New and revised directories make Native holiday shopping easier
By Lee Egerstrom Seasonal gift shopping has become easier for Native Americans wanting authentic Native products this holiday season and to learn more about the Native artists and shopkeepers. New and reformulated business directories have hit the market promoting literally hundreds of Minnesota-based Native artisans and other providers of personal and business services. Anchoring these […]
New rules for Buy Indian Act take effect May 9
By Lee Egerstom The U.S. Interior Department published final rules in April for its Buy Indian Act regulations, bringing closer to an end a process underway for about 20 years aimed at boosting business for tribal and Native-owned businesses. The rules go into effect on May 9. They are intended to promote economic opportunities in […]
Covid pandemic gives mixed business results
By Lee Egerstrom A year after the death of George Floyd caused riots in Minneapolis and after the global COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses across the nation, two Native-owned construction related businesses in Minnesota show how economic turmoil can produce greatly mixed results. For Raven Construction Inc., a Minneapolis-based design-build construction company, the past year produced […]
Bald Eagle Erectors keeps Native traditions alive
By Lee Egerstrom Whether from the plains or from the lakes and woods, Native Americans have used their skills to build some of the most iconic structures locally and all across America. Take U.S. Bank Stadium, or the Vikings Stadium as many call it. Or Target Field, where the Minnesota Twins play. Or the new […]
Native Food Perspectives: A different kind of ‘soul food’
By Lee Egerstrom Back a few years, when Christina Valtierra was cooking meals at the Little Earth neighborhood in Minneapolis, some residents would see her in the kitchen and go, “Oh, no. Healthy food again.” As time went on these same reluctant consumers would see her, break into a smile, and comment on how glad […]
Native Concrete and Masonry overcomes challenges and bad timing
By Lee Egerstrom It’s hard to imagine being fast on your feet when dealing with concrete and masonry materials, but it got Charles (Charley) Minotte and his Native Concrete & Masonry Inc. through the Great Recession and moving forward during the recovery that followed. Few industries are as impacted by economic trends as construction – […]