The Northwest Native Chamber (NWNC) has been known by many names over the years. We were first known as The Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce (ONACC) upon our founding in 1994, later the Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC) in 2008 when we became a 501(c)3, and now as The Northwest Native Chamber upon our expansion into Washington and Idaho.

We were founded in 1994 by Mitch Conley, a citizen of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR). Mitch worked with tribal leader Clyde Stryker to explore the need and opportunities for a Native Chamber in Oregon. Mitch ended up leaving CTGR before his vision became a reality. Clyde Stryker, in partnership with fellow CTGR citizen Shelly Hansen, organized the first ONAC meeting, held at Willamette University in Salem. With the initial fiscal support of CTGR, ONACC was able to gain non profit status in 1995.

Our organization came into being to fulfill the needs of Native entrepreneurs in Oregon, providing a place to network and meet other Native business owners, and to provide resources for business growth. That ethos grew and adapted throughout the last 30 years into one of the most effective Native American Chambers in the United States.

Through a variety of programming we are able to provide no-cost wrap-around technical assistance services to businesses at nearly every stage of their business growth. Through the pillars of relationship building, education and growth, and economic justice and transformation the chamber has grown beyond the borders of Oregon into Washington and Idaho.

NWNC serves all members of the community with culturally specific services that are designed by and for Native entrepreneurs. Our purpose is to re-create an economy where all members of the community can flourish beyond the economic and social disadvantages that have impeded all communities of color in the United States.