President’s Message – January 2024
Osiyo, and Completely satisfied New 12 months! I hope 2024 is off to a unbelievable begin for you and your family members. The Nationwide Heart has a packed agenda for 2024, and I can’t wait to see you at a few of our occasions.
However first, I’d wish to share some nice developments that occurred on the finish of 2023. For years, strengthening and rising the Purchase Indian Act has been one in all our high priorities. When you’re not acquainted, the Purchase Indian Act is a century-old legislation that mandates the Division of Inside, and later the Indian Well being Service, buy a certain quantity of products from Native-owned suppliers.
Regardless of the requirement, the Purchase Indian Act was dormant for almost 100 years till the Obama Administration revived it in 2013. The Indian Neighborhood Financial Enhancement Act, lengthy championed by The Nationwide Heart, additional strengthened the Purchase Indian Act when it grew to become legislation in 2020. In 2022, the Biden Administration laid out bold FY 2023 Purchase Indian Act-related procurement objectives for each the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Indian Well being Service (IHS).
The Administration introduced these objectives had been met or exceeded throughout December’s White Home Tribal Nations Summit. BIA hit its 75% Native procurement goal, whereas IHS was at 30% after it set a objective of 20%. Extra importantly, the entire contract {dollars} have been properly above preliminary targets. BIA awarded $626 million in contracts to Native or tribally owned companies; its objective was $325 million. IHS greater than doubled its $200 million contract objective when it awarded $444 million to Native or tribally owned companies.
We’re thrilled with these numbers as a result of it means Native-owned companies are performing the work on federal investments in Indian Nation. I additionally imagine it’s a transparent signal the Purchase Indian Act must be expanded to different businesses, beginning with the Division of Agriculture. I stay up for persevering with to advocate for Native-owned companies that wish to do enterprise with the federal authorities.
In fact, procurement shall be a focus on the 2024 Reservation Financial Summit. We’re simply over two months means from the beginning of the 38th annual RES, the place 1000’s of tribal and enterprise leaders, entrepreneurs, authorities officers, subject-matter specialists, artisans and extra will showcase “power in unity.” When you haven’t secured your spot at RES, you may nonetheless do it using the early fowl charge by means of January 11. Click on right here to register today and study extra about what we’ve in retailer at RES 2024.
Once more, glad New 12 months and I stay up for seeing you in 2024.
Chris James
President and CEO
The Nationwide Heart for American Indian Enterprise Growth
Osiyo, and Completely satisfied New 12 months! I hope 2024 is off to a unbelievable begin for you and your family members. The Nationwide Heart has a packed agenda for 2024, and I can’t wait to see you at a few of our occasions.
However first, I’d wish to share some nice developments that occurred on the finish of 2023. For years, strengthening and rising the Purchase Indian Act has been one in all our high priorities. When you’re not acquainted, the Purchase Indian Act is a century-old legislation that mandates the Division of Inside, and later the Indian Well being Service, buy a certain quantity of products from Native-owned suppliers.
Regardless of the requirement, the Purchase Indian Act was dormant for almost 100 years till the Obama Administration revived it in 2013. The Indian Neighborhood Financial Enhancement Act, lengthy championed by The Nationwide Heart, additional strengthened the Purchase Indian Act when it grew to become legislation in 2020. In 2022, the Biden Administration laid out bold FY 2023 Purchase Indian Act-related procurement objectives for each the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Indian Well being Service (IHS).
The Administration introduced these objectives had been met or exceeded throughout December’s White Home Tribal Nations Summit. BIA hit its 75% Native procurement goal, whereas IHS was at 30% after it set a objective of 20%. Extra importantly, the entire contract {dollars} have been properly above preliminary targets. BIA awarded $626 million in contracts to Native or tribally owned companies; its objective was $325 million. IHS greater than doubled its $200 million contract objective when it awarded $444 million to Native or tribally owned companies.
We’re thrilled with these numbers as a result of it means Native-owned companies are performing the work on federal investments in Indian Nation. I additionally imagine it’s a transparent signal the Purchase Indian Act must be expanded to different businesses, beginning with the Division of Agriculture. I stay up for persevering with to advocate for Native-owned companies that wish to do enterprise with the federal authorities.
In fact, procurement shall be a focus on the 2024 Reservation Financial Summit. We’re simply over two months means from the beginning of the 38th annual RES, the place 1000’s of tribal and enterprise leaders, entrepreneurs, authorities officers, subject-matter specialists, artisans and extra will showcase “power in unity.” When you haven’t secured your spot at RES, you may nonetheless do it using the early fowl charge by means of January 11. Click on right here to register today and study extra about what we’ve in retailer at RES 2024.
Once more, glad New 12 months and I stay up for seeing you in 2024.
Chris James
President and CEO
The Nationwide Heart for American Indian Enterprise Growth