Native Business Center

?A Pecya (Hello Everyone) and welcome! Sister Sky Inc. is thrilled to announce the launch of the Native Business Center website, Indian Country’s premier hub for all native business news!  The Native Business Center is passionate about linking native-owned small business with training, technical assistance, up-to-date small business information and resources specifically for Native American business owners.

Learn more Request Assistance

Upcoming Trainings

Up-to-date information regarding current business trainings for you to grow and thrive. Our team will help you register for free virtual small business trainings such as Sister Sky Inc.’c Native SBA Empowerment Workshops.

Jun 30

Small Business Cybersecurity Part 1: Protection

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Learn MoreRegister
See All Trainings

Funding & Grant Resources

We provide direct links to grants and funding resources for your small business. Information about small business financial guidance and support is just a click away!

Building Communities Fund

Building Communities Funds (BCF) grant is intended for non-profit, community-based organizations to cover the costs to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate nonresidential community and social service centers. This grant is funded through state-bonds and the awardees will be chosen through a competitive grant process application. Applications are accepted until Aug. 5, 2022

View Resource

Seattle Good Business Network

Do you have a business in Seattle and looking for ways to make it more environmentally sustainable? Seattle Good Business Network can help you find free tools, technical assistance and resources through partnerships and programs. It has been awarded a Seattle Public Utilities’ Waste-Free Matching Communities Grant to offer free resources.  The organization has other programs as well that can help you with your business needs.

View Resource
See All Resources

Native Business Spotlight

This fun section is dedicated to shining a light on Native entrepreneurs doing amazing things.

Copper Canoe Woman

Vina Brown is the owner and creator of Copper Canoe Woman (CCW), a small family-owned business. CCW is an Indigenous jewelry design business whose aesthetic is rooted in ancestral culture, stories, and adornment art. The essence of CCW is about showcasing authentic place-based, yet modern Indigenous designs. Their jewelry is infused with elements of Vina’s […]

Read More

Salishan Sturgeon Nose Canoes

Started by Shawn Brigman, PhD, in 2015, Salishan Sturgeon Nose Canoes is a Native-owned business business with a focus on increasing visual literacy awareness on signifiers of the unique and distinct northern Plateau canoe styles and village implementations. The canoe shapes, construction techniques, and other characteristics are created using centuries-old local patterns. Brigman’s creative practice […]

Read More

Camp Crier

In many Native American traditions, those who reported news were called Camp Criers. Camp Criers would walk, run or ride from person to person or home to home until everyone was informed.

See More

Chief Lynn Malerba is the first Native person to be selected as Treasurer of the United States

Chief Lynn Malerba, Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts), from the Mohegan Tribe has been confirmed as the first Indigenous person to be appointed as the next U.S. Treasurer. Malerba was quoted in an article by Indian Country Today saying: “I am honored and humbled by Secretary (Janet) Yellen and the Biden Administration’s commitment to ensuring that […]

Read More

Native CDFI convenes Wabanaki Nations behind ‘transformative’ economic development consortium

In a recent article from Tribal Business News, Four Directions Development Corporation is leading a new effort that aims to facilitate collaboration among the Wabanaki Nations in Maine “to better engage their collective economic engine.” Even though the Passamaquody, Prenobscot, Maliseet and Mi’kmaq tribes have worked together before regarding sovereignty and water protection, a holistic […]

Read More

BIGGEST Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make

When starting or running a business, there are a bunch of hoops to jump through and things to keep track of throughout the process. That is why you want to make sure you’re not making any legal mistakes while getting your business set up. To check if you’re doing everything right, here are some of […]

Read More

T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders program still accepting applicants for Spokane location!

Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level? Well, there is still time to apply for T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined if you want to help your company grow. T.H.R.I.V.E. (Train. Hope. Rise. Innovate. Venture. Elevate) is a free six-month intensive training program for small business entrepreneurs […]

Read More

Applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online

Learn how to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online

Read More

State Launches Small Business Flex Fund on June 30th

We are proud to be the technical assistance provider to the American Indian and Alaska Native communities for this new fund launched by Washington State Department of Commerce! The Small Business Flex Fund is a simple, low-interest & flexible loan for Washington’s smallest businesses and non-profits. It was created to meet the unique challenges of […]

Read More

Start Up Stories : Monica Simeon—Sister Sky

Our co-founder Monica Simeon was featured in Spokane Talks “Start Up Stories.” In this show, they discuss Sister Sky Inc.’s startup story, as well as explore early transitions in business startup, managing early growth, and using trade shows to advantage.

Read More

State to launch new round of Working Washington small business grants on March 29

Newest grant round focuses on brick-and-mortar businesses most directly impacted by COVID-19 public health measures The Washington State Department of Commerce opened applications for Working Washington Grants: Round 4 on March 29. Business owners can find information about the program and a link to the application portal at commercegrants.com. This is the fourth round of the […]

Read More

FIVE Helpful Tips when applying to Round 3 of the Working Washington Small Business grant!

The application for the new round of Working Washington business grants is now open. Businesses can apply for up to $20,000 to offset costs or expenses due to COVID-19. The grants are targeted primarily for small businesses with $5 million or less in annual revenue that have had to close or significantly curtail operations as […]

Read More

Sister Sky Inc. Provides Suicide Prevention Training for Indian Health Service

Native American-owned Small Business Chosen to Provide Culturally Customized Suicide Prevention Training for 17,000 IHS Employees Spokane, WA: Suicide is an urgent public health concern across the United States, but its severity for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and for AI/AN young people, is unimaginably devastating. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death […]

Read More

Washington State Department Launches Grant for Disadvantages Community Business Owners

Funding and Resources for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic SPOKANE, WA. (October 6, 2020) – Washington State’s Department of Commerce announced the launch of the Small Business Resiliency grant program! $5 million in grants will be awarded to small business owners in disadvantaged communities across Washington State. Sister Sky Inc. is the preferred contractor […]

Read More

Northwest Native Development Fund Receives $1,083,300 Award From U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund

Native Business Center congratulates the Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF). This is exciting news for Indian Country!  Good job NNDF! September 25, 2020 Coulee Dam Washington – The Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF) learned yesterday that they will become the recipient of a $1,083,300 award for the expansion of services and to increase the volume of […]

Read More

State Seeks to Address Economic Inequality by Increasing Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Help for Small Businesses Owners

Commerce partners with 20 community-based organizations statewide to provide technical assistance and other resources to underserved small businesses affected by COVID-19 September 24, 2020 OLYMPIA, WA –Small business owners now have more places to seek culturally and linguistically relevant help for dealing with COVID-19, thanks to expansion of the Small Business Resiliency Assistance program announced today by […]

Read More

Passage of Native American Business Incubators Act is an Important Step for Native Entrepreneurship

This is what Indian Country has been waiting for! Native Business Center is very ecstatic for this news we received, stay tuned for updates! Bill now headed to President’s desk for signature into law  September 23, 2020 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (The National Center) cheered House passage of S. 294, the ‘Native […]

Read More

Washington State Small Business Grant Program

Funding and Resources for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID Pandemic SPOKANE, WA. (September 11th, 2020) – The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched a second round of available funds in your county for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 through the Working Washington Small Business emergency grant program. Sister Sky Inc. has been contracted by […]

Read More