Clinic and Assistant Professor of Law. This class will provide invaluable insights and practical guidance on launching and growing businesses within reservation communities, combining expert knowledge in business development and legal frameworks to support aspiring Native entrepreneurs.
Opportunities for Contractors
10 AM - 12 pm | Meeting Room 2
Presented by Daucey Brewington
Attend "Opportunities for Contractors," presented by Daucey Brewington, Executive Director of Two Rivers CDC, to explore new business prospects and resources for contractors.
Lunch
12 - 1 pm | Meeting Room 3
Class Canceled: Food Handler Certification Training
1 - 2 pm | Meeting Room 2
Presented by Shawn Blackshear
Join us for the Food Handler Certification Training for Tribal Lands with Shawn Blackshear, Interim Environmental Public Health Director and Senior Environmental Public Health Specialist of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Limited space available.
Introduction to E-Commerce: Launching Your Online Store
1 - 2 pm | Main Stage
Presented by Roxanne Best
Join us for an engaging and informative one-hour workshop designed for entrepreneurs interested in starting an e-commerce business or adding an online store to their existing business. This session will cover essential topics to help you understand the fundamentals of e-commerce, set up your online store, and drive sales effectively. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to expand your business online, this workshop will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in the digital marketplace.
Bookkeeping 101
2 - 4 pm | Meeting Room 2
Presented by Tina Begay, Redtail Accounting
Embark on an immersive journey into the fundamental principles of bookkeeping, essential for anyone seeking to gain a solid grasp of financial management. Throughout this workshop, we will delve into key topics such as understanding the double-entry system, mastering basic accounting equations, and learning how to record transactions accurately using journals and ledgers. We'll explore the significance of financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, and how these documents provide valuable insights into a company's financial health.
Podcast Panel & Workshop
2 - 3 pm | Main Stage
Presented by Daniel Spaulding, Javier Gomez-Garcia, Mikailah Thompson and Kellen Lewis
Don't miss our podcast panel workshop featuring Native podcast guests from Brown Sound Podcast and Quantum Theory Podcast, offering insights and inspiration for aspiring podcasters.
Arts, Culture, and Fashion
3 - 4 pm | Main Stage
Presentation by Program Director / Weaver of First Peoples Fund’s (FPF) programs Jaren Bonillo, 8th Generation and Manitobah's Lor Brand
Explore the rich heritage and contemporary expressions of Native creativity and style.
Model Workshop
5 - 8 pm | Main Stage
Presentation by Celilo Miles
Attend our Model Fashion Show Workshop with Celilo Miles, Fashion Show Model Director and Wildland Firefighter. Workshop is required for Indigenous Revival Fashion Show models. Others attending will gain expert insights and hands-on experience and skills in the world of fashion modeling.
Golf Scramble and Business Networking Night
4:30 - 9 pm | Red Wolf Golf Club
Presentation by Lewis-Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce
Fireside chat with Sequoia Dance-Leighton, Washington Native American Chamber of Commerce Founding Director Leilani Wilson Walkush (Tlingit), and Roxanne Best
Join us at the highly anticipated 2024 Nation Building Business Conference's Networking Night and Golf Scramble, presented by Nimiipuu Community Development Fund. A warm invitation is extended to gather at the prestigious Red Wolf Golf Club in Clarkston, Washington (owned by the Nez Perce Tribe). Embrace the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of economic growth and entrepreneurship with fellow leaders and innovators. Presentations by Lewis-Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce, ‘Itamn’aawit Program Business Directory, Idaho Rez Rising, and Northwest Native Chamber of Commerce, Washington Native American Chamber of Commerce. Free shuttle bus is available from Clearwater River Casino to Red Wolf Golf Club (both ways). Pick up and drop off location at Hotel Front Entrance.
Friday, August 23, 2024
Nation Building Conference Tribal and Rural Economy Day. All events held at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center.
Breakfast & Conference Registration
7 - 8 AM | Meeting Room 3
Register online or onsite. Resource Vendors open and breakfast will be provided by Nimiipuu Fund.
Opening Ceremony & Welcome
8 - 9 AM | Main Stage
Introduction and welcome highlighting The Economic Impacts of the 5 Idaho Tribes on the Economy of Idaho presented by Dr. Steve Peterson, Associate Clinical Professor of Economics at the University of Idaho and Ann McCormack, Nez Perce Tribe Economic Development.
Tribal Energy & Climate Initiatives
9 - 10 AM
Presented by Janet Poitra and Jesse Leighton for Nimiipuu Energy, Pete Upton of Native CDFI Network, and Chrystel Cornelius of Oweesta Corporation.
