- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
This week’s Tribal Business News round-up examines how the record year for tribal gaming wasn’t felt evenly throughout Indian Country, as well as new legislation to improve mortgage lending to Native Americans, and details on a handful of tribal economic development ventures and new acquisitions.
Indian gaming recovery remains uneven as revenues hit record $39B
According to the National Indian Gaming Commission, tribal casino revenue grew 40 percent to a record $39 billion during the 2021 fiscal year. But the recovery seems to be a tale of haves and have-nots, as some tribes haven’t yet fully recovered from the pandemic.
Tribal casino operators report that government stimulus checks and the limited availability of entertainment options brought people out to their properties in the 2021 fiscal year, which set a new record for overall revenues from Indian gaming.
Want more Tribal Business News? Get the free weekly newsletter today.
Tribal casino operators are cautiously optimistic for continued recovery this year, although many are struggling with higher costs and the lack of availability of labor, as well as new challenges, such as consumers moving from casinos to online gaming.
Native groups spur action on mortgage ‘re-lending’ in Indian Country
The federal government seeks to outsource some of its re-lending programs to Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which could allow them to bolster volumes for Native-focused programs that are technically active, but rarely used.
In response to dismal uptake in a handful of programs intended to boost mortgage lending in Indian Country, Congress is proposing bills that would put more control over the initiatives in the hands of Native CDFIs.
For example, new federal legislation would make permanent the provisions of a successful pilot program in South Dakota that has increased mortgage lending for Native homeowners.
Tribally owned Command Holdings bets big on federal contracting, scoops up $100M firm
Mashantucket Pequot Nation-owned Command Holdings aims to make a bigger play for federal dollars through its acquisition of government contractor WWC Global.
Woman-owned WWC Global, a federal contractor, generates about $100 million in revenue and employs 350 people.
With its 8(a) status expiring, WWC Global prioritized finding the right fit when it sought out a partner that could help continue the federal contractor’s growth trajectory, ultimately finding common ground with tribally owned Command Holdings. The deal is Command Holdings’ third acquisition in just over a year.
Potawatomi Business Development Corp. bolsters data center capabilities with new acquisition
Data Holdings LLC, a data center venture of the tribally owned Potawatomi Business Development Corporation, has expanded its capabilities and team with the acquisition of a long-time data center partner.
Milwaukee-based Data Holdings is getting into the red-hot M&A market in the data center industry with a deal for Milwaukee-based Stack41 that adds new service capabilities and helps the company better meet customer needs.
Cherokee Nation offers drought-stricken ranchers $1M in relief
A new $1 million relief program aims to help Cherokee ranchers mitigate the effects of the current drought plaguing much of Oklahoma and help them deal with sky-rocketing prices for fuel and grain that have left them few options to feed their animals. The Relief for Cherokee Ranchers program will provide $500 each for up to 2,000 ranchers.
Ute Hemp serves up medicine by celebrating culture, preserving natural ingredients
The Utah-based Ute Indian Tribe has set out to build a hemp enterprise that very specifically reflects the tribe’s culture and values. Rather than take a generic “Native-themed” approach to Ute Hemp LLC, the tribe is being intentional about what makes the products uniquely Ute.
To that end, Ute Hemp is partnering with Native Workshop and Luminary Medicines Co. to develop cannabis oil products using plants and ingredients native to the Ute territory.
Tribal Business News Briefs
Lastly, this week’s round-up of business news briefs includes several items from Cherokee Nation, including a $2 million investment in a new mobile MRI at the tribe’s W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, Okla. and a massive new government contract opportunity for Cherokee Federal. Tribal Business News also briefs a couple of new tribal small business programs in Alaska and Washington state, as well as a new NFL partnership for Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort and a donation to a Native American scholarship program.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Deb Haaland Meets with Taos Acequia Leaders to Discuss Water Rights and Agricultural Preservation
Seattle Seahawks Tackle Preservation Projects at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center for Annual Day of Service
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
