Summary - CICD 10th Anniversary and Data Summit: Braiding the past and future of Native economies

The Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) cordially invites you to join us for a special two-day event marking our tenth anniversary and first decade of economic research and data work in Indian Country. Taking place in person at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, the event provides an exciting opportunity to connect with leaders from across Indian Country and the Federal Reserve System.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis established CICD in 2015 in recognition that thriving Native American economies are vital to overall economic prosperity. Over the past decade, we’ve seen substantial advancements in economic research and data across Indian Country that increase understanding of the distinctiveness of Native economies and their contributions to local and regional economies across the United States. As CICD observes our tenth year, we reflect on what we’ve learned from a decade of research, economic innovations taking place across Native communities, and the future of our work to advance Indian Country economic prosperity.

Space is limited. Please complete the form below by Tuesday, September 30, to register. We hope you will join us for either or both days of this important event.

On Wednesday, October 8, leaders from across Indian Country, the Federal Reserve System, and beyond will gather to commemorate CICD’s tenth anniversary and first decade of economic research and data work in Indian Country. The event provides an opportunity to connect with leaders working to advance Indian Country economic prosperity and hear thought-leader reflections on economic progress in Native communities.

The event will feature panel discussions among Indian Country experts on economic advancements and the interconnectedness of tribal economies with local, regional, and national economies. National leaders will reflect on Indian Country’s contributions to the overall economy and the role of research and data in strengthening Native economies. The event will also feature an invocation, drum song, and reception.

In honor of this milestone, CICD invited the 44 federally recognized tribes and bands in the Ninth Federal Reserve District to share their nations’ flags for display in the Bank. Event participants will have the opportunity to view these important visual representations of history, identity, and sovereignty.

Speakers will include:

Governor Michael Barr, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Melanie Benjamin (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), Vice President of Government Relations and Engagement, Blue Stone Strategy Partners 
Cory Blankenship (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), Executive Director, NAFOA 
Maranda Compton (Delaware Tribe of Indians), Founder and President, Lepwe Inc. 
Dawson Her Many Horses (Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota), Managing Director, Wells Fargo 
Chris James (Cherokee), The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
Neel Kashkari, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 
Casey Lozar (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Vice President, Director of CICD, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 
Alisha L. Murphy (Diné/Navajo), Economist, Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development
Reid Raymond (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), Community Member
Zacheriah Red Bear (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), Community Member
Amber Schulz-Oliver (Yakama/Wasco), Executive Director, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 
Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Senate (MN)
Alene Tchourumoff, Senior Vice President, Community Development and CICD, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Following the anniversary event, a special milestone-year edition of CICD’s annual data summit will take place at the Minneapolis Fed on October 9, 2025. The data summit provides an opportunity for tribal leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to learn more about emerging economic research and data innovations that can strengthen economic development in Indian Country.

The event will feature a fireside chat with Indian Country thought leaders reflecting on economic data innovations in Indian Country over the past decade and future growth opportunities. Panel discussions will explore opportunities for Native communities to leverage economic data—on their own terms—to enhance access to capital, diversify revenue, and promote community and economic well-being for the next seven generations. The event will also introduce tribes across the country to the Survey of Native Nations, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between CICD and tribal governments to provide tribal leaders with benchmark public finance data.

The data summit is designed for anyone interested in learning about economic development trends in Indian Country and practical data approaches that are advancing tribal economies.

Speakers will include:

Randall Akee (Native Hawaiian), Director of Project on Indigenous Governance and Development and Julie Johnson Kidd Professor of Indigenous Governance and Development, Harvard University
Debbie Atuk (Inupiaq, Kingikmiut), Chair, Bering Straits Native Corporation Government Services LLC
Little Crow Bellecourt (Bad River Chippewa Tribe), Community Member
Amy Besaw Medford (Brothertown Indian Nation), Research Affiliate, Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, Harvard University
Kitcki Carroll (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma), Executive Director, United South and Eastern Tribes
Chrystel Cornelius (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), President and CEO, Oweesta Corporation
Sharon Day (Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe), Community Elder
Ron Feldman, First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Leonard “Lenny” Fineday (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe), Secretary/Treasurer, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Dennis Fitzpatrick (Blackfeet Tribal Nation), CEO, Siyeh Corporation, Blackfeet Tribal Nation
Phil Gover (Northern and Southern Paiute, Pawnee, and Comanche Nations), Senior Policy Analyst, CICD, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Chairman Gerald Gray (Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Nancy Jordan, Executive Director/Capacity Developer/Success Coach, Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending
Amalea Jubara, Research Assistant, CICD, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Michou Kokodoko, Senior Policy Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Ava LaPlante (Santo Domingo Pueblo), Research Assistant, CICD, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Casey Lozar (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Vice President, Director of CICD, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 
Mary Mashunkashey (Osage, Pawnee), Tax Commissioner, Office of the Tax Commission, Muscogee Creek Nation
Casey Pearlman (Inupiaq), Executive Director, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation
Kip Ritchie (Forest County Potawatomi), Chief Executive Officer, Potawatomi Ventures
Joel Rosette (Chippewa Cree Tribe), CEO, Rocky Boy Health Center
Amber Schulz-Oliver (Yakama/Wasco), Executive Director, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 
Tralynna Sherrill Scott (Cherokee Nation), Chief Economist, Cherokee Nation Businesses
Alene Tchourumoff, Senior Vice President, Community Development and Engagement, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis