Native American-owned businesses

The federal government provides opportunities in contracting, business development, and other programs for Native American small business owners.

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Office of Native American Affairs

The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) facilitates full access to business growth and expansion tools for small businesses owned by Native Americans. ONAA engages in tribal consultations, produces promotional materials, and participates in national economic development conferences.

American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians can use our local assistance tool to find nearby offices and resources. There, you can get counseling on whether our 8(a) Business Development Program is right for you.

Free technical assistance

ONAA offers free technical assistance for a variety of business types. Consider the following for technical assistance.

Group/Location Purpose
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development/Mesa, Arizona Develops and expands the American Indian/Alaska Native private sector by providing and facilitating high quality development and support services to Native American-owned businesses, tribal enterprises, and individuals.
Our Native American Business Network (ONABEN) / Portland, Oregon and Tulsa, Oklahoma Building Native American microenterprise capacity throughout Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Native American entrepreneurs work together to grow in business.
Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI Oklahoma) / Durant, Oklahoma Provides technical assistance to develop small businesses through customized training and webinar sessions. Learn about starting a business, understanding taxes, marketing, human resources, government contracting, and financial management.
Two Rivers Community Development Corporation/North Bend, Washington Provides technical assistance that will be based on knowledge of the SBA 8(a) program and SBA's standard operating procedures; also tribal sovereignty, tribal ordinances and knowledge of working in tribal communities.
Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement/ Kapolei, Hawaii The ‘Oihana project is a small business development program that provides training, technical assistance, and networking opportunities to Native Hawaiian businesses/entrepreneurs.

Other federal programs

The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs provides services to federally recognized tribes. You can take advantage of education, job training, and employment opportunities. These are delivered through contracts, grants, and compacts to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

For more information, visit the following federal programs.

Additional Native American resources

SBA's Office of Native American Affairs has contracted with the following companies to offer entrepreneurial empowerment workshops for Native American communities:

Additional resources are available through the following organizations:

Need help? Get free business counseling

Last updated March 1, 2024