“The federal-dependency model is terminally ill, and no amount of political optimism will
resurrect it. Tribes can either design their economic future or have it designed for them.”
— Joe Nayquonabe, Chief Strategy Officer, Blue Stone Strategy Partners

Carpe Diem

“Seize the Day” has never been more relevant for Tribes. While the federal government has long failed to provide adequate funding to meet tribal needs—a reality we all recognize—waiting for that to change is not a viable strategy. The alternative? Design your own path toward tribal self-sufficiency. Yes, it’s a big undertaking, but the time has never been better. Out of chaos comes opportunity. Today, there are more accessible and innovative options for securing capital—some of which may ultimately cost your Tribe little to nothing. But it won’t happen without effort. Success takes hard work, transparency, and solid organizational structure.

Even Grandma Had a Plan for Sunday Supper

One of the most critical first steps is also one too often skipped: business planning. A strong business plan is essential for securing capital. Whether you’re pursuing casino expansion, hydroponic farming, cannabis operations, or forestry, you need a clear, detailed roadmap. Think about Sunday supper: while Grandma and the Aunties made it look effortless, we know there was more to it than love. There was planning, recipes, coordination, and budgeting. Similarly, no lender will take your project seriously without a professional plan. Even if you know exactly what you want to do, you won’t get far without documentation. No plan, no funding—no supper.

“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.”
— Confucius

Consider a Potluck Dinner

You don’t have to carry the entire load alone. Just like the Aunties brought their specialties to Sunday supper, you can—and should—draw from the collective expertise of your community. Tap into the wealth of academic knowledge among your youth and young adults. Call upon leadership professionals, skilled community members and trusted advisors. Build a team that fills in the knowledge gaps. This is not just smart—it’s strategic. Tribal resilience has always been a strength. Now’s the time to channel that legacy into action.

Explore a Variety of Funding Sources

Funding opportunities to consider may include the following:

• Traditional Commercial Loans
Head to the bank—but know the challenges. These loans often come with the demand that Tribes waive aspects of sovereignty, which must be approached with caution.

• New Market Tax Credits
A powerful, though complex, tool. With the right advisors, Tribes have used this funding model for everything from health clinics, retail, hospitality ventures and housing projects. Look into working with a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) for guidance.

•501(l) Leases
These allow you to charge rent to federal agencies operating programs in your facilities. If you’re running 638 programs directly, this applies too. Act quickly—the application queue is long.

• Grants
These are increasingly competitive and restrictive. While you shouldn’t turn away a good grant, aim to reduce your reliance on them over time. A lower percentage of grant funding contributes to true financial independence.

• BIA and IHS Funding
Historically foundational, but far from reliable today. Consider these funds supplemental, not central.

• Tribal Contributions
Tribes will always have a duty to support their own. But external funding should be the first line of support. Lenders want to see that you have reserves, but we know: it takes money to make money.

Start Small, Scale Smart

Grandma didn’t start with a banquet. Maybe it was just frybread tacos and ice cream in the early days. Your Tribe doesn’t need to start with elk, venison, salmon, blue corn mush, pozole, succotash, and berries.

Choose a manageable project. Don’t overwhelm your resources—or your people. Every opportunity isn’t right for every Tribe. Just because Grandma loves elk doesn’t mean Auntie can’t bring salmon. Be intentional with your choices and thoughtful about your bandwidth.

Communicate the “Why”

Now more than ever, it’s critical to involve your community in this journey. Transparency leads to trust. When your people understand the “why” and the “how,” support will follow. Lenders notice this too—they look for strong leadership, community alignment, sound governance, and competent staff. Invest in your people. Often, they are both the community and the solution.

Take the Next Step

Do your research. Explore the full menu of funding options and choose what aligns with your Tribe’s goals and values. There has never been a more creative or opportune time to build your own economic future.

Carpe Diem. Enjoy Sunday Supper.

This article is the first in a series. In the future we will take a deeper dive into specific funding mechanisms including new market tax incentives and 105(l) leases. Be sure to continue to follow along