April 15, 1998
Business
5
Conference to balance business development
with preserving Native cultures
On May 15-19, representatives from Native
American tribes and organizations will gather in
Portland, Oregon to learn how to create opportu
nities for business development without sacrific
ing their community, culture or people. At First
Nations Development Institute's Ninth Annual
Oweesta Conference, Native Americans will learn
how to acquire the financial backing needed to get
a project off the ground, start or expand a busi
ness and manage it effectively, use natural resources
in an economical, sustainable way, and create
change by educating and inspiring the public.
The Oweesta Conference is one of the few exist
ing opportunities for Native American tribes and
people, many of whom are geographically isolated,
to come together and learn from one another and
top experts in community development and the
world of finance. Each year, the conference at
tracts Native Americans representing nearly 50
tribes from over 20 states (including Alaska and
Hawaii). This year's keynote speaker is Pearl
Capoeman Bailer, Tribal Chairwoman of the
Quinault Indian Nation.
This year, First Nations will collaborate with
American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL), a na
tional organization which mentors college students
from over 28 tribal colleges and universities.
Oweesta '98 will bring together business leaders
of tomorrow with leaders of today.
Oweesta '98 will include 19 workshops that pro
vide concrete steps and skills, so that participants
may take what they learn back to their communi
ties and create change, ... f, . ...
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The Tribe's Small Business Development
Department includes a Business Informa
tion Center (BIC). There are many busi
ness related materials available for any
one interested in starting or already oper
ating a small business. The lab and li
brary are open for use. Please call first
for availability.
MONDAY from 1 to 3:30 p.m
April 20: Windows 3.1
April 27: Windows '95
WEDNESDAY from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
April 22: Excel
April 29: Tower Point
FRIDAY from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
April 17: introduction to the Internet
April 24: GroupWise and Network
Computer classes are FREE to tribal mem
bers and staff. $10 for non-tribal mem
bers. You must pre-register by calling
Doug Hampton at 879-2484 or Barbara
Lake at 879-2476. The computer lab and
Business Center are located at 28840
Salmon River Highway.
Workshops are divided into four subject tracks:
Private Sector Financing Alternatives;
Tribal or Non-Profit Business Development;
Policy in Action: The mechanics of making
change happen; and
Stewardship: Balancing natural resources and eco
nomic development.
The cost of the Oweesta conference is $250 for
early bird registration, and $325 after April 24.
Some scholarships are available to those who can
not afford to attend the conference and are involved
in implementing sustainable economic develop
ment initiatives within their communities.
"An important component of the conference is
networking," said Rebecca Adamson (Cherokee),
president and founder of First Nations. "Geo
graphic isolation prevents access to the formal
training that reservation economic development
demands. Oweesta breaks that isolation barrier
by bringing together tribal practitioners, financial
experts, non-profit professionals, entrepreneurs,
and policy makers, so they can work on develop
ment choices that reinforce Native cultures and tra
ditions," said Adamson.
First Nations Development Institute is a Native
controlled, non-profit organization founded 18
years ago to help Native American communities
gain economic self-sufficiency. In just four years,
First Nations' technical assistance and grant mak
ing program, the Eagle Staff Fund, has awarded
101 grants totaling over $4.1 million to projects.
To register for the conference, please contact
First Nations at (540) 371-5615.
Business experts
to speak on topics
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Small
Business Development Department and the ONA
BEN Starting a Successful Business class present
guest speakers on various Business Topics:
MARKETING
On Thursday, April 16, marketing expert Judy
Trotter will discuss marketing strategies for differ
ent types of products and services. Come and get
some great ideas for marketing your product, ser
vice, or idea.
- FINANCING
On Thursday, April 23, Bo Yun from Borrego
Springs Bank (a tribally owned bank and SBA pre
ferred lender), will facilitate a presentation on what
it takes for Small Businesses to secure financing.
Come and meet the lenders.
BOOKKEEPING
On Thursday, April 30, Doug Everson from Val
ley Bookkeeping will discuss the importance of
good bookkeeping. Get some tips on setting up
systems to track your accounts receivable, accounts
payable, payroll, quarterlies, etc.
Each of these scheduled sessions will be held at
5:30 p.m. in the Grand Ronde Room, located at
28840 Salmon River Highway in Grand Ronde.
All of these presentations are open to the public,
all business owners and potential entreprenuers.
For more information or to sign up call the Con
federated Tribes of Grand Ronde Small Business
Department at 879-2479.
The Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that they are going
to have a gathering of all Native Americans. This gathering is to have Native Americans join as one
single unit. The Chamber would like representation of all tribes in Oregon as well as tribes located
across the United States.
The Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce was established December 14, 1995. The
Chamber's primary goal was to achieve improvement of business conditions and economic growth
and stability for Native American communities in Oregon through:
promotion and support of quality oriented Native American owned businesses and professionals
education and training of Native Americans to compete effectively in the global economy
provision of high-quality benefits to members of the Chamber
We can accomplish more as one single unit than we can as separate entities operating on our
own. As a united group we have more purchasing power, more political power and more visibility
in the community. We hope that everyone will support this endeavor. It will be a benefit to all.
How many of you know:
1) the types of employment opportunities open to Native Americans?
2) the number and types of scholarships available to your children?
3) about ONABEN?
4) about U1SHE?
5) about AISES?