Moving Forward and Looking Ahead. (written by:  Jackie Gant - NABA Executive Director, Oneida Nation of the Thames)

skeoli, NABA Business Conference Participants:

On behalf of the Native American Business Alliance, its Board of Directors and Staff Members, we appreciate your support of NABA throughout this past decade and, as we prepare to move forward into our next decade of growth, development and building of business relationships, we look forward to your continued support of the organization.

As I look back on my first year with the organization, it has been filled with many challenges and much excitement as I get to know the Board of Directors, Corporate Representatives, Tribal Leaders and General Members. It has been a time of reflection for many involved with the organization and it has been a time of rejuvenation, togetherness and forging ahead in the mission of NABA “to facilitate mutually beneficial relationships between private and public businesses with Native American Owned Companies; to educate the communities on Native American culture, paving the way for future generations”.

Today, we celebrate the vision and leadership of four Native Business Owners (Tom “Runningbear” Smith, Lee Pepion, Lloyd Milby and Ken Barnes) and we celebrate you, the NABA Membership and Corporate Representatives, who reach out to the Native American Business Owner to do business with your respective companies and welcome the knowledge, experience, and cultural differences that we share with you throughout the process. Enjoy the conference and all that it has to offer you and we look to see you next year (2006) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

n^kiwah