Indigenous Business Con 2025

You can find the tentative IBC 2025 Schedule below. Remember, speakers and topics are subject to change as the conference dates approach.

• Monday, October 13, 2025

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day Kickoff

  8:00 AM – 9:45 AM

  • Registration Opens (Main Lobby) – Vendor and Exhibitor Setup

  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  Wisconsin Contractor Connection Small Business Networking Pre-Function

  • Hosted by AICCW, WIHEDC, Wisconsin Procurement Institute, statewide CDFIs, SBA
  • Focus: B2B and B2G matchmaking, technical assistance, procurement pathways
  • Target audience: Tribal entrepreneurs, contractors, and buyers
  • Biz pitch prep with business mentors

  12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

  • Marketplace Soft Opening
  • Networking Lunch

  1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

  Opening Ceremony

  • Color Guard and Drum Group – Presented by Kimberlee McGeshick and NATOW
  • Welcome by  Chance Rush and Rudy Indigenous, Conference Organizers and Opening Prayer by Chairman Brooks Boyd (Forest County Potawatomi)
  • Welcome from IBG Co-Founders: Rob Pero, Collin Price, Zoar Fulwilder
  • Ribbon cutting to officially open the Exhibitor Marketplace and Native Artisan Market

  2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

  Kickoff Keynote: Chris James (President & CEO, NCAIED) – intro by Kip Ritchie (Potawatomi Ventures)

  • Topic: National Indigenous entrepreneurship trends and tribal enterprise innovation

  3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

  General Session 1 – The Great Lakes Indigenous Economy

  • Moderator: Samantha Skenandore – Skenandore Wilson LLP
  • Panelists: Fern Orie – ED WIHEDC, Jeff Johnson – Potawatomi Ventures, Zoar Fulwilder – Mavid RED & IBG, Jeff Bowman – Bay Bank, Pilar Thomas – Quarles
  • Focus: Growing Indigenous circular economies and regional investment – Regional Projects, FTZs, Infrastructure, Media, Energy & Housing

  3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

  General Session 2 – Is Cannabis the next green rush for the Indigenous Economy? (Show ICIA DC summit video and Wisconsin Wellness video)

  • Moderator: Mary Jane Oatman – ICIA 
  • Panelists: Zach Wilson – Waabigwan Mishkiki, Michael Decorah – St. Croix, Rob Pero – ICIA, Candace Thompson – LDF, Marcus Grignon – Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
  • Focus: Wisconsin Wellness campaign, Hemp and the Farm Bill, emerging industries, advocacy for wellness, sovereign commerce, tourism crossover, job creation

  4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

  General Session 3 – Entrepreneurial Mindset and Building Your Business

  • Moderator: Alexis Harris – PV
  • Panelists: Carissa Sanchez – Raven Capital, Darren Thompson – Entrepreneur LDF Tribe, Allyssa Verstoppen – Woodland Financial (WIHEDC)
  • Focus:  How to pitch your business – Identity-driven business models and legacy building – We will explain the general stages of starting and growing a Native-American owned business (in contrast to a tribally-owned enterprise) as well as share resources (education, coaching, programs, financing) to keep in mind at each stage of business growth from idea to incorporation.

  4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

  General Session 4 – Tribal Leader Roundtable – Building Sovereign Economies

  • Moderator: Zoar Fulwilder – IBG
  • Panelists: Chairwoman Shannon Holsey, Chairwoman Boyd, Chairman Brooks Boyd, Councilman Thomas Fowler
  • Focus: Tribal-private collaboration, economic self-sustainability, supporting native owned businesses, advocacy

  7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

  Welcome Reception: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration

  • Location: Serenity Room
  • Hosts: IBG & WIHEDC – Recognition of Special Guest (Elders, Tribal leaders, invited guests, businesses)
  • Darren Thompson – Cultural entertainment, Indigenous artisan pop-up, heavy appetizers and drinks
  • Meet and Greet with Gary Farmer and the team from “The 7th” motion picture 
  • 6-7:15 PM: Hoan Bridge Lighting: Evening reception with cultural performances, artisan showcases, heavy appetizers, and a special lighting of the Hoan Bridge to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel.
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025

