The Oregon Native American Chamber is now the

Northwest Native Chamber

Northwest Native Chamber is transforming our economies from exploitative to sustainable and regenerative — where all Native people and communities have the opportunity and freedom to thrive.
By advancing educational economic opportunities for Natives in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, NWNC works diligently to support Native communities to build lasting wealth.

Guiding Principals and Values

Guiding Principles & Values

Select one of our values in our Pillar Wheel to learn more about the principles of NWNC

Guiding Principals and Values
Envision Engage Flourish Sustain Thrive Regenerate

Envision

Envision

Are you starting the visioning process? Do you have an idea and are exploring the options? Do you need assistance getting formalized or started? This is where you will find support business planning, seeking funding/investment, etc. Learn how to incorporate Native values and personal values and goals into your business within your community.

Envision

Are you starting the visioning process? Do you have an idea and are exploring the options? Do you need assistance getting formalized or started? This is where you will find support business planning, seeking funding/investment, etc. Learn how to incorporate Native values and personal values and goals into your business within your community.

Engage

Engage

Are you in operation and working on goal setting? Is your business starting to formalize or are you testing an idea? Have you begun to set or meet personal income goals? Start here to make plans and meet your goals, such as finalizing a business plan, acquiring appropriate registrations with State, City, and Tribal offices. Begin planning for fundraising with capital readiness.

Engage

Are you in operation and working on goal setting? Is your business starting to formalize or are you testing an idea? Have you begun to set or meet personal income goals? Start here to make plans and meet your goals, such as finalizing a business plan, acquiring appropriate registrations with State, City, and Tribal offices. Begin planning for fundraising with capital readiness.

Flourish

Flourish

Need help continuing to work out the details of operations? Need support Developing routines and systems in accounting , taxes, and payroll? Here you will find resources to feel more confident in solidly meeting income and cash flow goals and understanding markets and products.

Flourish

Need help continuing to work out the details of operations? Need support Developing routines and systems in accounting , taxes, and payroll? Here you will find resources to feel more confident in solidly meeting income and cash flow goals and understanding markets and products.

Sustain

Sustain

Do you feel solid in all of your operations systems? Is your business running well and you have capacity to work on the business rather than in it? Are you solidly meeting income and cash flow goals? Find resources here to support your business in operating successfully while meeting personal goals and contributing to your community, meeting their needs, and becoming a pilar within in the local economy. Work towards becoming a staple business through contracting (if applicable) and becoming a leader in business and the community.

Sustain

Do you feel solid in all of your operations systems? Is your business running well and you have capacity to work on the business rather than in it? Are you solidly meeting income and cash flow goals? Find resources here to support your business in operating successfully while meeting personal goals and contributing to your community, meeting their needs, and becoming a pilar within in the local economy. Work towards becoming a staple business through contracting (if applicable) and becoming a leader in business and the community.

Thrive

Thrive

Have you been operating successfully for 5 plus years? Are you an expert or feel solid in all of your business operations? Does your business serve in a strong role in community wealth building and reciprocity (partnerships, sponsorships, giving back, donations)? Find resources here for continuing to meet your income and cash flow goals, employment goals, and find opportunities for collaboration with partners and networks.

Thrive

Have you been operating successfully for 5 plus years? Are you an expert or feel solid in all of your business operations? Does your business serve in a strong role in community wealth building and reciprocity (partnerships, sponsorships, giving back, donations)? Find resources here for continuing to meet your income and cash flow goals, employment goals, and find opportunities for collaboration with partners and networks.

Regenerate

Regenerate

Are you ready to move on to another phase of your life or another business venture? Are you intersted in setting goals for exiting the business while supporting your investments? Here you can find resources how to respectfully and sustainably leave (sell, pass on, or dissolve) a business while continuing to meet the needs of the community and honor your values.

Regenerate

Are you ready to move on to another phase of your life or another business venture? Are you intersted in setting goals for exiting the business while supporting your investments? Here you can find resources how to respectfully and sustainably leave (sell, pass on, or dissolve) a business while continuing to meet the needs of the community and honor your values.

Explore Our Program Areas

We are committed to the Native Community, our members, and partners:

Education and Growth

  • Student Academic Achievement Award (SA3) Program
  • Native Enterprise Program
  • StartUp Platform
  • Technical Assistance Program

Relationship Building

  • Building Relationships and Networking Opportunity Events
  • Multi-Chamber Gatherings
  • The Annual Gathering
  • Networking Luncheons & Annual Spring Mixer
  • Communications & Media

Economic Justice and Transformation

  • Advocacy, Representation & Community Policy Engagement
  • Vibrant Tribal Economies

Latest News & Updates

Keep up to date and enhance your knowledge with the latest information and opportunities.

Student Academic Awards

Financial assistance to our American Indian and Alaskan Native students seekingto use their education as a means of service.

American Indian & Alaskan Native students face a unique set of challenges in gaining access to college education and are one of the most underrepresented groups both in college and in the degree-holding population. NWNC is dedicated to improving Native student access to higher education by reducing barriers and providing critical financial support.

All SA2 awards are based on need, community impact, and student success. NWNC affirms the importance of legacy, and is committed to supporting our students through the life of their academic career.

Please Note:

For the 2023-2024 academic year, awards will range from $2,500 – $5,000, and will be determined by NWNC’s Board of Directors. The number of awards vary each year, depending upon available funding. The 2023-2024 Student Academic Award (SA2) will be presented at NWNC’s 18th Annual Gathering this fall. Award recipients must be able to attend NWNC’s Annual Gathering to receive their scholarship award.

Requirements

Eligibility

Selection Criteria

Ready to Apply?

Want to be a Sponsor?

Business Highlight: Kanaine

Kanaine is indigenously crafted in Oregon founded and created by Sydelle (Ipnaamawax). Sydelle comes from the Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Yakama (enrolled) people of Oregon and Washington. A full-time mom of three girls, and PhD student in Public Health at Oregon State University when not making the fine goods and apparel of Kanaine.

Sydelle strives to create designs that cross the line between wild western lifestyle and the street style. Each piece is sourced, cut, crafted, packaged and shipped from her home studio in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Her pieces are all limited one of a kind, handmade with care.

Sydelle says, "I love creating, collaborating, and every part of making handcrafted goodness. The business has given me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, experience new and exciting places, and provide for my family while pursuing my doctoral studies; not only does it provide stability, but a vision of what can be accomplished with hard work and persistence, just like my mom and dad gave to me."