Networking Break
10 AM
State Small Business Credit Initiative for Idaho and Tribes
10:15 - 11:16 PM
Presented by Casey Pearlman, Executive Director of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation and Mark Bowman, Director of Financial Services, Jill Bosche, Idaho Small Business Development Center (Boise State) SSBCI Manager, John Lane Business Development & Finance Director of CEDA
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a nearly $10 billion program to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in communities across the United States by providing capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth, and success. SSBCI represents a transformational investment in American small businesses and is expected to catalyze up to $10 of private investment for every $1 of SSBCI Capital Program funding to increase access to capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in underserved communities.
Reauthorized and expanded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the SSBCI Capital Program provides funds to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments for those jurisdictions to create tailored programs that offer funding to small businesses and entrepreneurs through equity/venture capital, loan participation, loan guarantee, collateral support, and capital access programs.
In addition to capital access, SSBCI funding unlocks access to critical technical assistance through SSBCI’s formula Technical Assistance Grant Program and the SSBCI Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP). The Minority Business Development Agency at the U.S. Department of Commerce, through its Capital Readiness Program, also supports technical assistance to improve access to capital, including in traditionally underserved communities, with SSBCI funding.
SSBCI bolsters small business support networks – helping participating jurisdictions to invest in the future of the American economy, both on Main Street and in innovation hubs across the nation.
Lunch
11:30 AM - 1 PM
SALMON & Subsistence
12 PM
Presented by Kayeloni Scott, Shannon Wheeler, Nez Perce Tribe Fish & Wildlife Commission Chair Erik Holt, Nez Perce Tribal Department of Fisheries Resource Management Harvest Division Deputy Director Jack Yearout
The Nez Perce people have subsisted on salmon for thousands of years. From oral tradition of salmon offering himself to support the humans, along with archaeological sites along the Idaho’s Salmon River that date back more than 16,500 years. Today the Tribe, Tribal Fisheries Programs, and initiatives are going through extensive lengths to restore salmon, maintain our historical connection and protect our natural relationship.
Networking Break
1 PM
Making Finance Deals work and importance of Tribal Universal Commercial Codes
1:15 - 2:15 PM
Panel discussion with Darren Williams with Nez Perce Tribe Legal Counsel, David Shaw owner of Shaw Law Group, Kim Pate Managing Director of NDN Fund and Nimiipuu Fund Board Member, Ted Piccolo with Mission Driven Finance, Jamie Olson Chief Lending at Oweesta Corporation, Sean Mears Commercial Relationship Manager at Native American Bank
Housing in Tribal and Rural Areas
2:15 - 3 PM
Presented by Tonya Plummer, Director of Native American Housing Programs Enterprise Community Financial and Brian Points, President & Founder of Points Consulting
Presentation from Enterprise Community Financial on Native American Homeownership. Including presentation from Points Consulting on results of the Housing Needs Analysis on the Nez Perce Reservation.
Philanthropy
3 - 4 pm
Panel consists of Rebecca Miles Co-Executive Director of Potlatch Fund, Nikki Foster Program Officer at Northwest Area Foundation, Theresa Diebele from OCCAM Advisors, Molly Sanchez Chief Community Investment Officer from Innovia Foundation, Joel Moffett, Director of Environmental & Special Projects at Native Americans in Philanthropy
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Discussion with foundations and programs that assist in areas of giving, investments, arts, and business.
Business Pitch Award Winners Announced
4 pm
Storytelling, Music and Networking
5:30 pm | Hotel Lobby
Presented by James Whitebull Spencer
Hear the power of storytelling and the rhythms of traditional music as James Whitebull (J.R.) Spencer weaves the stories of our ancestors into the hearts of his audiences.
Indigenous Revival Fashion Show
7 - 10:30 pm | Main Stage
Music: DJ Sub
Master of Ceremonies: Daniel Spaulding and Peshawn Bread
Fashion Show Director: Jacob Wallis
Model Director: Celilo Miles
Join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of Native American culture through fashion at the Indigenous Revival Fashion Show, showcasing the vibrant talent within our Indigenous communities to showcase their unique artistry and craftsmanship in this exciting event. The Indigenous Revival Fashion Show not only provides a platform for Indigenous creators but also strengthens the bonds within our communities by sharing and celebrating our heritage through fashion.
After Party
11 pm | Stadium Sports Bar
Hosted by Indigenous Creatives
Music by DJ Big Rez with other music performers.
Speakers & Presenters
QE’Ci’YEW’YEW (Thank you) to Our Generous Sponsors
Special Thank You to Theresa Deibele, Elke Chenevey and Julia Mahaffey