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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Deb Echo-Hawk, founder of the Pawnee Seed Preservation Society, shares that returning to our traditional lands to farm and banking our Indigenous seeds, is a form of reconciliation. #2026IndigenousPeoplesSummit

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Justin Alexander, Omaha Nation, in the Native Governance Center’s Rebuilder Program, shares an app in development to provide transparency for tribal government and to empower informed citizens. #2026IndigenousPeoplesSummit

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

We encourage entrepreneurship. We invest in the workforce. We want to diversify our economy. We want to keep dollars on the reservation. Just 6 years after McGirt, we are focused on the future. Our ancestors were forced to come here, but they made the best of it. We are continuing that work. -Hecox

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Matthew Hecox, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, discusses the $1.4B economic impact of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation which provides thousands of jobs and pays millions in wages.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Chief Standing Bear, Prof. Crepelle, and AICC OK advisor Mike McBride talk about improving legal systems in Indian Country. “We’re working with people who are economically oppressed, “says Standing Bear. Providing equal access to justice requires social and political change.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Between sessions, Professor Crepelle signs a copy of Becoming Nations Again for another tribal judge.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Mike McBride reminds us that fairness is a best practice because it fosters trust, helps us build relationships, and ensures greater stability.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

This morning, we’re fortunate to have American Indian Chamber of Commerce Oklahoma advisor Mike McBride III explore evolving definitions and boundaries of Indian Country and how that has shaped tribal legal frameworks and economic development.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Good morning from the banks of the Arkansas River where we are about to kick off day 2 of Doing Business on Tribal Lands.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Tribes need good governance laws. Your procurement laws need to be clear, enforceable, and transparent. - Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, who just stepped down as principal chief to let the next generation lead the Osage Nation

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Why do I say “tribal nations” instead of “tribes?” I’m proud of my Osage ancestors that advocated for our rights and emphasized that we were& are the Osage Nation, capital “N.” - Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, who just stepped down as principal chief to let the next generation lead the Osage Nation

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Joe Austin describes the importance of tribal law and infrastructure to foster private sector development on the reservation. Creating navigable pathways means fewer obstacles and more opportunity.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Entrepreneurship changed my life. It helped me understand my own sovereignty as an individual and control my own destiny. It gave me freedom. We’ve got to find ways to help our people get there. - Jacob Keyes, Chair, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; Founder, Skydance Brewing

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

You can read the full text of Crepelle’s “Lies, Damn Lies, and Federal Indian Law” in @NYULaw’s Review of Law & Social Change Volume 44, Issue 4. socialchangenyu.com/review/lies-...

socialchangenyu.com

Lies, Damn Lies, and Federal Indian Law: The Ethics of Citing Racist Precedent in Contemporary Federal Indian Law | N.Y.U. Review of Law & Social Change

Recommendations on how to purge racism from federal Indian law.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Our first session this morning is Adam Crepelle’s “Lies, Damn Lies, and Federal Indian Law,” in which he walks us through the long history of legal ethics and the longer history of international trade networks in what we now call the Americas.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Thank you to the women warriors of the Muscogee Nation for standing the colors. And to Nathan Hart for the welcome benediction.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Good morning from the Muscogee Nation where are we getting ready to kick off Doing Business on Tribal Lands, a workshop on navigating and streamlining tribal commercial law and other institutions important for fostering entrepreneurship.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Greetings, Tulsa! There are still seats left at Doing Business in Indian Country next week at River Spirit. Join us & hear from: Joe Austin Adam Crepelle Jacob Keyes Debbie Lindsey Mike McBride Geoffrey Standing Bear CLE credits available For details & to register: tribalcommlaw26.eventbrite.com

tribalcommlaw26.eventbrite.com

Doing Business on Tribal Lands: It's Not That Complicated

Learn practical tools on how to navigate tribal commercial law, sovereignty, governance, and doing business in Indian Country.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Can Native nations transform reservations from the most heavily regulated areas in the United States into islands of liberty? youtu.be/Gu0nBiEArkc?...

youtu.be

Becoming Nations Again | A Book Forum Featuring Adam Crepelle

YouTube video by Competitive Enterprise Institute

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

“For every problem, there’s a solution. You’ve just got to find it,” says Chief Standing Bear. After serving as Principal Chief of the Osage Nation for 12 years, Standing Bear is passing the torch to the next generation. “Our younger people are more than capable.” www.kosu.org/geoffrey-sta...

kosu.org

Outgoing Osage Nation leader reflects on 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' COVID and more

Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear reflected on his role in land acquisition, Killers of the Flower Moon and cultural preservation with KOSU last week.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Join us at River Spirit in July for Doing Business on Tribal Lands. - Learn how to navigate tribal commercial law - Connect with others doing business in Indian Country - Earn CLE credits

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Are you an entrepreneur, contractor, educator, researcher, policymaker, or attorney interested in economic development in Indian Country? Join us for this two-day workshop. www.eventbrite.com/e/doing-busi...

