Post by Moon Seeker on Sept 24, 2008 19:16:58 GMT -5
WASHINGTON (BUSINESS WIRE) — A newly formed consortium of Native American tribes has formed so member tribes can buy from and sell to each other in a collective approach.
Called the Native American Group, the consortium is the brainchild of Richard Bowers, president of the board of directors of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a leader in the tribe's cattle operations. It brings together Indian tribes from widespread geographic regions, and from varied economic circumstances.
In addition to the Seminoles of Florida, early participants in the consortium are the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Connecticut; the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin; the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, California; the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Oregon; the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, South Dakota; the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, North and South Dakota; the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Washington; the Campo Kumeyaay Nation, California; and the Yankton Simux Tribe, South Dakota.
Participating tribes met Tuesday at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., to officially launch the Native American Group and present their short-term and long-term plans.
"Our overall goal is economic development for more than 500 Indian tribes," Bowers said. "We want to spread economic opportunity in Indian Country by encouraging more tribes to get into business and by offering more products and services to each other. The consortium offers a ready-made market for tribes with available products or the opportunity to develop them."
Still in the early stages of development, the consortium relies on the collective buying power of many of the most economically advantaged tribes, especially those with diverse business interests. The first focus on collective purchasing is paper products, used by all tribes and manufactured in limited quantity by a few of them, which will have the opportunity to expand their production as demand from consortium members grows. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, for example, produces Nature's Way recycled paper products.
The Native American Group is also focused on beef production, thanks to major herds of cattle managed by many member tribes, and other tribes operating food service businesses that buy significant quantities of beef. The Seminoles, for instance, manage more than 15,000 head of cattle on two reservations in Florida, making the tribe one of the state's largest cattle operations.
"Historically, Indian policies of the U.S. government placed tribes at odds with each other and they were constantly competing for resources," Bowers said. "But these days are different. We've moved into the world of big business, where cooperation is the key to success."
www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/09/24/business/367885.txt
Called the Native American Group, the consortium is the brainchild of Richard Bowers, president of the board of directors of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a leader in the tribe's cattle operations. It brings together Indian tribes from widespread geographic regions, and from varied economic circumstances.
In addition to the Seminoles of Florida, early participants in the consortium are the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Connecticut; the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin; the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, California; the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Oregon; the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, South Dakota; the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, North and South Dakota; the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Washington; the Campo Kumeyaay Nation, California; and the Yankton Simux Tribe, South Dakota.
Participating tribes met Tuesday at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., to officially launch the Native American Group and present their short-term and long-term plans.
"Our overall goal is economic development for more than 500 Indian tribes," Bowers said. "We want to spread economic opportunity in Indian Country by encouraging more tribes to get into business and by offering more products and services to each other. The consortium offers a ready-made market for tribes with available products or the opportunity to develop them."
Still in the early stages of development, the consortium relies on the collective buying power of many of the most economically advantaged tribes, especially those with diverse business interests. The first focus on collective purchasing is paper products, used by all tribes and manufactured in limited quantity by a few of them, which will have the opportunity to expand their production as demand from consortium members grows. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, for example, produces Nature's Way recycled paper products.
The Native American Group is also focused on beef production, thanks to major herds of cattle managed by many member tribes, and other tribes operating food service businesses that buy significant quantities of beef. The Seminoles, for instance, manage more than 15,000 head of cattle on two reservations in Florida, making the tribe one of the state's largest cattle operations.
"Historically, Indian policies of the U.S. government placed tribes at odds with each other and they were constantly competing for resources," Bowers said. "But these days are different. We've moved into the world of big business, where cooperation is the key to success."
www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/09/24/business/367885.txt