fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

On last week’s episode of Native Bidaské, host Levi Rickert sat down with Chris James, President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, to talk about his recent decision to run for Congress.

Rickert opened by noting James’ record of growth at the National Center since 2017, including nearly doubling revenue and expanding its client base from 200 to more than 1,000 annually. James, he said, is now aiming to bring that leadership to Washington.

James told viewers, “I grew up in Cherokee, North Carolina. My family had small businesses on the reservation. My father was a farmer, and we had a Christmas tree farm. So I grew up in that environment of rural North Carolina. And really, all those values taught me the value of hard work, the value of taking care of each other, and the value of heritage. And I really want to take those same values to Washington.”

He emphasized his frustration with partisan gridlock: “We are so polarized right now in our society. And I think I'm frustrated, just like many Americans and definitely Arizonans. When they're so polarized, nothing gets done. And that's really one of my frustrations when I look at Washington and see how little gets done, and it’s more about politics instead of actually supporting the American people.”

As a descendant of the Cherokee Nation, James said his heritage shapes his priorities. “I really believe in tribal sovereignty. I mean, I have built my whole career on protecting our communities, making sure that we have the resources that we need, that we also have economic development opportunities. For the past 15 years, I've probably helped over a billion dollars of different types of investment into our communities. … What I would take to Washington, D.C., is I have that knowledge, and I've been advocating for our communities for a very long time.”

Rickert pointed out that Arizona’s 5th District leans Republican, and asked how James planned to connect with voters across the spectrum. James replied, “I have this bipartisan mentality, and I'm respected on all sides. What people really want to see is they want people in Congress that share their values and goals, like investing in small business, upgrading broadband, supporting infrastructure, and really supporting even our first responders. … I'm going to be that person to represent everybody. I'm going to have a grassroots campaign. I'm going to be out in the community, and I'm going to talk to as many people as possible—not trying to change anyone’s view, but listen.”

James also pointed to his long record of advocacy and connections on Capitol Hill. “For the past almost 20 years, I have been advocating up on the Hill for our communities. … At the National Center, for the past eight years, probably once a quarter, I'm up in Washington, D.C., meeting with many congressional folks, talking about the importance of small business growth and government contracting. I have access. I have the ability to pick up the phone and make a call. So when I'm actually in Congress, I'll be able to network that very quickly.”

Asked why people in Arizona’s 5th District should vote for him, James concluded: “I'm running because I believe our community deserves representation who actually get things done, not just sit on the sidelines. I'm a husband. I'm a father. I lived in Gilbert for a long time, and I see how hard-working families struggle with what's going on in our country—struggle with the rising cost, struggle with health care, struggle with even putting our kids through school. … I believe in holding myself accountable, but most importantly, I believe in holding our leadership accountable. And that's something that I don't think happens enough in Washington.”

James’ appearance on Native Bidaské marks an important moment in his campaign, highlighting both his business background and his vision for bringing bipartisan, community-focused leadership to Congress.

Watch the full episode here:

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

 
 
September 29, 2025 Levi Rickert
Ernie Stevens, Jr. (1959 - 2025)
Currents
September 29, 2025 Native News Online Staff Currents 2026
Here are some of the recent articles from Native News Online you may have missed this past weekend:
Opinion
September 29, 2025 Levi Rickert Opinion 541
Ernie Stevens, Jr. (1959 - 2025)
September 29, 2025 Professor Victoria Sutton Opinion 512
Opinion. Publishing tell-all books is a common practice in Washington, D.C. where it pays to share secrets or insider information about familiar events of national notoriety. Typically there is a book contract negotiated while it is still a valuable property, and then writing and editing follow.
Sovereignty
September 26, 2025 Chickasaw Nation Media Sovereignty 1094
Three talented young ladies are set to be crowned Chickasaw royalty during the 2025-2026 Chickasaw Princess Pageant 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29. The event will be hosted at the Ataloa Theater in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center on the East Central University Campus.
September 26, 2025 Levi Rickert Sovereignty 3986
The fourth Friday in September of each year is known as Michigan Indian Day. This designation dates back to 1974 when the Michigan legislature enacted Public Act 30. In 2007, the Michigan House of Representatives said: “Michigan Indian Day is an excellent opportunity for Michigan citizens to better understand and appreciate the many contributions that people of Native American descent have made to our state.”
Education
September 25, 2025 American Indian College Fund Education 3142
The American Indian College Fund welcomes five members to its governing board of trustees for three-year terms. The three tribal college presidents named to the board include Dr. Sean Chandler of Aaniiih Nakoda College, Eva Flying of Chief Dull Knife College, and Dr. Dawn Tobacco-Two Crow-Frank of Oglala Lakota College. The two private sector trustees include Nicole Bellefuille, J.D., a vice president in the financial services industry, and Nalneesh Gaur, a partner with PwC in their Cybersecurity practice.
September 24, 2025 Native News Online Staff Education 5216
Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of scholarships to Native students in the U.S., has announced a landmark $50 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott—her second major investment in the organization. The contribution underscores Native Forward’s long-standing commitment to advancing economic mobility, self-determination, and Tribal sovereignty by supporting Native scholars nationwide.
Arts & Entertainment
September 26, 2025 Kaili Berg Arts & Entertainment 1793
Vision Maker Media (VMM) has announced $940,310 in funding for 22 Indigenous film productions, marking the largest number of awardees in the organization’s history.
September 23, 2025 Kaili Berg Arts & Entertainment 5988
The Trend Alaska Fashion Show took its final bow on Saturday, September 20, at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
Health
Environment
September 24, 2025 Josephine Woolington Environment 2279
A few years ago, as Elaine Harvey washed three gallons of freshly picked huckleberries, she noticed something startling: Worms wiggling out of the dark-purple fruits.
September 15, 2025 Levi Rickert Environment 7568
In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, former U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr pushed back against claims by the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Stronghold Apache, and a coalition of environmental groups that Oak Flat is sacred land that should not be transferred to a foreign-owned mining company.