“Native American tribes and communities are creating formal programs that focus on their traditional foods to not only combat systemic food insecurity, but also connect people to their culture” In late July in Kansas City on a foraging trip Jojo Blackwood made a discovery of a rare mushroom that changed the way she views her […]
On Monday, August 1, Native CDFI Network News reported U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) announced the creation of the Senate Community Development Finance Caucus (CDFC), a bipartisan caucus dedicated to supporting the missions of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to scale their activities and fuel more […]
Learn how to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
Throughout the month of August there will be several webinars focusing on Working Washington Grants: Round 5. These webinars are meant to help small business and non-profit owners better understand the program and what they need for their applications should they be eligible for it. Here are the webinars you can attend: OneEastside webinar walk […]
SPOKANE, Wash. — On Thursday, June 30, Native Business Center, which is powered by Sister Sky Inc., officially launched the Washington State Native Business Directory to support and bring awareness to small businesses owned by Native Americans in Washington State. This project was funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The directory is an […]
We want to take a moment to pause here and let you know this post will be about the hardships Native peoples have faced in the boarding schools. If this type of information and news is upsetting to you, we encourage you to click out now and come back when you are ready. This story […]
On Friday, Native News Online reported that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will display legendary athlete Jim Thorpe (Sac and Fox, Potawatomi) as the sole gold medalist in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. This announcement comes 110 years to the day when Thorpe was awarded two Olympic gold medals by […]
For small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Legislature has allocated $70 million for the next round of Working Washington Grants: Round 5. In this round of Working Washington grants, available funds are set aside for specific targeted groups or sectors: 60% is identified for the arts, heritage, and science sectors, including […]
For the week of July 3rd to the 9th of 2022 there were a few exciting developments in Indian Country. The first was about Cherokee Nation citizen Dwight Birdwall, 74, who was awarded the highest military honor by President Joe Biden. Birdwall’s heroism in the January 1968 series of shock and awe attacks by North […]
Last month, Native News Online reported that President Joe Biden announced 13 new intended nominations for his administration, including Patrice Kunesh for Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), a program office within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Kunesh, a Standing Rock Lakota descendant, is an attorney and policy advocate […]
“Native American tribes and communities are creating formal programs that focus on their traditional foods to not only combat systemic food insecurity, but also connect people to their culture” In late July in Kansas City on a foraging trip Jojo Blackwood made a discovery of a rare mushroom that changed the way she views her […]
Read MoreOn Monday, August 1, Native CDFI Network News reported U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) announced the creation of the Senate Community Development Finance Caucus (CDFC), a bipartisan caucus dedicated to supporting the missions of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to scale their activities and fuel more […]
Read MoreLearn how to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
Read MoreThroughout the month of August there will be several webinars focusing on Working Washington Grants: Round 5. These webinars are meant to help small business and non-profit owners better understand the program and what they need for their applications should they be eligible for it. Here are the webinars you can attend: OneEastside webinar walk […]
Read MoreSPOKANE, Wash. — On Thursday, June 30, Native Business Center, which is powered by Sister Sky Inc., officially launched the Washington State Native Business Directory to support and bring awareness to small businesses owned by Native Americans in Washington State. This project was funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The directory is an […]
Read MoreWe want to take a moment to pause here and let you know this post will be about the hardships Native peoples have faced in the boarding schools. If this type of information and news is upsetting to you, we encourage you to click out now and come back when you are ready. This story […]
Read MoreOn Friday, Native News Online reported that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will display legendary athlete Jim Thorpe (Sac and Fox, Potawatomi) as the sole gold medalist in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. This announcement comes 110 years to the day when Thorpe was awarded two Olympic gold medals by […]
Read MoreFor small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Legislature has allocated $70 million for the next round of Working Washington Grants: Round 5. In this round of Working Washington grants, available funds are set aside for specific targeted groups or sectors: 60% is identified for the arts, heritage, and science sectors, including […]
Read MoreFor the week of July 3rd to the 9th of 2022 there were a few exciting developments in Indian Country. The first was about Cherokee Nation citizen Dwight Birdwall, 74, who was awarded the highest military honor by President Joe Biden. Birdwall’s heroism in the January 1968 series of shock and awe attacks by North […]
Read MoreLast month, Native News Online reported that President Joe Biden announced 13 new intended nominations for his administration, including Patrice Kunesh for Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), a program office within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Kunesh, a Standing Rock Lakota descendant, is an attorney and policy advocate […]
Read MoreLast month, Native News Online reported that University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) will offer students free non-credit classes in Alaska Native languages this fall. “The University of Alaska Southeast is committed to recognizing and acknowledging historical wrongs endured by Alaska Native Communities,” Carin Silkaitis, Dean of UAS’s School of Arts and Sciences, said in a […]
Read MoreOn Wednesday, Native News Online reported that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Oklahoma has jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against Indians in Indian Country. It is the first time in U.S. history that a state has concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government. In Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, the state asked the Supreme […]
Read MoreChief 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 MoreIn 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 MoreWhen 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 MoreAre 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 MoreWe 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 MoreOur 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 MoreNewest 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 MoreThe 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 MoreNative 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 MoreFunding 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 MoreNative 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 MoreCommerce 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 MoreThis 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 MoreFunding 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 […]
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