What does economic sovereignty look like when tribal nations lead? On this week’s Native Bidaské, we talk with Brian Edwards, associate publisher/editor of Tribal Business News, about the upcoming Great Lakes Tribal Economic Summit—a two-day working event where tribal leaders, enterprise executives, entrepreneurs, and federal partners roll up their sleeves on growth in Indian Country.
When & where: September 16–17, 2025, Gun Lake Casino Resort (Wayland, Mich.). The summit convenes leaders from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to share practical playbooks for building resilient, culturally grounded economies.
What’s on the agenda: federal contracting, tribal energy independence, Native finance, and sessions on nuts-and-bolts economic sovereignty — building codes, workforce development, higher education, and more. A keynote from former Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs Bryan Newland, “Don’t Wait for Permission to Lead,” will anchor the conversation in action.
Tune in to Native Bidaské for this timely conversation with Brian Edwards.
Date: Friday, September 12th, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. MT / 9:00 a.m. PT
Streaming on: Facebook, YouTube, and the Native News Online website