Wisconsin (October 25, 2023) — The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, the national Indigenous-led nonprofit creating opportunities for Indigenous communities in cannabis and hemp, welcomes five tribal government members and its first Board of Directors, announced today. ICIA’s growth in its first year showcases the momentous opportunity that cannabis policy reform presents Indigenous communities across the United States.
The following Indigenous Nations and Tribal Governments have officially partnered with the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association:
- Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Ho-Chunk Nation
- St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Founded in 2022, the ICIA exists to create opportunities and equity in the cannabis and hemp industries for Indigenous people and tribal nations. By empowering communities through policy, programming and outreach initiatives, the ICIA brings together Tribal leaders, elected and government officials, business, healthcare, veterans groups, and advocacy organizations to to uplift cannabis economic development.
ICIA also announces today its inaugural Board of Directors:
- Founder and CEO – Rob Pero (Ojibwe Nation/Bad River), founder of Wisconsin’s only independent hemp company Canndigenous and marketing, consultancy, and media agency Perodigm
- Executive Director Mary Jane Oatman (Nez Perce), founder of Indigenous Cannabis Coalition and THC Magazine
- Secretary – Colin Price (Ho-Chunk Nation), communications and public relations for B-Team Strategy and Heena Development
- Treasurer – Fern Orie (Oneida Nation), founder of The Matriarch Group
- Board Member – Marni King (Menominee Oneida Nation), HUB Insurance
The ICIA’s Board of Directors will use their combined experience in the hemp and cannabis industries to grow the education, technical resources, and economic opportunities available for Indigenous entrepreneurs and tribal nations across the United States, while influencing and educating the next generation and working to destigmatize cannabis.
“Our Board and our members have a vested interest in moving the needle on cannabis policy reform to benefit our people as a whole,” says Pero. “Our first tribal government members are taking the first step to support the mission of ICIA. By partnering with ICIA, these Nations are spearheading the cannabis movement in Indian Country and exploring cannabis and hemp in a good way that will have lasting impacts on our communities.”
Upcoming National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit
The ICIA’s second annual National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit will take place Nov. 1-3 in Washington D.C., to uplight Indigenous voices on Capitol Hill and to provide solutions to the most pressing cannabis-related challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities.
The Washington, D.C.-based policy summit highlights the importance of Tribal hemp and cannabis advocacy and is a platform to discuss the complexities of cannabis legalization with an emphasis on defending the sovereign right of Indigenous communities to build sustainable growth in the cannabis and hemp industries.
Registration open to the public at indigenouscannabissummit.com.