WYANDOTTE, Okla (October 7, 2026) – The Tribal Leadership Council (TLC) has been awarded a $90,000 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) from USDA Rural Development to operate Building Tribal Business Leaders, a 12-month business development and leadership program for American Indian and Alaska Native small and emerging business owners in rural Oklahoma.
The program will be based in Wyandotte, Ottawa County. Live online seats will be reserved for Native-owned businesses in other rural Oklahoma communities. Ottawa County has nine federally recognized Tribes, and many Native business owners there work within a layered environment of Tribal licensing, Tribal-state compacts, procurement preferences, and federal contracting pathways. Standard small-business courses rarely address these issues.
“Native business owners here are running companies inside nine sovereign jurisdictions, and they deserve training built for that reality,” said Justin Barrett, President of the Tribal Leadership Council. “This award allows us to put business development, technology, and federal Indian law side-by-side, taught by practitioners who have worked in Tribal economies for decades. Our goal is for every participant to leave with a financing-ready business plan and the confidence to grow in their own community.”
Over the course of the project period, the program will:
- Serve at least 40 Oklahoma businesses across two cohorts
- Offer instruction in four areas: business development, entrepreneurship, applied federal Indian law in commerce, and business technology
- Provide one-to-one coaching and introductions to lenders
- Help graduates complete financing-ready business plans
- Create or support 20 jobs
The professional instructor team includes Dr. Eric Trevan, Dr. Crystal Miller, William Dean Lowe, MBA, and Natori Naylor, with Barrett serving as Project Director. The program is scheduled to launch within 30 days of the award, with enrollment open to Oklahoma-based Native-owned businesses.
Gratitude to Tribal Grant Writing
TLC extends its sincere thanks to Tribal Grant Writing and its Founder and CEO, Jeremy Zahn, for developing the successful grant application. Tribal Grant Writing will also provide ongoing evaluation, technical assistance, implementation support, and data tracking at no cost throughout the project. This support will help TLC measure progress, strengthen program delivery, and meet the needs of Native business owners in rural Oklahoma.
“This award would not have been possible without Tribal Grant Writing,” Barrett said. “Jeremy and his team gave us an exceptionally strong application, and their continued commitment to the project’s evaluation will help us keep improving it. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and partnership.”
How to Participate
Native-owned small and emerging businesses in Oklahoma interested in the program can contact TLC at events@triballeadershipcouncil.com for enrollment details.
About the Tribal Leadership Council
The Tribal Leadership Council (TLC) is a national organization committed to advancing the sovereignty, leadership, and long-term sustainability of Tribal nations across the United States. Founded with a mission to build capacity and strengthen Tribal governance, TLC provides dynamic programs, professional development opportunities, and practical tools that empower Tribal leaders, administrators, and policymakers to create lasting, positive change within their communities.
TLC serves as a hub for leadership training, strategic planning, and intergovernmental collaboration, offering a variety of in-person and virtual events throughout the year – including its signature Annual Tribal Leadership Conference and a series of hands-on regional trainings and workshops. These gatherings provide Tribal officials and staff with access to industry experts, peer-to-peer networking, and proven strategies for addressing today’s most pressing challenges in areas such as economic development, governance, public health, infrastructure, and community engagement.
To learn more about TLC’s programs, resources, and upcoming events, visit: www.TribalLeadershipCouncil.com