{"id":5032,"date":"2020-11-23T13:44:21","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T18:44:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=5032"},"modified":"2020-11-23T13:44:21","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T18:44:21","slug":"chris-james-and-derrick-watchman-economic-development-in-indian-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2020\/11\/23\/chris-james-and-derrick-watchman-economic-development-in-indian-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris James and Derrick Watchman: Economic development in Indian Country"},"content":{"rendered":"
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National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development: Reservation Economic Summit 2021 – March 15-17, 2021<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n
A Very Special Native American Heritage Month <\/div>\r\n
Monday, November 23, 2020<\/div>\r\n
By Chris James and Derrick Watchman<\/div>\r\n
National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development<\/div>\r\n
ncaied.org<\/a><\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nEvery November, we celebrate \u201cNative American Heritage Month.\u201d While organizations such as the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development are focused on honoring and uplifting Native communities year round, the month is a terrific opportunity to reflect on the contributions that American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have made to our country and economic success. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nThis year, Native American Heritage Month occurs at a particularly exciting time. We saw record number voter turnout across the country this year and in several states, Native voting turnout was through the roof. In some cases, the Native vote proved decisive in national and local elections. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nAdditionally, our community will see its ranks grow when the 117th Congress convenes in January. The number of members of Congress with indigenous heritage increased from four to six, as a result of the elections of Kai Kahele in Hawaii and Yvette Herrell in New Mexico. Rep.-elect Kahele will be only the second Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress. These members are evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, men and women, and are shining examples of and represent the rich diversity of our community. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe leadership of those elected to office this year will be sorely needed in Washington. Native communities have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic<\/a>, stretching already thin resources and capacity beyond their limits. This is certainly true for Native and tribally owned businesses. \r\n

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<\/P>\r\nEarlier this year, the National Center teamed with the Center for Indian Country Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis to survey the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a> on Native or tribally owned businesses. Over 400 businesses responded to the survey, providing insight into the headwinds that the entrepreneurs in our community are facing. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe results were alarming. For example: \r\n

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\r\n\u00b7 68% of respondents reported at least a 20% revenue loss; 16% experienced a 100% loss in revenue.

<\/P>\r\n\u00b7 41% of respondents have furloughed or laid off employees as a result of the pandemic.

<\/p> \r\n\u00b7 36% of businesses surveyed applied for a loan through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with 22% (of all survey respondents) receiving a PPP loan.

<\/P>\r\n\u00b7 Nearly half (48%) of respondents believe their businesses are more than six months away from returning to normal relative to one year ago, with 27% predicting business will never return to normal. \r\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe survey concluded in July. With the pandemic still raging nearly four months later, it is very likely the situation has only grown worse for Native-owned businesses. The reality on the ground in Indian Country makes it clear that Congress must do more to aid the small businesses and people hurt the most by COVID-19-related economic losses, not to mention the ongoing public health crisis. Doing nothing will mean what is now a challenge will soon become a full-blown catastrophe. \r\n

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