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

New, long-sought agreement recognizes hat the Southern Ute Tribe has “the expertise & the governance systems to manage our resources responsibly while advancing the well-being of our Tribal Members and safeguarding our land, water & culture.” lasvegassun.com/news/2026/ma...

lasvegassun.com

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Celebrates Historic Signing of Tribal Energy Resource Agreement

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

“Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is extending its push into high-profile hospitality assets with a new agreement to acquire a landmark Southern California hotel, building on a series of recent investments outside gaming.”

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

We are redefining “what treatment looks like from an Indigenous lens.” We use “the land as a resource as part of treatment…. We also will be incorporating workforce development but it's all grounded in the mission to help heal our community.” tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/eco...

tribalbusinessnews.com

IN SERVICE | Emily Edenshaw leads Ketchikan Indian Community with focus on healing and workforce development

Emily Edenshaw, CEO of the Ketchikan Indian Community, is advancing culturally grounded health care and workforce development, shaped by her own experience with generational trauma and recovery.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Judge Blake, a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, devoted his life’s work to strengthening tribal courts and supporting justice systems in Indian Country. mailchi.mp/naicja/in-me...

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Tribal governments can find model codes to adapt/adopt to encourage private investment & rez-based entrepreneurship. To ensure access to justice, we need legally trained attorneys. To retain talent, we need adequate infrastructure that allows young families to secure housing & services.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

For some tribes, anti-trust laws are important to foster private sector development (in addition to tribally-owned business). Other tribes can work toward transparency in tribal laws and court rulings. The Osage Nation offers a best-in-class model.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Today, we’re wrapping up the workshop with our Adventures in Indian Country panel feat. Justice Drent, Prof. Crepelle, & Dr. Austin. There are many stories from Indian Country about lost potential. How can Native nations develop & retain talent, secure investment & foster Native entrepreneurship?

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

To explore these elements further, you can read Miller’s 2019 article in the BYU Law Review.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Miller’s elements of private sector development: 1. Financial literacy 2. Human capital 3. Create entrepreneurs 4. Funding private biz 5. Tribal & federal Buy Indian acts 6. Legal infrastructure 7. Physical infrastructure 8. Human & financial capital investments 9. Social welfare orgs

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

What are your favorite orgs that support Native entrepreneurs?

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Miller recommends a handful of non-profit organizations that, like The ACES School, support tribal governments and Native entrepreneurs. If you don’t already know ONABEN, Lakota Funds, and the Four Bands Community Fund, look into the work they do.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

While many Native nations are experiencing economic revivals, other Native nations have work to do. Governing institutions matter for economic development and so do entrepreneurs and NGOs.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

“Poverty is not a cultural trait.” Prof. Miller reminds us that traditional Indigenous communities were prosperous and self-sustaining.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

“For generations, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe has persevered, living in harmony with the land and passing down traditions with pride. They have weathered the storms with honor, in unity, holding tight to their independence and culture.”

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

“We do not have a song for defeat.” Good morning from the Cowlitz Nation. We are grateful to the Forever People for hosting us this week.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Good morning from the Cowlitz Nation, where, “for generations, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe has persevered, living in harmony with the land and passing down traditions with pride. They have weathered the storms with honor, in unity, holding tight to their independence and culture.”

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

In Indian Country, cultural competency is an important component and can be baked into employee training to help make sure values are aligned.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

From recruitment and acquisition, through onboarding, ongoing training, and workplace culture, good HR policies and practices don’t just improve efficiency and boost profits, they can affect the health and well-being of everyone on your team.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

WT* Does HR Have to Do With Making Money? Alejandra Mojado (Cherokee Nation) explores legal considerations in employment practices, workplace compliance, and personnel management that affect organizational stability and economic success.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Standardizing and streamlining processes on the reservation helps minimize risk for lenders. A business-friendly legal framework also generates revenue (in the form of business taxes) for the tribal government. This is fiscal power.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

This is new. Pre-contact Indigenous trade networks were robust and expansive. We knew how to do business. To restore sovereignty and prosperity for Native nations, we should restore our Indigenous trade networks.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Joe Austin’s session focuses on tribal code reform as an important first step toward private sector development in Indian Country. He takes us on the Byzantine journey of starting a business on the Navajo Nation. The costly, complicated process => fewer services for people who live on reservation.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

The goals are consistency, clarity, transparency, accessibility, forward motion, and protecting a stable and independent judiciary.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

In addition to relying on the law itself, tribal courts look at overlapping jurisdictions, and common-law interpretations that are consistent with community values, customs, and traditions.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

As the complexity of Native communities’ economies increased, so have tribal courts increased their access to tools and techniques to better meet the needs of the community.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

There are approximately 400 tribal courts and justice systems currently functioning throughout the country. These court systems have court rules and procedures to govern criminal and civil matters involving tribal members, businesses, and activity conducted on tribal lands.

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The ACES School @acesschool.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Chief Justice Meredith Trent (Osage Nation) examines the role of tribal courts in economic development, variations among tribal courts, dispute resolution options, and best practices for a sound investment climate.

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