Native Excellence in Green Business
“The relationship between Native nations and their environment is sacred. It is the foundation of their cultures and worldview.”
The environment and the how humans interact with it shapes many aspects of Native cultures, including Native business practices.
As Vision Maker Media wraps up our commUNITY: Environment is Sacred event this month, we would like to spotlight some Native businesses, large and small, that have integrated environmental protection, sustainability, and helping others in their business practices.
Our short list below includes larger businesses implementing large-scale active change like creating clean energy and offering environmental conservation education, as well as smaller entrepreneurs focused on sustainability and utilizing unique local ingredients in their products.
NAVAJO POWER
Navajo Power was founded to upgrade the Navajo Nation from coal power to clean, renewable solar power using panels and storage projects on tribal land. They are currently located in the Southwest, but plan to expand their projects to tribes beyond their current region.
The company uses a minimum of 80% of their profits to fund projects to bring clean energy and resources to Native communities.
The Indigenous Environmental Network
The Indigenous Environmental Network began in 1990 when a national gathering of tribal youth and Indigenous leadership discussed severe environmental impacts on their lands, waters, communities and villages. The group continued meeting annually and grew rapidly into the international organization it is today.
This group addresses both environmental and economic justice issues. Their recent work includes supporting and strengthening Indigenous communities and tribal governments, developing mechanisms to protect sacred sites, protecting land, water, air, other natural resources, and creating action plans to better support the health of Indigenous people and all living things in communities.
Indigeneity - Bioneers
Indigeneity is a Native-led program within Bioneers created with the goal to reconnect people with place, promoting Traditional Ecological Knowledge and cultural wisdom of First Peoples. The organization provided a space for all peoples to examine the history of colonization and better understand and respect Indigenous intellectual property and knowledge of Indigenous peoples.
The group continues to work toward solutions for the earth’s most pressing environmental and social issues, including the leadership and rights of First Peoples. Utilizing events, media, educational curricula, and ambitious initiatives they continue to amplify Indigenous voices and build allyship through accessible tools for change.
SEQUOIA SOAPS
Sequoia Soaps is a beauty brand specializing in soaps, skincare, and candles inspired by Native legends and sustainably sourced ingredients. Michaelee Lazore (Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk)) created the company in 2002 to provide a local, Indigenous-owned source for the Sweetgrass, Cedar, and Sage scents she loved, but the commercial market lacked.
The business is still proudly 100% owned and operated by Indigenous women and everything from product formulation to shipping takes place locally at their studio in Nevada.
SAKARI FARMS & SAKARI BOTANICALS
Sakari Farms grows Native American tribal foods, offers free seed and agricultural education to the general public, and more from Tumalo, Oregon. The farm includes two unique seed banks and is an active participant in tribal-based Native seed production research. The owner and Principle Ecologist and Indigenous Agriculturalist is Upingakraq (time when the ice breaks) Spring Alaska Schreiner, an enrolled member and shareholder of the Chugach Alaska Native Corporation and Valdez Native Tribe.
Sakari Botanicals is a culinary and healing tribal business based out of Sakari Farms. The shop offers body care products, bulk plants, and unique edible items like pinõn pine smoked salt, poblano and paprika powders, and sweetgrass tea.
- About: Indigenous Environmental Network. (2021, February 07). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.ienearth.org/about/
- Indigeneity Program Overview. (2021, April 07). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://bioneers.org/indigeneity-program-overview/
- Indigeneity. (2021, April 15). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://bioneers.org/indigeneity-program/
- Meet Your Farmer. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://sakaribotanicals.com/meet-your-farmer/
- Navajo Power – About. (2021). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://navajopower.com/about/
- Navajo Power – Principles. (2021). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://navajopower.com/principles/
- Sakari Botanicals. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://sakaribotanicals.com/
- Sequoia Soaps. (n.d.). Meet the Maker. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://sequoiasoaps.com/pages/meet-the-maker
- Staff, I. (2016, January 28). 13 quotes that remind us to protect Mother Earth. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/13-quotes-that-remind-us-to-protect-mother-earth
