The current national unemployment rate, hovering below 4 percent as of June, gets a lot of attention in the press — and from politicians touting a “great” economy. But the picture is not rosy for all Americans. According to the December 2018 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report Broken Promises: Continuing Federal Funding Shortfall for Native Americans, approximately 12 percent of Native Americans are unemployed. That’s more than triple the current national average, but those living on reservations are looking at an unemployment rate of about 50 percent — in some tribal communities the rate soars as high as 80 percent. And many of those reservation residents who do work must commute long distances, and even so the income gap is substantial: the median household income for Native Americans of $39,719 is one-third less than that of white Americans.
So it’s especially important to take time to focus on job creation in Native communities. And there the news is better. According to the SBA’s Survey of American Indian–and Alaska Native–Owned Businesses, there are more Indigenous business owners under age 35 than the national average. And the growth in the number of Native-owned businesses — 15 percent from 2007 to 2012 (the latest census data available) — outpaces the 2 percent national average growth in the number of businesses. That trend makes it exciting to speculate about possible implications for career opportunities appearing in places that were once on the sidelines.
When Native enterprises create good jobs in Indian Country, look for the benefits to be far reaching. More dollars in circulation on reservations translates to improved education, health, and housing options, which in turn attract more skilled people to stay in or come home to the community. This well-trained workforce may be expected to staff — and start — more new businesses. Many communities place a premium on cultural preservation, and when prosperity makes funds available for endeavors like language instruction, teaching tribal knowledge, and researching history and heritage, more jobs will be created for specialists like teachers, librarians, and archivists while strengthening community ties for all members.
Job growth in Indian Country and beyond is also important to AISES as an organization. Fostering the growth of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities within our communities is central to the AISES mission. And as the organization grows and extends its reach, the number of AISES graduates will continue to multiply — and delivering on the AISES mission will be increasingly important.
In our annual roster of 25 Native STEM Enterprises, you’ll see a variety of fields represented and contrary to what is often supposed, when it comes to STEM opportunities in Indian Country, gambling, while important, is far from the only game in town. In addition, we are taking a closer look at some representative organizations among the 25 and people behind them who are helping to build the future for Indigenous STEM professionals.
This roster of 25 Native STEM Enterprises is not intended to be a definitive list. Instead, it is meant to be representative of the variety of organizations large and small that are making Indian Country an increasingly interesting place to be for STEM professionals. Enterprises on the list were chosen based on broad criteria, such as workforce and business development, philanthropy, support of education, STEM knowledge, and overall corporate values.
Portland, Ore.
FIELD: Architecture and engineeringTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation)akana.us
Bismarck, N.D.
FIELD: Environmental ServicesTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Comanchebcarch.org
Hayward, Wisc.
FIELD: EngineeringTRIBAL AFFILIATION: White Earth Nationctlresources.com
Claremore, Okla.
FIELD: Sales and support for technology and business productsTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Cherokee Nationokcds.com
Tulsa, Okla.
FIELD: SoftwareTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Kawconsumeraffairs.com
Milwaukee
FIELD: Data storageTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Forest County Potawatomidataholdings.com
Cherokee, N.C.
FIELD: Educational support for STEM studentsebci.com
FIELD: Health careTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Multiplefirstnationhealthcare.com
Crandon, Wis.
FIELD: Educational support for STEM studentsfcpotawatomi.com
FIELD: Construction managementTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Forest County Potawatomigreenfire.com
Pembroke, N.C.
FIELD: Educational support for STEM studentslumbeetribe.com
New Town, N.D.
FIELD: Government contractor, defense, real estate, business servicesTRIBAL AFFILIATION: MHA Nationmellc.co
Keshena, Wis. (Menominee Reservation)
FIELD: Sustainable forestry, lumber supplierTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Menominee Nationmtewood.com
FIELD: General contracting and construction managementTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Lumbeemetconus.com
Uncasville, Conn.
FIELD: Renewable energyTRIBAL AFFILIATION: The Mohegan Tribemohegan.nsn.us
Eagle Butte, S.D.
FIELD: Biomedical researchTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Multiple tribes, primarily Cheyenne River Sioux Tribenativebio.org
Window Rock, Ariz.
FIELD: Educational support for STEM studentsTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Navajo Nationodsmt.org
FIELD: Educational support for STEM studentsTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservationnhsc.edu
FIELD: Construction, engineering, environmental science, transportationTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Oneida Nation of Wisconsinoescgroup.com
Ithaca, N.Y.
FIELD: Wood productsTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Cayuga Indian Nation of New Yorkongweoweh.com
Pawnee, Okla.
FIELD: AgricultureTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Pawnee Nationfacebook.com/pawneeseedpreservation
Tucson, Ariz.
FIELD: Engineering and designTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Navajo Nationriley-eng.com
Oklahoma City
FIELD: Medical testing servicesTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Chickasawtribaldiagnostics.com
Belcourt, N.D.
FIELD: Data researchTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indianstnrg.org
Nipissing First Nation, Ontario, Canada
FIELD: Forestry, high-performance paintingTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Nbisiing Anishinaabegyoungforestryservices.com
FIRST NATIONS AND INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS ARE CREATING JOBS AND BUILDING COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA. HERE ARE JUST A FEW.
Waskaganish, Quebec
FIELD: Air transportTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Creeaircreebec.ca
Edmonton, Alberta
FIELD: FilmmakingTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Niaka’pamuxdirectorgeneral.ca
Oshweken, Ontario
FIELD: Consulting engineeringTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Six Nations of the Grand Riverfnesl.ca
Membertou, Nova Scotia
FIELD: Web design and hostingTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Mi’kmaqnative.ca
Kahnawake, Quebec
FIELD: Natural bath and body productsTRIBAL AFFILIATION: Creesequoiasoaps.com
