
Nation Building Business Conference
March 28-30, 2023
Clearwater River Casino
The Nimiipuu Community Development Fund (Nimiipuu Fund) is proud to present the 2023 Nation Building Conference at the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge in Lewiston, Idaho. The theme, “’íin timmíyunu’ "I will plan/We will plan" Nation Building Business Conference explores how to support economic development and for our entrepreneurs to move beyond economic parity into economic prosperity. Our design is to connect tribal economic development leadership, tribal economic development staff (including general managers, economic development-related directors, planners, and tribal lenders), small-business and micro entrepreneurs, funders, and industry professionals.

ta’c ‘éetx papáayn / welcome
'iin wées nimiipuu itseyeye pelu titooqatímtki kaa sooyaapootímtki Jonelle Yearout. Welcome, my Nimiipuu name is From the Coyote, my English name is Jonelle Yearout. I serve as Nimiipuu Fund’s Executive Director and am an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. We are honored to welcome you to the Nation Building Business Conference on the beautiful Nez Perce Reservation.
The theme, “’íin timmíyunu’ "I/We will plan" Nation Building Business Conference explores how to support economic development and for our entrepreneurs to move beyond economic parity into economic prosperity. Our design is to connect Tribal economic development leadership, Tribal economic development staff (including general managers, economic development-related directors, planners, and tribal lenders), small-business and micro entrepreneurs, funders, and industry professionals.
We'd like to thank our team, Nimiipuu Fund Board of Directors, planning committees, the Nez Perce Tribe, Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Navigator Pilot program, and generous sponsors.
Qeci’ yew yew / thank you
Jonelle Yearout, Nimiipuu Fund Executive Director
Nation Building Business Conference Schedule
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
8:00-9:00 am
Registration & Breakfast
9:00 am-3:00 pm
QuickBooks for Business with Fran McCully, CPA
9:00 am-3:00 pm
HACCP Workshop with Buck Jones, Dr. Rasco, Dr. Bledsoe
10:00 am-10:45 am
Investing, Stocks, Record Keeping and Goal Setting with Shawn Spruce
10:45 am-11:30 am
Minor’s Trusts Review 18 Money Presentation for Minor's Trust Members and their Parents/Guardians with Leilani Wilson Walkush from Breakwater Investment Group, LLC
11:30 am-1:00 pm
Lunch
12:30-1:00 pm
Minor’s Trusts Review 18 Money Presentation for Minor's Trust Members and their Parents/Guardians with Leilani Wilson Walkush from Breakwater Investment Group, LLC
2:00-5:00 pm
Community Resource Day Elevator Pitch for Your Business with Idaho Connect/IWBC, Susie Rios and Shalynn Kellogg
5:00 pm
Golf Networking at Red Wolf Golf Club; $50/player with Walk-up Registration Available Day of Event
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
9:00 am-3:00 pm
HACCP Workshop with Buck Jones, Dr. Rasco, Dr. Bledsoe
9:00 am-3:00 pm
QuickBooks for Business with Fran McCully, CPA
10:00-11:30 am
Elevator Pitch for Your Business Contestant Run through with Idaho Connect/IWBC (must be pre-registered)
4:00-5:00 pm
Model Workshop with Celilo Miles (Fashion Show Models & Designers)
6:00-8:00 pm
Business Networking & Elevator Pitch for Your Business Competition with Idaho Connect/IWBC, Susie Rios and Shalynn Kellogg
Thursday, March 30, 2023
8:00-9:00 am
Registration & Breakfast with Sponsor Recognition
8:00-9:00 am
Opening & Welcome Remarks with Dr. Steve Peterson, University of Idaho
9:00-9:30 am
Nation Building with Cheryl Ellenwood, Pd.D
9:30-10:00 am
Native Women’s Business Panel moderated by Roxanne Best
10:00-10:30 am
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) by Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians - Economic Development Corporation
10:30-11:00 am
Tribal Agriculture with Spring Alaska Schreiner, owner Sakari Farms, Joseph Oatman, Deputy Program Manager and Harvest Division Director for the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Department, and Mark Bowman, Sustainable Agricultural Coordinator for North Olympic Development Council.
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Government Resources Roundtable Q&A with SBA, USDA, SBDC, WBC, PTAC
12:00-1:00 pm
Lunch Break, Sponsor Recognition, Nation Building with Jackson S. Brossy of Native American Affairs at the U.S. Small Business Administration, & Digital Media in Native Communities with Shawn Spruce, Daniel Spaulding, Kellen Lewis and Mikailah Thompson
1:00-2:30 pm
Federal Contracting with Daucey Brewington, PTAC, and John Dicus
2:30-3:30 pm
Idaho SBDC Presentation and One-On-One Consulting Sessions
2:30-3:30 pm
University of Idaho Law Clinic One-On-One Sessions
7:00-10:00 pm
Nimiipuu Fund Fashion Show featuring Local and Native Artists with Art Exhibit and Light Hors d'oeuvres. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Speakers & Presenters