• 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

  • Breakfast & Marketplace Open

  8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

  Morning Ceremony

  • Opening Prayer by Clayton Winneshiek – Ho Chunk (Collin will confirm)
  • Welcome from MCs: Chance Rush & Rudy Indigenous

  9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

  Opening Remarks – The Indigenous Business Movement

  Speaker: Chance Rush and IBG & WIHEDC (Rob, Collin, Zoar, and Fern)

  Topic: Rising Tides: Building Economies, Empowering Generations  – Break down the break out! (complemented by presentation)

   

  • Recap of Day 1, momentum for Day 2

  9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

  Keynote – Reclaiming indigenous wellness and why it’s good for business – introduced by Mary Jane Oatman – ICIA ED (potential sponsor for this keynote)

  • Speaker: Joseph Rosado, MD
  • Focus: indigenous healthcare data, traditional healing, plant medicine

  Round 1 – 10:15 AM – 11:05 AM 

  A. Powering Sovereignty: Renewable Energy Solutions for Tribal Nations

  Moderator: Isaiah Ness – Sun Bear Industries

  Panelists: Bill Cornelius – Baker Tilly, Zoar Fulwilder – Mavid Red, Ismaeel Chartier – Renew Wisconsin

  Overview: This session will explore how tribes are leading the way in renewable energy adoption, from solar and wind to emerging technologies. Panelists will discuss funding streams, tribal utility models, and the importance of energy sovereignty as a pathway to both economic self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship.

  Key Themes:

  • Building Indigenous-owned energy projects
  • Leveraging grants and federal funding
  • Training tribal workforce for the clean energy transition

  B. Beyond the Bid: Unlocking Federal & State Contracting for Native Businesses

  Moderator: Kevin Chesnik – AICCW

  Panelists: Aina Vilumsons – WisPro, Tammie Clendenning – SBA, Cyless Peterson – WisDOT

  Overview: Federal, state, and corporate procurement opportunities represent billions in potential revenue. This session equips Native-owned businesses with strategies to navigate certification, increase bid readiness, and strengthen partnerships with government agencies.

  Key Themes:

  • DBE/MBE certification and contracting pathways
  • Building relationships with procurement officers
  • Case studies of Native business wins

  C. The Green Economy: Cannabis, Hemp & Indigenous Wellness

  Moderator: Mary Jane Oatman – ICIA

  Panelists: Rob Pero – ICIA, Rusty Schultz – Platform communications, Dr Joseph Rosado – MD, Jason Tarasek – Vicente Law, Calyn Ostrowski – UW Global Health Institute, Michael Decorah – St. Croix

  Overview: Cannabis and hemp continue to be defining industries for Indigenous economic sovereignty. Panelists will connect cannabis’ wellness benefits with sustainable tribal commerce, addressing both regulatory challenges and opportunities for brand-building. Understand the markets in neighboring states and the data being collected. 

  Key Themes:

  • Wellness sovereignty & plant medicine
  • Economic development through hemp supply chains
  • Strategies for legalization and regulatory navigation

  Round 2 – 11:15 AM – 12:05 PM 

  D. Food Sovereignty and Agriculture: Cultivating Resilience and Prosperity

  Moderator: Hinu Smith – Ho Chunk Agriculture

  Panelists: Dan Cornelius – GLIFC, Gary Besaw – TEFBP, Amy Meinen – GLIFC, Kara Black – Feeding America, Lyle Ignace 

  Overview: Food sovereignty is more than access to healthy meals — it is about reclaiming traditional foodways, strengthening cultural identity, and building sustainable economic systems rooted in the land. This session will highlight how tribal nations and Indigenous entrepreneurs are advancing agriculture, from regenerative farming practices and seed sovereignty to emerging opportunities in value-added products and agri-business development. Panelists will share stories of restoring traditional food systems, integrating modern technology with ancestral knowledge, and creating pathways for intergenerational leadership in agriculture.

