Page 28 - Winds Of Change Fall 2018

There’s no doubt that despite challenges like chronic economic disparity and a shortage of capital (both start-up and expansion), the
number of Native American–owned businesses is growing across the board. In fact, from 2007 to 2012, the number of Native enterprises grew by a little more than 15 percent, compared with the 2 percent growth rate for mainstream businesses. Besides the obvious implications for tribal self-suf ciency, it’s exciting to see career opportunities appearing in places that were once on the sidelines.
The boom in STEM job growth worldwide, especially in elds like energy and technology, is a big part of the story. But there’s more to it. Tribes and individual Native entrepreneurs themselves are nding innovative ways to use their skills to bene t their communities. More than ever, Native enterprises are creating good jobs in Indian Country.
And the bene ts don’t stop with the jobs themselves. The pro ts successful enter- prises generate can be channeled to enhance
cultural teachings, foster education, and support many other projects that bene t communities. Native STEM enterprises of all sorts are also contributing to the local economies in intangible ways. As some communities would agree, “homegrown” businesses are offering hope to individuals who once might have seen themselves as left behind, “off the grid.”
All these growing opportunities are important to AISES. After all, an important part of the AISES mission centers on fostering the growth of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities within our communities. And because the number of AISES graduates is expanding right along with the overall success of the organization, that mission is becoming ever more important.
In our annual roster of 25 Native STEM Enterprises to Watch, you’ll see a variety of elds represented. Gaming is the one endeavor that most people would probably associate with the term “tribal business.” And there’s no question that this technology-rich enterprise is impor- tant to many communities, grossing
nearly $30 billion nationwide. Many tribes can tell a success story about their gaming ventures, whose pro ts have funded health care facilities, provided scholarships, and opened jobs for thousands inside and outside the community.
But when it comes to STEM opportuni- ties in Indian Country, gambling isn’t the only game in town. Here we’ve included several enterprises that demonstrate potential opportunities in a range of endeavors, like aerospace, green energy, petroleum, forestry services, construction, health care, water and wildlife manage- ment, and gaming-funded charitable foundations. In so many places, new businesses are being launched in elds that are lling needs and solving problems in our communities and beyond.
Today’s AISES student members can look to a future that offers unprecedented career choices that directly bene t our communi- ties. It continues to be the goal of AISES to help keep these choices expanding — and help prepare the rising generations of talented Native STEM students to make the most of these opportunities.
26 WINDS OF CHANGE • FALL 2018
aises.org
25
NATIVE STEM
ENTERPRISES
TO WATCH
LOOK TO TRIBES AND NATIVE BUSINESS OWNERS FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIAN COUNTRY AND BEYOND