Indigenous Business Con 2024

2024 Indigenous Biz Con Schedule

*Schedule and topics subject to change

• Monday, October 14

• 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Registration (Open all day)

  • Location: Main Lobby

  8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) Programming

  • 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Welcome by WIHEDC Leadership and BOD
  • 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM: SBA Micro Loan Program & Initiate Prosperity Program
  • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: BMO Zero Barriers to Business
  • 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Q&A and Networking

  12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch

  • Location: Main Dining Hall

  1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Welcome Address for IBC 2024

  • Kimberlee McGeshick – Color Guard and Blessing – Opening Ceremony – Fire Nation Drum Group 
  • Speakers: Chance Rush and Rudy Indigenous, Conference Organizers and Chairman Crawford (FCP)
  • Prayer: Brooks Boyd – FCP

  2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: General Session 1: The Diverse Indigenous Economy Is Positioned For Growth

  • Panelists: Jeff Bowman – Bay Bank, Fern Orie – WIHEDC, Mary Jane Oatman – ICIA, Larry Wright – NCAI

  3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: General Session 2: Billions Of Dollars for Indian Economic, Business, and Workforce Development

  • Panelists: USDA, Dept of Energy, Housing and Infrastructure

  3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: General Session 2: WI DOT Updates, “Beyond Tribute,” Small Business Showcases

  • Presenter: DOT Representative
  • Presenter: “Beyond Tribute” – MPS documentary project – Carole Amour

  4:15 PM – 5:00 PM: General Session 3: Tribal Leader Roundtable on Economic Self-Sustainability and Collaborative Partnerships

  • Panelists: Councilman/Food Sovereignty Advocate Jacob Butler – Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Governor Steve Lewis – Gila River Indian Community, Chairman Robert VanZile – Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Tyler Prescott – Lower Sioux Council Member

  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Welcome Reception

  • Co-Hosted by: WIHEDC and Indigenous Business Group (IBG)
  • Location: Conference Hall
  • Special Event: Lighting of the Hoan Bridge and Drum Performance with Fire Nation
• Tuesday, October 15

• 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Breakfast & Registration Open

  • Location: Main Dining Hall

  8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Opening Prayer and Ceremonies 

  • Speakers: Chance Rush – Clayton Winneshick (traditional chief)

  9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Summit Kick off and Welcome

  • Speaker: Chance Rush and IBG
  • Topic: Revitalizing Traditions – Driving Innovation

  9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Keynote Address 

  • Speakers: Mary Jane Oatman (Nez Perce) 
  • Speakers: Dr. Gerald Ignace

  10:15 AM – 11:05 AM: Breakout Sessions

  • Session A:  Energy and Infrastructure Solutions and Partnerships
    • Location: Prosperity Room
    • Moderator: Zoar Fulwilder – Mavid Red, Isaiah Ness – Sun Bear, Joe Davis – CBG, Brian Mitchell – Michels
  • Session B: Contracting Opportunities for Native Owned Businesses with Federal, State, and Corporate Entities
    • Location: Inspire Room
    • Panelists: Benjamin Blanc – Government Contract Specialist at WPI, Cyless Peterson – DOT, Adrien
  • Session C: Emerging Industries: Cannabis and Hemp
    • Location: Clarity Room
    • Hosted by: Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and WIICAN (Michael Decorah – St Croix Chippewa)

  11:15 AM – 12:05 PM: Breakout Sessions

  • Session D: DBE Certifications and Advancements in Labor & Construction
    • Location: Prosperity Room
    • Moderator: Joe Davis – Construction Business Group
  • Session E: Tribal Housing and Access to Funding (WIHEDC, GLIHA, HUD, USDA)
    • Location: Inspire Room
    • Moderator: Housing Finance Expert (Jeff Bowman – Bay Bank and Fern Orie – WIHEDC)
  • Session F: Hemp supply chain development in Indian country (what does the market look like for Indian Country)
    • Location: Clarity Room
    • Moderator: Jake Bergmann – Iconoclast, Mary Jane Oatman – ICIA, Rob Pero – Canndigenous, Robert Larsen Jr.,  Mel Berry, Jesse Berry-  Lower Sioux – Tyler Prescott Council Member

  12:15 PM – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch

  • Location: Main Banquet Hall
  • Special Feature: Keynote from “Prey” and  “The 7th” Jhane Myers- Producer

  1:45 PM – 2:35 PM: Breakout Sessions

  • Session G: Indigenous Tourism, Cuisine, and Food Sovereignty (across the country)
    • Location: Prosperity Room
    • Panelists: Daniel Cornelious – GLIFC, Mary Jane Oatman – Nez Perce,
  • Session H: Capacity Building for Winning Grants in Energy and Housing
    • Location: Inspire Room
    • Moderator: Isaiah Ness and Bill Cornelius
  • Session I: Run Your Business with Purpose & Intention – Driving your passions while growing your Business
    • Location: Clarity Room
    • Panelists: Crystal/Cheyenne (Good Words Travel), Heather Cloud (AICCW E.D.), Pamela Boivin (NCN), Amy Hacker (White Buffalo Trucking)

  2:45 PM – 3:35 PM: Breakout Sessions

  • Session J: Real Estate Development and Opportunities
    • Location: Prosperity Room
  • Session K: Building financial strength and partnerships for Indigenous businesses, enterprises, and tribes
    • Location: Inspire Room
  • Session L: Native media and storytelling – A Native Renaissance
    • Location: Clarity Room
    • Moderator: Anne Marie Gillian, Cara Jade Meyers, Jhane Meyers, Darren Thompson – Sacred Defence Fund

   

  3:45 PM – 4:35 PM: General Session 3: Building Bridges Between Tribe-Owned Businesses and Tribal Enterprises

  • Panelists: Leaders from Tribe-Owned Businesses and Tribal Enterprises (PV, OESC, MTE, 12 Clans, LDF Holdings)

   

  4:35 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Announcements

  • Location: Main Conference Room

   

  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

  • Location: Grand Ballroom
  • Keynote: Sean Sherman
  • Entertainment: Traditional Dance and Music