  Key Themes:

  • Revitalizing traditional foods and seed sovereignty as cultural and economic assets
    
  • Building Indigenous-led agricultural enterprises, from farming to food distribution
    
  • Linking food systems to health, wellness, and environmental stewardship
    
  • Leveraging federal, state, and tribal programs to expand agriculture infrastructure
    
  • Developing markets for Native-grown products, both within and beyond tribal communities

  E. Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Skilled Trades, Apprenticeships & Tribal Talent Pipelines

  Moderator: Cindy Buchko – CBG

  Panelists: Dan Webster – Walbec Group, Brian Mitchell- Michels, Mindy Mulryan – CBG Workforce Development

   

  Overview: As demand grows in construction, energy, and infrastructure, tribes are investing in workforce development. This panel highlights apprenticeship programs, union partnerships, and strategies to equip the next generation with skills for long-term success.

  Key Themes:

  • Skilled trade pipelines for tribal communities
  • Workforce readiness programs
  • Building sovereignty through employment

  F. Financing Native Futures: Innovative Lending & Investment Capital

  Moderator: Carissa Sanchez – Raven Capital

  Panelists: Becky Albert-Breed – Cedar Growth (WIHEDC Chair), Jeff Bowman – Bay Bank, Chris Cote – FACC, Tammie Clendenning – SBA

   

  Overview: Access to capital is a persistent challenge for Native businesses. This session explores innovative lending models, Native CDFI strategies, and partnerships with banks and equity investors to fuel Indigenous entrepreneurship.

  Key Themes:

  • Blending traditional lending with impact capital
  • Pitching your business for a loan, accelerator program
  • Expanding CDFI reach into new industries
  • Building sustainable capital pipelines
    

  12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

  Networking Lunch

  • Cultural music and artisan showcases – Artisan Introductions and sponsor thank yous
  • Fireside chat with Gary Farmer, Anne Marie Gillen, and Stacey Thunder – moderated by Chance Rush (approximately 12:30 start) – Native Led Film and Media – How it’s good for community, business, and legacy 

  1pm – Business Pitches (3-minute pitches judged by Brian Wilson, Kevin Chesnik, Stephanie Taylor)

  Round 3 – 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM 

  G. Tech Sovereignty: AI, Data, and Indigenous Innovation

  Moderator: Abhi Harshwal – Blue Arrow

  Panelists: Robert Janke; Score, Baker Tilly, Oracle, Joe Cornelius – Mavid Media

  Overview: From AI applications to data sovereignty, Indigenous entrepreneurs are innovating in the digital economy. This session highlights tribal startups, partnerships with global tech firms, and the protection of Indigenous data rights.

  Key Themes:

  • Indigenous-led startups in AI & tech
  • Data sovereignty frameworks
  • Workforce development in tech industries

  H. Reclaiming Narratives: Media, Storytelling & Indigenous Advocacy

  Moderator: Stephanie Taylor – Entrepreneur

  Panelists: Darren Thompson – ICT, Abigail Jackson Smith – Partner at JuneBerry, Gary Farmer – (Actor, Artist, and Musician), Anne Marie Gillen – Executive Producer, The 7th, Stacey Thunder 

  Overview: Media is power. This panel brings together Indigenous creatives to discuss how storytelling, tourism, and advocacy are redefining Native visibility. The session explores media as an engine of both cultural preservation and economic opportunity.

  Key Themes:

  • Building Indigenous-owned media enterprises
  • Storytelling as cultural and economic capital
  • Advocacy through film, tourism, and creative industries

  I. Structuring Sovereignty: The Mechanics of Tribal Joint Ventures & Foreign Trade Zones

  Moderator: Peter Spier – Quarles

  Panelists: Samantha Skenandore – Skenandore Wilson, Jana Simmons – Ropers Majeski, Thomas Springer – Quarles

  Overview: Joint ventures and Foreign Trade Zones are powerful tools for tribes seeking to expand business opportunities. This session unpacks models of ownership, equity, and sovereignty that protect tribal interests while fostering outside investment.

  Key Themes:

  • JV structures & sovereign immunity
  • Investment vs. equity partnerships
  • Community impact considerations

  Round 4 – 2:45 PM – 3:35 PM 

  J. Infrastructure Nation: Enterprises helping build sustainable communities

  Moderator: Michael Moe – Greenfire

  Panelists: Bill Cornelius – Baker Tilly, Matt Kunstman – OESC, Tasha Chevalier – Menominee

   

  Overview: Tribes are creating regional infrastructure hubs that integrate construction, energy, logistics, agriculture and economic development. This session explores strategies for aligning infrastructure with sovereignty, sustainability, and generational wealth-building.

