The symbol created for the Native American
Business Alliance is a hybrid icon which
symbolically links the spiritual traditions of the
past to the modern mission of the
Native American Business culture. It is forward moving,
but progressive from a steady and solid core.
The central pattern was inspired by rhythms found
in common themes presented
in several Native American cultures. It is a round
icon symbolizing Mother Earth;
within it lies a complex, and repetitive pattern which
celebrates the four directions.
Around this central icon is a series of forms which
advance in a clockwise direction,
evolving from a basic geometric form (the circle again)
to a modern, high-tech
satellite which represents a bridge between Mother
Earth and Father Sky, providing
a medium through which thoughts, images, and ideas
are communicated.
The interim forms are stylized representations of
the sun, and of Mother Earth with her womb.
The rest of the composition is an amalgamation of
forms and patterns
inspired by traditional Native American Indian clothing
and religious icons,
such as the feathers and the stylized head of the
Eagle.
The logo was designed by Lloyd Milby, Founder,
and the artwork was done by Peter Hirt.
History
of the Native American Business Alliance
(1995-2007)
The
Native American Business Alliance (NABA) is a nonprofit
organization formed in 1995 by the vision of one gentleman,
Tom "Running Bear" Smith, and three other
Native American business owners(Lee Pepion of The
Blackfoot Company, Lloyd Milby of L.W. Milby Exhibit
Services, Inc. and Ken Barnes of Upper Mohawk, Inc.).
These men knew that Native American-owned companies
could be recognized as competent businesses, capable
of competing for and winning supplier/vendor contracts
if they were given the same opportunities to compete
as their African-American, Hispanic/Latino American,
and Asian-American counterparts. Alone, the founding
members were not successful in winning large contracts
but collectively they were stronger and their voices
could be heard by company representatives in charge
of Supplier Diversity Programs. Through their vision
and hard work the Native American Business Alliance
was formed and the founders approached these representatives
to give Native American Businesses an opportunity
to compete and to do business with their respective
companies. Because of the founding members’
determination to do business with and to help other
Native American Businesses, many doors of opportunity
have been opened since the beginning days of NABA.
Today, NABA has business relationships with many Fortune
500 Companies such as: The Coca Cola Company, DaimlerChrysler
Corporation, Target Corporation, General Motors Corporation,
United Parcel Service, Inc., American Express, Ford
Motor Company, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
of North America, Walt Disney World, Delta Airlines,
IBM and many more companies who are willing to recognize
Native Americans as competent business owners. Through
our partnership with these corporations, Native American
business owners have the opportunity to compete for
contracts.
As
NABA continued to examine the needs of the Native
business owners, regional networking sessions and
training workshops were implemented to promote business
opportunities, increase business skills, and share
information about available job openings. NABA also
reaches out to Corporate America to educate and raise
awareness of the rich culture and traditions of Native
American and Indigenous People through annual special
events and activities that involve the presentation
of Native Dancers, Craft Makers, Artisans and/or Musicians
and Drummers. Overall, it is the continued need to
educate Corporate America on the culture and traditions
of Native American and Indigenous People - along with
the planning for future generations - that serves
as the guiding force in keeping the mission of the
founding members alive. We also strive to develop
and build relationships that will promote capable
Native American Business Owners who are able to compete
in Corporate America and thus meet the supply needs
of Corporate America.
To
learn about membership in the Native American Business
Alliance, please click
here.
To
see a list of all of NABA's Corporate Partners, please
click here.
To
learn about our upcoming events, please click
here.
To facilitate mutually beneficial relationships
between private and public businesses with Native American
owned companies.
We shall develop a relationship
with the business community to bring Native American
companies to the attention of companies