Let’s help our Navajo businesses
work better.
We believe that healthy economic development and growth includes the participation of all members of the business ecosystem. That’s why we are bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers to reimagine the policies and systems that support business startup and growth on the Navajo Nation.
What do Navajo entrepreneurs & Chapter leaders need?
Our stance is informed by the combined decades of years our members have spent listening to Navajo business owners and Chapter leaders as well as our own independent research. While the structural barriers facing Navajo entrepreneurs and our elected leaders are extensive, we advocate for change in three key areas.
PRO-BUSINESS TAX POLICY
The Navajo Nation Council is currently considering Legislation 112 and Legislation 111 that would increase Navajo Nation Sales Tax rate to 6-10% and also increase the fine for late sales tax payment.
Read our summary of the economic impact of these two bills on Navajo small business owners and the Navajo economy.
ACCESS TO Land to build an economy
According to research conducted by Change Labs, the Navajo Nation ranks amongst the bottom 15% of nations in the world when it relates to accessing a business site lease.
Business Opportunity
The Navajo Business Preference Law (later amended to the Navajo Business Opportunity Act - NBOA) was created to ensure Navajo government contracts for purchases of goods and services were required to give preference to Navajo-owned companies. However, NBOA lacks transparency and enforcement.
ABout us
We are not a nonprofit. We are not a for-profit. We are a group of concerned citizens calling for:
1) Access to data and educational opportunities for Navajo policy makers and others decision-makers who create the systems and environment that can constrain Navajo entrepreneurs, artisans, and vendors.
2) Opportunities to collaborate with tribal leadership on policies that enable and support small business startup and growth on the Navajo Nation.
3) More economic research, policy analysis, and advocacy on key issues affecting the Navajo business community.
4) Opportunities for Navajo entrepreneurs, artisans, and vendors to inform constructive and impactful business policies and laws on the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Entrepreneurship Coalition is a unified effort by Navajo volunteers from Native-led organizations advocating for culturally appropriate business and economic development policies and laws on the Navajo Nation.
Explore the issues
In 2022 and 2023 we hosted a public policy event, All Roads Lead to Chaco Canyon, on the Navajo Nation to discuss how the laws that stifle today’s economic development were created and to hear from entrepreneurs and elected leaders on what solutions are needed.
Attend our next event
6th Annual All Roads Lead to Chaco Canyon
Join us for our 2024 All Roads Lead to Chaco Canyon event at Twin Arrows on November 7-8, 2024! We’ll be hosting one and a half days of workshops and discussions on the Navajo economy. Use the button below for information on the agenda, speakers, sponsorship, and registration.
Coalition members
The ACES School was founded by three Native individuals who have spent their entire careers working with and for Native Nations. They came together to pursue one common goal: to educate people about the past, present, and future issues in Indian Country and teach them how to think in terms of practical solutions. ACES is more than just theories and academia; it's an institution devoted to the practice of building Native Nations.
The Dineh Chamber of Commerce advocates for and assists Navajo-owned businesses and organizations by collaborating and partnering with businesses, organizations, and government that promote economic development and diversity in commerce on the Navajo Nation creating opportunity, success and to sustain ííná (life), sih’haasin (self-sufficiency) and ke’ (family).
Change Labs is a Native-led and Native-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based on the Navajo and Hopi Nation. We foster the creation of successful Native American small businesses that provide a social benefit to tribal communities.