Business Pitch Competition
March 23, 28 & 29, 2023
Clearwater River Casino
Startup and Existing Businesses have a chance to pitch their business with Idaho Women's Business Center and Nimiipuu Fund for a chance to win up to $2,500. This competition is open to Native owned/operated businesses who wish to apply for funding from Nimiipuu Fund Nation Building Business Pitch Competition. The final grant amounts will be awarded in 1st place $2,500, 2nd place $1,000, and 3rd place $500 for two categories (Startup and Existing Business).
Virtual Pitch Basics: Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 6-7 pm with Idaho Women's Business Center; Online via Zoom:
Business Pitch Training: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 2-5 pm with Idaho Women's Business Center; Clearwater River Casino Event Center
Business Pitch Competition: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 6-8 pm with Idaho Women's Business Center; Clearwater River Casino Stadium Sports Bar

HACCP Training Workshop & Refresher Course
March 28 & 29, 2023
Clearwater River Casino
Nimiipuu Fund will be hosting a HACCP Training Workshop and Refresher Course at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center. Attendees will learn how to properly care for fresh and preserved fish in a way that meets federal food safety guidelines and builds public confidence of Indian caught salmon as a safe and top brand in the marketplace. Class is taught by Drs. Barbara Rasco & Gleyn Bledsoe who have helped fishers for over 20 years. Attendees will leave with certification.

QuickBooks Workshop
March 28 & 29, 2023
Clearwater River Casino
Nimiipuu Fund will be hosting a QuickBooks for Business Workshop at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center. Knowing QuickBooks is our business, and we can help you quickly spot and solve your QuickBooks issues, saving you time and money. Some of the ways we can help you make the most out of your QuickBooks software include:
- Data and file analysis and troubleshooting, in case you’re experiencing error messages or problems
- Cleanup if your CPA can’t do your tax return
- Correcting account balances or reports that don’t make sense
- Helping you choose the right version so you get started on the right foot
- Installation, setup, and customization for your specific business needs
- Speeding up a slow file
- Training and support for you or your bookkeepers to save you valuable time and money
- Customized reports to get you the business intelligence you need
- Add-ons and upgrades, in case you need more functionality
- And much more.

Golf Networking Night
March 28 & 29, 2023
Red Wolf Golf Club
5 pm
Nimiipuu Fund will be hosting a golf networking night at the Red Wolf Golf Club. Attendees will be provided with dinner to-go, golf carts, and side bets. Register online ahead of time of walk-up registration will be available at the event.





Attendees are expected to observe appropriate behavior during the event. This includes, but is not limited to, respect for the presenters, host, and other attendees and a prohibition on any abusive behavior. Attendees are not permitted to share any malicious files or information, or spam, and are prohibited from using offensive, threatening, or violent language when contacting other attendees electronically. The ability to participate and format for said participation is at Nimiipuu Fund’s sole discretion, including the ability to verbally or electronically interact with other attendees. Nimiipuu Fund reserves the right to remove or restrict any attendee due to a violation of these terms and to enforce bans from future sessions or events.