Since 2022, the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) has been actively collaborating with Indigenous and Tribal Nations to build an inclusive, sustainable, and just business ecosystem through a range of interconnected initiatives. This partnership empowers Tribal communities through capacity-building, entrepreneurship support, and access to Tribal-public-private partnerships.
Our work includes:
Together, we aim to restore value to communities, address systemic biases and inequities, provide access to resources, and drive regenerative growth that honors Indigenous leadership and creates a fairer future for all.
Since 2022, the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) has been actively collaborating with Indigenous and Tribal Nations to build an inclusive, sustainable, and just business ecosystem through a range of interconnected initiatives. This partnership empowers Tribal communities through capacity-building, entrepreneurship support, and access to Tribal-public-private partnerships.
Our work includes:
Together, we aim to restore value to communities, address systemic biases and inequities, provide access to resources, and drive regenerative growth that honors Indigenous leadership and creates a fairer future for all.
A strong advocate of tribal sovereignty, ASBN is committed to ensuring that Indigenous communities and businesses have a seat at the nation’s economic table. We partner with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and businesses to promote economic development and sustainability, fostering a just, regenerative, stakeholder-driven economy that is prosperous for all.
A strong advocate of tribal sovereignty, ASBN is committed to ensuring that Indigenous communities and businesses have a seat at the nation’s economic table. We partner with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and businesses to promote economic development and sustainability, fostering a just, regenerative, stakeholder-driven economy that is prosperous for all.
Indigenous communities manage 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity, yet they receive only a fraction of global conservation funding. (World Bank, 2021)
Native-owned businesses contribute over $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting job creation and local economies. (National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, 2022)
Despite their economic potential, Native businesses receive less than 1% of federal government contracts, limiting their growth opportunities. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2021)
In 2024, we launched the Indigenous Youth Climate Resiliency Through Public Policy Program (IYCRTPPP) with initial funding support from the New York Community Trust. This 13-week program empowered 20 young individuals aged 18-30 from diverse U.S. Indigenous communities to drive change through a policy-oriented lens.
BCCA is a coalition of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community-based business leaders strengthening the collective voice and power to advance conservation, climate solutions, just economic initiatives and policy. Our work is grounded in traditional wisdom and knowledge for just and sustainable triple-bottom-line solutions. BCCA combines grassroots legitimacy with high-level policy engagement to deliver meaningful messages and innovative solutions.
BCCA is a coalition of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community-based business leaders strengthening the collective voice and power to advance conservation, climate solutions, just economic initiatives and policy. Our work is grounded in traditional wisdom and knowledge for just and sustainable triple-bottom-line solutions. BCCA combines grassroots legitimacy with high-level policy engagement to deliver meaningful messages and innovative solutions.
In her opening remarks at the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a series of actions to support Tribally-led conservation, education, and economic development. These included signing an MOU with ASBN. This public-private partnership leverages our business and investor community to support Tribally-led, community-based economic development through a community-driven approach. We currently focus on two main initiatives: the Catalyzing Indigenous Enterprise & Economic Development Program (CIEED), and Buffalo Restoration, which serves as a cultural, spiritual, community, and economic driver by creating a Buffalo Economy.
In her opening remarks at the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a series of actions to support Tribally-led conservation, education, and economic development. These included signing an MOU with ASBN. This public-private partnership leverages our business and investor community to support Tribally-led, community-based economic development through a community-driven approach. We currently focus on two main initiatives: the Catalyzing Indigenous Enterprise & Economic Development Program (CIEED), and Buffalo Restoration, which serves as a cultural, spiritual, community, and economic driver by creating a Buffalo Economy.
A USDA-funded project of American Sustainable Business Institute/Network and Other Half Processing, Growing GRASS is forging resilient supply chains that elevate the byproducts of regeneratively raised cattle and bison. This five-year initiative deploys a team of business, agricultural, climate, community, Indigenous, and industry leaders.
A USDA-funded project of American Sustainable Business Institute/Network and Other Half Processing, Growing GRASS is forging resilient supply chains that elevate the byproducts of regeneratively raised cattle and bison. This five-year initiative deploys a team of business, agricultural, climate, community, Indigenous, and industry leaders.
