Business View Magazine - January 2024

NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES ARE MAKING A BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT IN TULSA Source- www.americancityandcounty.com, Michelle M. Havich, First Published 22, Jan, 2024 NativeAmerican tribes inOklahoma have pouredmore than $15.6 billion into the state, while generating billions more from companies that support the tribes’ business operations, according to the most recent Oklahoma Native Impact report (fiscal year 2019). The report illustrates how Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribes have made an unprecedented impact on the Sooner State’s economy through a diverse portfolio of businesses including gaming and hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, retail and professional services, among others. According to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Secretary of the Nation Zechariah Harjo, “The unique thing about Oklahoma is that the tribes have found themselves, and have created access to, capital that other tribes throughout the country simply don’t have access to. We’re able to have partnerships with our non-tribal counterparts in ways that just don’t happen elsewhere.” These partnerships are highlighted in the Tulsa area, with projects from the Osage, Muscogee and Cherokee Nations benefiting the lives of both tribal and non-tribal citizens. WORKING TOGETHER Harjo said the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has boosted O p e n i n g L i n e s 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 01