CN awards outstanding Indian-owned businesses
By CN Communications
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – In recognition of outstanding achievements among Native American-owned businesses, the Cherokee Nation recently held a Tribal Employment Rights Office awards ceremony at the Cherokee Casino Resort in Catoosa.
The tribe’s TERO maintains a listing of Indian-owned businesses used by the CN and its entities when letting contracts out for bid. TERO-certified firms receive Indian preference in the bid process.
During the ceremony, the CN recognized eight outstanding TERO-certified businesses with awards to honor their excellence:
- Lori Smiley of NDN Art and Frame in Tahlequah was presented the Indian Business Community Leadership Award for her involvement in a host of community activities and organizations.
- The Indian Business Customer Service Award went to AIA/RC Sales, a company owned by Bob Smith that operates out of Miami, Okla.
- Meridian Associates in Tahlequah received the Indian Consultant Business of the Year Award for the service it provides to community service organizations.
- Steven Springwater of Springwater Fence Company received the Indian Construction Business of the Year Award. The Park Hill, Okla., company currently employs a 100 percent Cherokee staff.
- The Indian Retail Business of Year went to Harts Sports Center, a screen-printing and trophy retail sales business in Tahlequah.
- The Tulsa-based EquaCor Plastics and Packaging, owned by Kelee Fourkiller-Wright, was named Indian Woman Owned Business of the Year.
- The Small Certified Indian Business of the Year Award went to Southwest Litho Inc., a family owned and operated print company in Tulsa.
- GSE Construction, owned by Don Stinson, was awarded the Large Certified Indian Business of the Year Award. The business employs an 80 percent Native American staff.
“I commend our tribal operations and our council for driving us to ensure that we create jobs so that we can become self-reliant,” Principal Chief Chad Smith said. “By creating jobs, I don’t just mean with the tribe, but also by stimulating our entrepreneurs to create vibrant communities and a strong economy through small business development.”
Dist. 7 Tribal Councilor Cara Cowan Watts said she hopes the award ceremony continues to grow in future years and that it demonstrates the council’s dedication to Indian-owned businesses.
In 1984, the Tribal Council approved a resolution and ordinance that enabled the tribe to exercise its inherent sovereign powers by imposing Indian preference on employers working on or near the CN jurisdictional boundaries.
“On behalf of the Tribal Council, I want to say that we are extremely proud to help expand procurement opportunities for small businesses, especially minority-owned businesses,” Tribal Council Speaker Meredith Frailey said. “We believe that TERO legislation is one of the most important vehicles for small business participation in our contracting environment. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities.”