  Key Themes:

  • Tribal-led construction and infrastructure models – Native Preference
  • Energy hubs and logistics corridors
  • Public-private-tribal partnerships

  K. She Rises: Empowering Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs

  Moderator: Samantha Skenandore – She Rises Collective

  Panelists: Margaret Rose – ED, Stephanie Taylor – Entrepreneur, Carla Vigue – UW 

  Overview: Women are driving innovation in Native economies. This session amplifies women leaders’ stories, highlighting access to capital, mentorship networks, and data-driven pathways to scale.

  Key Themes:

  • Women-led entrepreneurship success stories
  • Overcoming systemic barriers to capital
  • Building intergenerational mentorship networks

  L. Native Lands, Native Futures: Housing & Real Estate Development for Sovereignty

  Moderator: Fern Orie – WIHEDC

  Panelists: Cheryl Cloud – Housing Director, Kim LaTender (Now Crystal?) – Wolf River Development, Brandi Liberty – Luak Group, Collin Price – Revel49

  Overview:  Housing and real estate development remain two of the most pressing and interconnected challenges for tribal communities. This session examines the full spectrum—from addressing immediate housing needs to building long-term real estate strategies that center sovereignty, cultural preservation, and community wealth-building. Panelists will explore how tribes are leveraging policy reform, innovative financing, and tribally-driven models to not only meet housing demand but also to create economic engines through sustainable development.

  Key Themes

  • • Federal and State Housing Programs for Tribes: Navigating opportunities and overcoming barriers.
      
    • Tribal Housing Development Strategies: Contracting Native-owned businesses, workforce development, and creating scalable housing models.
      
    • Community-Led Housing Solutions: Designing housing that reflects cultural values and community needs.
      
    • Fee-to-Trust Land Transfers & Sovereignty Considerations: Strengthening control over development on Native lands.
      
  • Creative Financing Tools: Leveraging NMTC, CDFIs, and joint ventures to fund housing and commercial projects.
    
  • Balancing Development with Cultural Preservation: Ensuring that real estate growth supports—not erodes—tribal identity and sovereignty.

  General Session: 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

  Who’s in the Room and Recap of Day 2: Chance Rush and Rudy Indigenous, Rob Pero, Collin Price, and Zoar Fulwilder

  Focus: Reflections of Day 2 breakouts – who’s in the room Q&A – get ready for the evening – raffle prizes
  

  Closing General Session: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM

  Building Bridges 201

  • Moderator: Samantha Skenandore (Skenandore Wilson LLP)
  • Panelists: Justin Nishimoto – Oneida Nation, Kip Ritchie – Potawatomi Ventures, President Greendeer – Ho Chunk Nation
  • Focus: Integrating tribal member-owned businesses with tribal governments and enterprises for mutual growth

  4:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Announcements and Prizes (50/50 pull and Packer tickets)

  • Speakers: Conference Organizers
  • Special Guest: State Representative
  • Focus: Announcements, Thank Yous, and Future Directions
  • Location: Main Conference Room

  Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Red Carpet

  Gary Farmer – Gala Dinner, IBG Biz pitch Grant Winners (2), and Awards Ceremony (networking reception from 6-6:45pm, seated at 6:45 with dinner served by 7pm, Intro to Gary Farmer and keynote from 7:10-7:30ish, followed by IBG Grant winners and IBG business awards and final thank you’s and acknowledgments, Rudy and Chance dance party & Packer tickets (2). Come dressed to impress & ready to mingle – formal or Indigenous-inspired attire encouraged.

  • Location: Grand Ballroom
  • Entertainment: Traditional Dance and DJ
  • Awards: 
    • Business of the Year
    • Outstanding Business Leader
    • Outstanding Tribal Owned Business or Enterprise
    • Creative of the Year
    • Non-Profit of the Year
  • Hosted by: Chance Rush & Rudy Indigenous
  • Cultural performances, artisan shopping

  NOTE: Agenda subject to change