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Who We Are
About
The Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance (MNIBA) was established in 2008 as a response to the pressing need for resources and support specifically tailored for Indigenous entrepreneurs and artists.
The Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance (MNIBA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers, and culture bearers. We work to increase economic opportunity and prosperity for Indigenous people and Tribal Nations—today and for generations to come.
At MNIBA, we believe that economic development is about freedom—the freedom for American Indian and Alaska Native Nations to shape their communities and futures on their own terms. It’s about making self-determination not just a legal right, but a practical reality.
Our Mission
Empower Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples in Minnesota to achieve economic sovereignty, preserve their cultural ways of being, and create resilient, sustainable communities by providing strategic support, capacity building, and resources that foster self-determination, equity, and enduring prosperity.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Tribal Nations flourish as sovereign entities—exercising full control over their resources, economies, and traditions.
A future where Indigenous communities thrive in vibrant, resilient ways that honor their cultural identities and safeguard their natural environments.
Our Purpose
MNIBA’s purpose is to restore economic freedom to Indigenous peoples. We do this by providing strategic support, resources, and capacity building that enable Tribal Nations to chart their own economic futures. We are committed to cultivating the next generation of Indigenous leaders—those equipped to guide their communities into a new era of abundance, rooted in tradition and driven by sovereignty.
What We Believe
MNIBA believes that healthy and successful Tribal Nations are essential to a prosperous American economy. But economic growth only matters if it is shared equitably. Our goal is to help build tribally driven, diversified economies that uplift entire communities—economies that strengthen cultural identity, support self-sufficiency, and protect what matters most: our people, our land, and our ways of being.
When Tribal Nations are empowered to govern their own resources within a supportive framework of self-determination, they are far more likely to achieve sustained, meaningful economic development.
Our Guiding Principles
Sovereignty. Equity. Preservation. Empowerment
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Sovereignty
We uphold the inherent right of Tribal Nations to determine their own economic futures and govern their resources. -
Equity
We work to ensure that all Indigenous peoples have full and fair access to economic opportunities and prosperity. -
Heritage Preservation
Our commitment lies in strengthening and protecting tribal cultures, languages, traditions, and the stewardship of the land. -
Self-Determination
We foster the tools and capacity Tribal Nations need to lead their economies and governance structures. -
Sustainability
We promote long-term economic strategies that protect both natural and cultural resources for future generations. -
Community Empowerment
We create pathways for individuals to thrive and for tribal communities to grow stronger together.
Why It Matters
Economic development in Indigenous communities isn't just about business—it's about restoring balance, revitalizing culture, and reclaiming power. At MNIBA, we honor the unique strengths of Tribal Nations and support them in building futures where Indigenous people are not just included in the economy but are leading it.