We are currently focusing on building a Native-led advisory team in collaboration with the InterTribal Agriculture Council and the InterTribal Buffalo Council. We initiated broad outreach to Tribal communities to understand needs regarding buffalo restoration, developed an intake process to ensure easy access to our program for Tribal communities, and began research alongside Tribal communities to identify the climate and community benefits of regenerative grazing informed by Tribal Ecological Knowledge.
The expenses of administering and executing this program will exceed the funding provided by the USDA, so we are seeking additional funds to support the Indigenous-focused aspects of this work. Additionally, given our commitment to supporting Native American-led organizations, we are proud to partner with the following groups, which could also benefit from your support and are happy to facilitate direct connections:
A week-long trip to Washington, D.C., for Indigenous youth was a highlight of the program. This trip included visits to legislators on Capitol Hill, and meetings with the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the White House, and the Obama Foundation. Additionally, participants created impactful policy projects addressing climate change issues in their communities, were trained to confidently present initiatives to policymakers at various government levels and built a supportive network of like-minded individuals. Now the graduates from the program serve as the inaugural group of Alumni who are eager to stay involved.
In 2024, we launched the Indigenous Youth Climate Resiliency Through Public Policy Program (IYCRTPPP) with initial funding support from the New York Community Trust. This 13-week program empowered 20 young individuals aged 18-30 from diverse U.S. Indigenous communities to drive change through a policy-oriented lens.
The program was grounded in four holistic key principles:
focused on understanding and addressing climate challenges
emphasized the passion and cultural heritage of Indigenous youth
highlighted collective responsibility and interconnectedness
provided practical skills for policy advocacy
A week-long trip to Washington, D.C., for Indigenous youth was a highlight of the program. This trip included visits to legislators on Capitol Hill, and meetings with the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the White House, and the Obama Foundation. Additionally, participants created impactful policy projects addressing climate change issues in their communities, were trained to confidently present initiatives to policymakers at various government levels and built a supportive network of like-minded individuals. Now the graduates from the program serve as the inaugural group of Alumni who are eager to stay involved.
In 2024, we launched the Indigenous Youth Climate Resiliency Through Public Policy Program (IYCRTPPP) with initial funding support from the New York Community Trust. This 13-week program empowered 20 young individuals aged 18-30 from diverse U.S. Indigenous communities to drive change through a policy-oriented lens.
The program was grounded in four holistic key principles:
focused on understanding and addressing climate challenges
emphasized the passion and cultural heritage of Indigenous youth
highlighted collective responsibility and interconnectedness
provided practical skills for policy advocacy
Given the program’s success and impact, we are eager to continue this annual initiative, especially given the lack of youth programs in the U.S. specifically designed for Indigenous youth. We invite your investment to help us further support and expand this program.
Historically, Indigenous businesses have often been marginalized and excluded from the broader business community. This exclusion has roots in systemic barriers, including limited access to capital, lack of representation in policy-making processes, and cultural misunderstandings. As a result, Indigenous businesses have faced significant challenges in gaining visibility and participating fully in the economic ecosystem. Recognizing the importance of creating opportunities and fostering inclusivity, we offer discounted membership to worker-owned, women-owned, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color- (BIPOC) owned businesses, as well as Indigenous-led organizations and communities.
Historically, Indigenous businesses have often been marginalized and excluded from the broader business community. This exclusion has roots in systemic barriers, including limited access to capital, lack of representation in policy-making processes, and cultural misunderstandings. As a result, Indigenous businesses have faced significant challenges in gaining visibility and participating fully in the economic ecosystem. Recognizing the importance of creating opportunities and fostering inclusivity, we offer discounted membership to worker-owned, women-owned, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color- (BIPOC) owned businesses, as well as Indigenous-led organizations and communities.
The inclusion of Indigenous businesses is crucial for the holistic development of sustainable business practices. There are unique insights and traditional knowledge that can significantly enhance our collective efforts toward sustainability, resilience and regeneration. By offering legacy-free and discounted memberships, we aim to amplify Indigenous voices, foster economic growth, and ensure that Indigenous contributions are recognized and valued.
Our partnerships with Tribal Nations hold vast potential for both our organization and the communities we are privileged to support.
We invite all businesses, foundations, impact investors, tribal leaders financial institutions, and Tribal Leaders to participate in these initiatives and join us in supporting Indigenous communities throughout the United States.
Terrius Harris, our Manager of Indigenous Partnerships & Inclusive Economy, is available for speaking engagements and presentations on related topics.
