Northwest Native Apex Accelerator
About Us
The Northwest Native APEX Accelerator provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments, to American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native-Hawaiian owned businesses, Tribes, Tribal Enterprises, who wish to participate in the government marketplace. We offer in-depth training and support for government procurement endeavors through in-person and virtual workshops, seminars, and webinars. Our services cater to Natives in the Oregon, Washington, and Idaho regions.
Understanding of Procurement: It’s important to understand “how” the government buys what you sell, because there are actually many different ways the government can procure a good/service (purchase cards, single purchases, long-term contracts, blanket agreements, group purchasing consortia, GSA schedules, etc.). Knowing how your product/service is typically purchased can help you appropriately position and market your company.
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.
Meet Our Staff
The Northwest Native APEX Accelerator Team can help you tap into the federal/state marketplace. Northwest Native APEX Accelerator tracks local, state, and federal bid opportunities, and alerts you to those that match your product and service profile. The Northwest Native APEX Accelerator can help take your business to the next level with our free one-on-one procurement advising, training & network
Select a staff member’s image to learn more about them!
MICHELLE RAMEY, CBA
Program Manager
She/her, Lummi Descendent
Tony Sierra
Program Coordinator
He/Him, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
