By Jamie Folsom | National Director
Trees, Water & People's Green Business Development in Indian Country training graduated five students in July, and we are now in the process of accepting business start-up applications for the Green Business in Indian Country Start-Up Award.
Aspiring Native entrepreneurs came to the 7-day training from four different tribal communities. Led by former Trees, Water & People (TWP) National Director Lacey Gaechter, students went through the process of researching their potential business resources, creating a vision statement and discovering what it takes to start your own business. Lacey used the Indianprenuership curriculum developed by ONABEN.
The week also included some inspiring and expert advice from those who have created their own green businesses. We called upon local Lakota business owners Bernard Cuny of Cuny Tree Farm and Henry Red Cloud of Lakota Solar Enterprises to share their stories and answer questions about the work they do. TWP Executive Director Richard Fox, a highly experienced entrepreneur in his own right, also lent his expertise to the mix.
Jeff King, a student from the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, said “I have been interested in renewable energy for a long time, but my interest has been magnified in recent years due to more awareness of global climate change and also from working in an industry (coal) that frowns upon the mere mention of renewables. That attitude has made me even more eager to learn and push on behalf of the world.” Your donations are helping students like Jeff take the next big step towards becoming a buiness owner!
This training was just the beginning, and we have already received several applications for the Green Business in Indian Country Start-Up Award. It is exciting to see not only young Native people, but also those who have been in the workforce for years, making that leap to start their own enterprises. The winner will be announced later this fall, so stay tuned!
We want to take the opportunity to thank you all for your continuing support of this exciting venture. New entrepreneurs mean new jobs and renewed inspiration in tribal communities. You are helping create opportunities and empower Native people for years to come. We still have a ways to go until we reach our fundraising goal, so please consider making a donation today. Yakoke!
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