Resource Guide for Native Women Entrepreneurs in the United States

Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC)

February 2021

In July 2020, ONAC distributed a survey to Native women entrepreneurs. As a follow-up to that survey and the summary data report ONAC published in November 2020, ONAC has generated a resource guide for Native women entrepreneurs in the U.S. (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). 

Resources Needed

In their online ONAC survey responses, Native women entrepreneurs shared their challenges and desire for more resources in three key areas including: 1) Business Education 2) Financial Services and Products, and 3) Mentorship.

Business Education

Native businesswomen are interested in online and in-person training workshops, one-on-one entrepreneurship technical assistance, and entrepreneurship-related degree programs.  

Financial Services and Products

Native businesswomen expressed a need for increased access to capital for small business start-up and expansion.

Mentorship

Business mentorship is one more request from Native businesswomen. Mentoring support could come from participation in Native chambers of commerce events, coalition conferences, and other Native-led mentoring networks. 

Note About Possible Missing Resources

This document includes an initial compilation of resources that are available for Native women entrepreneurs across the country. These resource lists are not exhaustive. The descriptions of the resources are attributed to the entities providing information about their work. While ONAC staff tried to conduct a thorough search, given the number of federal and state recognized tribes, Native nonprofits, funding entities, associations, federal resources, etc., we may have inadvertently missed resources for this guide. To recommend additional resources, contact Christy Finsel, ONAC Executive Director, at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org.